# The Noble House of Brattleby Announces Historical Initiative Honouring the De la Haye Dynasty
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today announced a significant scholarly initiative to honour the medieval De la Haye dynasty. Under the patronage of the Baroness of Brattleby, the project celebrates their pivotal role as Barons and as Constables of Lincoln Castle.
## The Occasion
The announcement signifies the formal commencement of a comprehensive scholarly reappraisal of one of the most consequential periods in the history of the Barony of Brattleby. As autumn lends its historic colour to the Lincolnshire landscape, the House undertakes this project, patronised by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, to illuminate a story of immense importance to both the county and the Kingdom.
This wide-ranging initiative will be anchored by two principal outcomes: the commissioning of a major, peer-reviewed monograph and the development of a proposed public exhibition within Lincolnshire. The objective is to present the remarkable legacy of the De la Haye family, particularly that of the celebrated 5th Baron, Nichola de la Haye, with the academic rigour and public dignity that her memory commands.
The project reaffirms the commitment of the Noble House of Brattleby to its role not merely as a contemporary title-holder, but as an active and dutiful custodian of the Barony’s near-millennial narrative. It is an undertaking that marries archival precision with a profound desire to share this compelling part of England’s story with a wider, contemporary audience.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, is first documented as *Bretebi* in the Domesday Book of 1086. This great survey records its 56 constituent lordships in Lincolnshire as being held by the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, a Norman tenant-in-chief instrumental in securing the new King’s authority in the region. It was, however, the subsequent tenure of the De la Haye family that provided a remarkable chapter of medieval power, loyalty, and resilience.
For over a century, the family’s destiny was inextricably linked to the defence and administration of Lincoln Castle, one of the Crown’s most important northern strongholds. The most distinguished figure of this era, and indeed in the Barony’s long history, was Nichola de la Haye. Inheriting the barony as the 5th Baron and Hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle, Nichola was a formidable chatelaine who held the fortress for King John during the Magna Carta crisis and the ensuing First Barons' War.
Her steadfastness culminated in the famous defence of Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and their French allies, a feat instrumental in the decisive royalist victory at the Second Battle of Lincoln in 1217. This tradition of service to the Crown continued through the Barony’s lineage, which later passed through marriage to Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), created the 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently to his celebrated son-in-law, the Plantagenet prince John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
## Distinguished Company
The successful realisation of this historical project depends upon a close collaboration between the Noble House of Brattleby and leading academic and curatorial experts. To ensure the initiative’s unimpeachable scholarly integrity, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan have established a board of academic advisors.
The principal advisors formally engaged to guide the project include, *inter alia*: - Dr Alistair Finch, Fellow in Medieval History at the University of Lincoln, a noted authority on Angevin England and the period of the Barons' Wars. - Mrs Eleanor Cadwallader, Director of Collections for the Lincoln Museum Service, whose curatorial expertise in the material culture and manuscript archives of thirteenth-century Lincolnshire will be invaluable.
The project is therefore constituted as a model partnership between a noble house exercising its duty of historical stewardship and the public institutions dedicated to the scholarly preservation of regional and national heritage. The guidance of these distinguished experts will be essential in navigating the primary source material, from royal charters to entries in the *Chronica Majora* of Matthew Paris.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In keeping with the standards maintained by the world’s foremost historical and cultural institutions, this initiative will adhere to a strict academic and curatorial protocol. All research funded by the House will be subject to rigorous, independent peer-review, and any resulting publications will be produced to the highest archival standards, ensuring their longevity and value to future scholars. This commitment to scholarly integrity is the *sine qua non* of the entire undertaking.
The final monograph will be published under the imprimatur of the House of Brattleby, signifying that the work has been officially sanctioned by the 12th Baroness and meets the exacting criteria established by its academic advisors. Any exhibitions or public displays will be curated to museum-quality standards, with careful attention paid to the provenance and interpretation of all artefacts and documents.
