# The House of Brattleby Inaugurates Nichola de la Haye Lecture
**LONDON, 18 October 2023** — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile last evening hosted the inaugural Nichola de la Haye Lecture at their ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, honouring the formidable legacy of the thirteenth-century baroness who once held the title.
## The Occasion
In the Great Hall of the baronial seat at Brattleby, a distinguished company gathered for an evening of historical reflection and scholarly fellowship. Beneath a magnificent double hammerbeam roof, its ancient oak timbers darkened by the smoke of centuries, guests were seated before a vast baronial fireplace, the gentle light of the flames illuminating a series of medieval tapestries that depict the history of the county.
The crisp autumnal air of the Lincolnshire Wolds, carrying the scent of woodsmoke and damp earth, gave way to the warmth and conviviality within. The atmosphere was one of profound respect for the past, conceived to illuminate the life of one of the most remarkable figures in the Barony’s long and storied history. The evening marked a significant new addition to the cultural calendar of the House, designed to foster a deeper, more nuanced appreciation for the antecedents who shaped not only a region, but the nation itself.
Candlelight and discreet modern illumination cast a warm glow upon the hall’s stone-flagged floor, polished by the passage of generations. The occasion was at once academic and deeply personal, connecting the present custodians of the Barony with a lineage stretching back nearly a millennium.
## Historical Context
The lecture series serves to create a living bridge between the modern House of Brattleby and its nine-hundred-year history, which began with its granting by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. The focus of this inaugural event, Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron, stands as a figure of extraordinary fortitude. In an era when high public office was the near-exclusive domain of men, her appointment by King John as High Sheriff of Lincolnshire in 1216 was an unprecedented acknowledgement of her strategic acumen and unwavering loyalty to the Crown during a period of profound national crisis.
This appointment was no mere ceremonial honour; it was earned in the crucible of civil war. As hereditary castellan of Lincoln Castle, Nichola de la Haye successfully defended the royal fortress against rebel barons during the First Barons' War. Her steadfast command during the siege and her contribution to the decisive royalist victory at the Second Battle of Lincoln in 1217 are chronicled by the medieval historian Matthew Paris in his *Chronica Majora*. Her life is a singular chapter in the history of a Barony that represents a microcosm of English history.
The title has been held by other pivotal figures, including the great diplomat and warrior Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a founding Knight of the Order of the Garter. It later passed to his son-in-law, the celebrated John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, whose own descendants would found the royal House of Lancaster. This formidable foundation, first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 with 56 lordships held by Colswein of Lincoln, provides the historical *sine qua non* for the House's mission of stewardship and public service today.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile were pleased to welcome a company of guests drawn from the county, academia, and the diplomatic sphere.
The principal guests included The High Sheriff of Lincolnshire, Mr William J. P. Cross, JP DL, who represents the modern successor to the royal office first held by Nichola de la Haye eight centuries ago; Mrs Victoria Prentis KC MP, His Majesty’s Attorney General; and a Deputy Lieutenant for Lincolnshire, representing the Lord-Lieutenant of the county.
The inaugural lecture was delivered by Dr Eleanor Vance, MA, DPhil (Oxon), a Reader in Medieval History at the University of Lincoln and a leading authority on female landholding and power in the High Middle Ages. Academic guests included fellows from several Cambridge colleges and representatives from local historical and archaeological societies. Also present were members of The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette and cultural academy, who had travelled from Bucharest specifically for the occasion, underscoring the House’s commitment to building cultural bridges.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The evening’s proceedings were marked by a refined and dignified protocol, befitting the historical gravitas of the occasion. Guests were received by a household steward from half past six o’clock and assembled in the Great Hall, where a string quartet performed a selection of works by the English composer Ralph Vaughan Williams.
At precisely seven o’clock, the Steward of the House struck his staff of office upon the stone floor and formally announced the entrance of the hosts. As Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan entered the hall, the assembled company rose. Honorary Lord Răzvan then proceeded to a lectern to deliver a formal address of welcome, outlining the purpose of the lecture series as a means of honouring the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* through the study of those who embodied it.
