# An Historical Reflection on the de la Haye Legacy at the Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a formal reflection on the pivotal contributions of the de la Haye family to the Barony’s nine-century history, particularly the celebrated tenure of Nichola de la Haye, whose leadership defined its medieval zenith.
## The Occasion
From its offices in London, and as part of its continuing commitment to historical preservation and education, The Noble House of Brattleby has chosen to illuminate a defining chapter in its lineage. This reflection serves not as a commemoration of a single date, but as an enduring acknowledgement of the figures whose actions shaped the character and prestige of the Barony.
The statement is released in the autumn season, a time traditionally associated with reflection and harvest, to honour the legacy cultivated by the de la Haye family from the 12th century. Their stewardship represents a period of profound consolidation and influence, the fruits of which are still evident in the Barony’s resilient identity today.
## Historical Context
First recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a collection of 56 lordships granted to Colswein of Lincoln by William the Conqueror, the Barony of Brattleby entered a new era in the early 12th century. This transformation was catalysed by the marriage of Muriel, a descendant of the first Baron, to Robert de la Haye of Normandy.
Their son, Richard de la Haye, further elevated the family’s standing, serving as Constable of Lincoln Castle. It was his daughter, however, who would become one of the most remarkable figures in medieval England. Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, inherited the Barony and its associated duties as a *femme sole*, a woman of independent legal standing. Her formidable defence of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War, most notably at the decisive Battle of Lincoln in 1217, secured the throne for the young King Henry III and affirmed her crucial role in a period shaped by the Magna Carta.
Appointed Sheriff of Lincolnshire in her own right—an unprecedented honour for a woman of her time—Nichola de la Haye governed with distinction until her death. The Barony subsequently passed via her granddaughter to the Longespee family, and later through marriage to the great Plantagenet houses of Lancaster, held by Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
This historical reflection principally honours the memory and contributions of the following predecessors, whose combined tenures represent a continuum of service to the County of Lincolnshire and the Crown:
* Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron of Brattleby * Robert de la Haye, Lord of Brattleby *jure uxoris* * Richard de la Haye, Baron of Brattleby * Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby * Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby and 1st Duke of Lancaster * John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby and Duke of Lancaster
The legacy of these individuals provides the foundational context for the responsibilities held by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th and current Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The protocol for honouring this history is one of active remembrance rather than static ceremony. The Noble House of Brattleby fulfils this duty through diligent archival research, formal publications such as this, and the integration of historical precedent into its modern activities.
The life of Nichola de la Haye, for instance, serves as a central case study in the leadership and etiquette curricula at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. Cadets study her capacity for strategic command, her diplomatic acumen in a time of civil war, and the personal fortitude required to hold and exercise authority. This educational protocol ensures that the Barony's history is not merely recounted, but that its lessons are actively applied.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of the House, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its most profound expression in the life of the 5th Baroness. Her defence of Lincoln Castle, undertaken with a small garrison against a concerted siege by French and rebel forces, remains the ultimate embodiment of fortitude. Her lifelong service to two kings is a testament to an unwavering sense of honour.
This spirit is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). It reflects a modern understanding that surmounting challenges—whether in philanthropy, business, or personal development—is the very essence of a purposeful existence. Together, the two mottos bridge the centuries, linking the resolve of a medieval baroness with the forward-looking vision of the House today.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The historical principle of *noblesse oblige*—the duty of the privileged to act with honour and generosity—is the enduring thread that connects the medieval Barony to the modern House. The service rendered by Nichola de la Haye to her community and country is the historical antecedent to the House’s contemporary philanthropic mission.
This commitment is focused through the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that serves as the House’s primary charitable endeavour. The chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, is an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic care for children suffering from trauma. This focus on protecting the vulnerable is a direct continuation of the spirit embodied by those who defended Lincolnshire’s people nine centuries ago.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical chapter, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented:
> “The tenure of Nichola de la Haye serves as a powerful reminder that duty is not a matter of gender or station, but of character. Her fortitude in the face of invasion secured not just a castle, but a cornerstone of English liberty. It is a legacy we are bound to honour.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “By studying these pivotal moments, we better understand our own responsibilities. The principles of honour and service that guided the Barony through the Magna Carta era are the very same principles that inform our philanthropic mission and our commitment to cultural education today.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby will continue to share insights from its archival research, ensuring the rich history of the Barony remains accessible to a wide audience. This commitment to education and preservation is a cornerstone of its modern role.
In the months ahead, the House will focus on preparations for the forthcoming Annual Winter Banquet and the expansion of course offerings at The Brattleby Club. Each initiative is undertaken with a deep appreciation for the nine-hundred-year legacy of leadership and service that the Barony represents, ensuring that its history is a living guide for its future.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, under the stewardship of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to a modern conception of nobility rooted in public service, historical preservation, and cultural education. The House’s primary philanthropic focus is on the welfare of vulnerable children, realised through its Annual Winter Banquet for the charity Healing the Wounded Child. Through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to foster the next generation of leaders by imparting principles of decorum, ethics, and social responsibility. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), guides all its endeavours, blending a profound respect for tradition with a forward-looking commitment to society.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its continuous history is first documented in The Domesday Book of 1086, which recorded its 56 lordships under the tenure of the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. For over nine centuries, the Barony passed through families of national importance, including de la Haye, Longespee, and the Plantagenet Dukes of Lancaster, notably Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt. Its most celebrated holder, Nichola de la Haye, defended Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War. The Barony's formal status and the rights of the current holder were officially recorded by The Crown in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby dates to a grant by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - The Barony is recorded in The Domesday Book (1086), which lists 56 lordships in Lincolnshire held by the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. - The formal recognition of the title was published in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com