Official announcements regarding the publication schedule and the formal opening of the exhibition will be made in due course through the established channels of the Noble House of Brattleby. This formal process is designed to ensure the resulting work is recognised as a definitive contribution to scholarship, distinct from popular history and worthy of its profound subject.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
This historical project is deeply informed by the mottos that govern the House and its principals. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), directly evokes the documented actions of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye. Her resolute defence of Lincoln Castle, under great personal duress and against formidable military odds, serves as a flawless embodiment of exercising power. Here, 'Fortitudo' represents not only physical courage but the moral strength and endurance required of leadership, while 'Honor' speaks to the feudal concept of unwavering duty to one's sovereign.
This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). Within the context of this project, the motto is interpreted not in a martial sense, but as an intellectual and cultural directive. It speaks to the vital importance of actively engaging with the past—of 'conquering' the obscurity of time and the risk of misunderstanding, so that the lessons and inspirations of history may 'live' on. It is this dynamic spirit that animates the House’s modern mission to make its unique heritage relevant.
## Philanthropic Purpose
True to its foundational principles of service, the Noble House of Brattleby has directed that this historical initiative shall also serve a clear philanthropic purpose. A significant portion of the net proceeds from the global sale of the forthcoming publication will be donated to Healing the Wounded Child, the designated beneficiary of the House's annual Winter Banquet.
Healing the Wounded Child is a registered British charity dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic support to children and young people who have experienced trauma, abuse, or profound neglect. Through psychotherapy and trauma-informed care programs delivered in partnership with schools and local authorities, the organisation helps vulnerable young people rebuild their lives.
The House believes that a powerful synergy exists between honouring figures of historical resilience, such as the 5th Baron, and supporting the development of that same inner strength in the most vulnerable young people in society today. This commitment ensures that the legacy of the past contributes directly to the welfare of the future.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the profound responsibility of the initiative, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > The tenure of this Barony is a privilege of custodianship, connecting the present day to nearly a millennium of English history. The story of Nichola de la Haye, my predecessor in a direct line of title, is not merely a footnote; it is a profound testament to female leadership and fealty to the Crown which continues to inspire. It is our solemn responsibility to ensure such legacies are preserved and understood with the clarity they deserve.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > History gains its true value when it informs the present and inspires the future. Through this project, we apply our family motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, to the task of bringing a pivotal chapter of Lincolnshire’s history to light for a new generation. By connecting our past with our present philanthropic work, we hope to demonstrate that honouring history and serving the community are two sides of the same coin of duty.
## A Continuing Legacy
The De la Haye initiative stands as a cornerstone of the cultural programme of the Noble House of Brattleby for the coming years. It is anticipated that the scholarly monograph, following the completion of its research and peer-review phases, will be ready for publication in late 2024. Proposals for a public exhibition, to be hosted at a notable Lincolnshire venue, are projected to follow in 2025, with formal discussions already underway.
This project proceeds in parallel with the House’s other established commitments. These include the continued international development of The Brattleby Club, its highly regarded etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest, and the meticulous planning for the annual white-tie Winter Banquet in London, which remains the House’s primary philanthropic focus. Together, these activities form a coherent and sustained vision of a noble house dedicated to tradition, service, and contemporary relevance in the twenty-first century.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern seat of the Barony of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. The House is dedicated to the responsible stewardship of one of England’s ancient titles, which traces its origins to the Norman Conquest. Its contemporary mission is twofold: to preserve and promote the rich, nine-century history of the Barony through scholarly and cultural initiatives; and to leverage its position for focused philanthropic endeavour. With a primary focus on children’s welfare and educational development, the House actively supports charitable organisations in the United Kingdom and fosters cultural diplomacy through ventures such as The Brattleby Club (Bucharest), a leading European etiquette and protocol academy.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a Feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower and tenant-in-chief, Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence, lands, and initial holder are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over the course of nine centuries, the title has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, passing from its Norman origins into the heart of the Plantagenet court. Notable predecessors in title include the formidable Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron); and his son-in-law, the influential Prince John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The Barony's legal and historical standing was formally acknowledged by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s modern legal standing is recorded by The Crown in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby and its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron and Hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle) and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile's personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com