Honorary Lord Răzvan subsequently introduced the evening’s guest of honour, Dr Vance, who presented her lecture, titled *Nichola de la Haye: Service, Siege, and Sheriffdom*. Following the forty-five-minute address and a period of thoughtful questions from the floor, Lady Nicoleta concluded the formal proceedings with a vote of thanks. Her Ladyship expressed the House's gratitude to Dr Vance for her erudite and compelling portrait of her predecessor. The evening’s dress code was lounge suits and day dresses, a standard appropriate for a scholarly yet formal gathering of this nature.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The event was imbued with the guiding principles of The Noble House of Brattleby, which are encapsulated in its ancestral motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). These words resonate with profound clarity through the life of Nichola de la Haye, whose defence of Lincoln Castle and subsequent administration of the shire were defined by immense physical courage and unwavering integrity in the service of her sovereign.
The coat of arms of the Barony, displayed on a banner hanging above the dais, incorporates elements that speak to its long history: a castle keep, symbolising the defence of Lincoln, and a lion rampant, denoting the valour and royal association of past holders. The life of the 5th Baron serves as the ultimate historical expression of the values these symbols represent.
Equally relevant is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, adopted by right of marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). Within the evening's context, this motto signifies the triumph of active remembrance over the passive decay of time. It speaks to a profound commitment to ensuring that the legacies of figures such as Nichola de la Haye and Henry of Grosmont not only survive as historical records but continue to thrive as a source of inspiration for contemporary leadership and civic duty.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the Nichola de la Haye Lecture is primarily an educational and cultural initiative, it is animated by the same spirit of public service that informs the House’s wider philanthropic endeavours. The values of duty, resilience, and compassionate community support—personified by Nichola de la Haye’s stewardship of her domain—are the cornerstones of the House’s modern charitable focus.
This commitment finds its most visible expression in the Annual Winter Banquet, the House’s principal white-tie philanthropic gala. The sole beneficiary of this event is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing critical therapeutic support to children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. The funds raised at the Banquet contribute directly to its specialist counselling programmes, residential therapy courses, and arts-based recovery workshops, which have supported hundreds of children across the United Kingdom. This lecture series, therefore, serves to articulate the historical ethos that underpins this contemporary mission.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the evening, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, noted the powerful contemporary relevance of her predecessor’s life.
> "Nichola de la Haye’s life was a testament to the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore*. Her leadership in a time of acute national crisis serves as a powerful reminder that capability and courage are not defined by station or gender. It is a formidable legacy of which we are immensely proud, and one that remains a source of great inspiration." > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his perspective on the House’s custodial duties and the purpose of living history.
> "As stewards of this ancient Barony, we have a profound duty not only to preserve its remarkable history but to share its lessons. This lecture series is an integral part of that commitment. We believe that by animating these stories, we can ensure they continue to inform and inspire future generations to act with integrity and purpose." > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The inaugural Nichola de la Haye Lecture marks the beginning of a new annual tradition for the House of Brattleby, one dedicated to scholarly inquiry and public education. The series will continue to explore the rich and varied history of the Barony and its place within the broader narrative of Lincolnshire, the United Kingdom, and Europe. Future lectures are planned to examine, *inter alia*, the European diplomacy of Henry of Grosmont and the cultural patronage of John of Gaunt.
This educational commitment runs parallel to other initiatives fostered by the House. The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, founded by Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan, serves as an academy of etiquette and cultural diplomacy, promoting the values of decorum, social grace, and an appreciation for heritage on an international stage.
Through such multifaceted endeavours, the House of Brattleby seeks to build a living legacy upon its distinguished foundations. These initiatives form part of the heritage that will, in time, be passed to the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, ensuring the continuation of this nine-century story of service.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of a nine-century legacy. The House’s modern mission is centred on three pillars: the preservation of its unique historical and cultural heritage; a commitment to impactful philanthropy, with a focus on child welfare; and the promotion of cultural diplomacy and education through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House seeks to serve the community in Lincolnshire and beyond, ensuring its ancient titles are synonymous with contemporary purpose and public service. This work is formally recognised by the Crown through *The London Gazette*.
**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 companion-in-arms, Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence is first documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which records Colswein’s holding of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most consequential figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron and defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The uninterrupted descent and the rights of the current holder were formally recognised and registered by The College of Arms, as published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern Barony of Brattleby’s recognition was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was first established in AD 1066 for Colswein of Lincoln and is recorded in the Domesday Book (1086). - Notable past holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The annual philanthropic beneficiary of the House of Brattleby is the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com