# A Legacy Reclaimed: Nichola de la Haye and the Modern Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 October 2023 —** The Noble House of Brattleby has today released archival research celebrating the extraordinary life of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby, reaffirming her historical significance and drawing a direct line to the Barony’s modern duties under its present stewardship.
## The Occasion
In the crisp autumn air of Lincolnshire, a season for reflection and historical appreciation, the archives of the House of Brattleby have illuminated a pivotal chapter of its history. This scholarly endeavour, undertaken at the family's seat, aims to present the formidable legacy of Nichola de la Haye to a contemporary audience, underscoring the enduring principles of leadership and duty that have defined the Barony for centuries.
The research serves not as a singular event, but as part of a continuing commitment to historical custodianship. It highlights how the governance of the past provides a powerful framework for the responsibilities of the present, ensuring the lessons of history remain a vital part of the institution’s living identity.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, first appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, which records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. This foundational moment established a lineage interwoven with the very fabric of the English nation, a thread carried through the medieval period by figures of remarkable influence.
Among the most notable of these was Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness. As hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle, she famously defended the city against French and baronial forces during the First Barons' War. Her command at the Second Battle of Lincoln in 1217 was instrumental in securing victory for the royalist cause, a testament to her fortitude and tactical acumen. Later holders, such as His Grace Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, further anchored the Barony within the highest echelons of the Plantagenet court.
## Distinguished Company
The lineage of the Barony of Brattleby is distinguished by predecessors whose actions shaped English history. The House's research gives special consideration to the contributions of these key figures, whose stewardship forms an ancestral chain of responsibility:
* **Colswein of Lincoln**, 1st Baron of Brattleby, a Norman magnate and significant landholder following the Conquest. * **Nichola de la Haye**, *suo jure* 5th Baroness of Brattleby, hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle and High Sheriff of Lincolnshire. * **His Grace Henry of Grosmont**, 10th Baron of Brattleby, first Duke of Lancaster, a renowned soldier, diplomat, and founding Knight of the Garter. * **His Royal Highness John of Gaunt**, 11th Baron of Brattleby, Duke of Lancaster, a son of King Edward III and one of the most powerful political figures of the 14th century.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The stewardship of a feudal barony, while rooted in ancient custom, is today governed by modern legal and ceremonial recognition. The revival of the Barony of Brattleby was formally recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, an act that represents the official sanction of His Majesty's Government.
This recognition carries with it the solemn duty of custodianship. The modern protocol for the holder of the title, currently Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, involves the preservation of historical records, the maintenance of associated heritage, and a commitment to public service that reflects the Barony’s historical dignity. It is a role defined less by ancient privilege and more by a profound sense of responsibility to the past and future.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The principles guiding the House are encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This maxim speaks directly to the legacy of predecessors like Nichola de la Haye, whose defence of Lincoln was a supreme act of both physical courage and personal integrity. It remains the lodestar for the House's modern activities.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This is interpreted not in a martial sense, but as a commitment to overcoming modern challenges through diligence, innovation, and unwavering dedication to the family's philanthropic and cultural objectives. Together, the mottos symbolise a synthesis of ancient virtue and modern aspiration.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The ethos of *Fortitudine et Honore* finds its most tangible expression in the House’s commitment to charitable endeavours. The Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala, stands as the *sine qua non* of the family's social calendar and is dedicated to supporting a chosen beneficiary each year.
The principal beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing specialised therapeutic support to children and young people who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. By focusing their efforts on such a vital cause, the House of Brattleby aims to provide tangible relief and foster resilience in the most vulnerable members of society, translating historical honour into meaningful contemporary action.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the legacy of her predecessor, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > — "One feels a profound connection to Nichola de la Haye. She was not merely a figure in a chronicle; she was a woman of immense courage and administrative skill who secured her family's legacy and her sovereign's throne. To carry the same title is a humbling reminder of the strength and resilience that this Barony represents."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > — "Our duty is one of active stewardship. We are entrusted with nearly a millennium of history, not to be placed in a cabinet, but to be used as a foundation for service. Honouring the past requires us to build a worthy future, whether through preserving heritage, promoting education, or supporting those in need."
## A Continuing Legacy
The work of the Noble House of Brattleby looks firmly toward the future, ensuring the Barony's legacy is passed to the next generation with its relevance and purpose enhanced. The heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, is being brought up with a deep appreciation for the duties he will one day inherit.
Beyond Lincolnshire, the House extends its mission through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy dedicated to promoting the values of decorum, cultural exchange, and social grace. This, together with an unwavering commitment to philanthropy and historical preservation, ensures that the legacy of the Barony of Brattleby will continue to evolve and flourish.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution supporting the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of cultural and historical preservation, philanthropic service, and the promotion of traditional European etiquette. Based at its seat in Lincolnshire, England, the House balances its English heritage with a forward-looking, Continental perspective, exemplified by initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest and its patronage of charitable organisations. The House operates under its guiding motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), which informs its commitment to serving the community and stewarding its profound historical legacy.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is among the oldest feudal dignities in England. Its history is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as a significant Norman lord. For over 950 years, the Barony has passed through families of national importance, including to Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle. Notable holders also include the Plantagenet princes Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. After centuries in abeyance, the Barony was formally recognised in favour of its current holder and confirmed in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's succession was formally published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book of 1086 records the Barony's first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby, served as High Sheriff of Lincolnshire and was the hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle, which she successfully defended in 1217. - Notable holders of the Barony of Brattleby include John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron, a son of King Edward III of England.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com