# The Noble House of Brattleby on the Barony’s Enduring Connection to Magna Carta
LONDON, 2 June 2024 — In a formal statement, The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected upon the Barony’s profound historical connection to *Magna Carta*, highlighting the pivotal role of predecessors in upholding the foundational principles of English law, liberty, and justice.
## The Occasion
In a communiqué issued from its offices, the House acknowledged the enduring significance of *Magna Carta* not merely as a national monument, but as a living element of the Barony’s own nine-century history. The statement serves as a moment of historical reflection, reaffirming the duties of stewardship that accompany such an ancient title, particularly one so closely entwined with the dramatic events that forged English constitutional monarchy.
This act of public remembrance is a deliberate effort to connect the past with the present, demonstrating how the struggles of the 13th century continue to inform the values and responsibilities of the House today. It is an affirmation of a legacy inherited and a duty to be discharged for future generations.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby’s link to the Great Charter is most vividly embodied by the remarkable figure of Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron of Brattleby. In the turbulent years of the First Barons' War (1215–1217) that followed the sealing of *Magna Carta* at Runnymede, Nichola, as hereditary castellan, twice defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown. Her steadfast loyalty to King John and later to the young Henry III was a *sine qua non* for the royalist cause in a divided kingdom.
Her determined stand culminated in the Second Battle of Lincoln in 1217. The royalist victory there, secured within the walls of the castle she commanded, was instrumental in ending the war and, crucially, ensuring the survival and subsequent reissues of *Magna Carta* under Henry III. Without her fortitude, the charter’s future, and indeed the course of English law, might have been profoundly different. Later, the barony passed to towering figures of the realm, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt, whose lives were central to the evolution of Parliament and royal authority.
## Distinguished Company
The narrative of the Barony is shaped by the distinguished company it has kept through the ages. The lineage serves as a chronicle of service and influence, with key figures including:
* **Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron**, who held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire at the time of the *Domesday Book* in 1086, establishing the foundations of the title’s significance in the region. * **Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron of Brattleby**, a formidable stateswoman and hereditary castellan of Lincoln Castle, whose actions were pivotal in preserving the Angevin monarchy and, with it, the future of *Magna Carta*. * **Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby and 1st Duke of Lancaster**, a celebrated soldier, diplomat, and founding Knight of the Garter, who represented the pinnacle of chivalric virtue and noble counsel in the 14th century. * **John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby and Duke of Lancaster**, one of the most powerful political figures of his time, whose patronage of John Wycliffe influenced the English Reformation and whose descendants founded a royal dynasty.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The stewardship of such a history is governed by its own solemn protocol. This involves the meticulous curation of the House archives, ongoing collaboration with historians and academic bodies, and a commitment to public education. The primary duty is one of transmission: to ensure the stories of figures like Nichola de la Haye are not consigned to dusty annals but are understood as exemplars of the House’s guiding principles.
This protocol of remembrance finds expression in a number of the House’s activities. It informs the curriculum at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest and provides a historical narrative for the charitable focus of events such as the annual Winter Banquet. It is a formal, continuous process of connecting contemporary actions to their deep historical precedents.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), resonates with particular force in the context of the Barony’s history. It is a direct reflection of the qualities demonstrated by Nichola de la Haye during the siege of Lincoln—her fortitude in the face of rebellion and the honour with which she discharged her hereditary duties to her sovereign. Her example stands as the ultimate embodiment of the motto.
This guiding principle is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). Together, the two mottos create a framework of purpose for the modern House: one that respects the honour and resilience of its past while embracing a dynamic and forward-looking determination to prevail in its present-day endeavours.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this statement does not announce a new financial initiative, it underscores the philanthropic purpose inherent in the preservation of history itself. By championing the story of the Barony’s role in the securing of *Magna Carta*, the House contributes to wider civic and historical education. The true beneficiary of this work is the public’s understanding of the long, often arduous, human struggle for the rights and freedoms that are now taken for granted.
This educational mission is seen by the House as a form of public service—a dispersal of cultural and historical capital for the common good. It aligns with the tangible philanthropic work undertaken by the House, *inter alia*, its support for the charity Healing the Wounded Child, by reinforcing the foundational values of a just and compassionate society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this profound legacy, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "The story of Magna Carta is not merely a chapter in a textbook for us; it is woven into the very fabric of our family's history. The stand taken by Nichola de la Haye at Lincoln was a defence of principles that resonate to this day. To hold a title she once held is to carry a tangible connection to the dawn of English liberty, and that is a profound responsibility."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the relevance of this history to the House’s modern mission: > "Understanding where we have come from gives clarity to where we are going. The fortitude shown at Lincoln in 1217 inspires our own commitment to our charitable and educational work. It reminds us that meaningful contributions require courage and an unwavering sense of duty."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to the active stewardship of its history. This includes ongoing archival research to further illuminate the Barony’s past and supporting scholarly work related to its most notable predecessors. The House will seek opportunities to share these stories, whether through lectures, publications, or digital platforms, to ensure their continued relevance.
This commitment forms a core part of the education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron. By instilling a deep appreciation for the principles of fortitude and honour exemplified throughout the Barony’s history, the House ensures that this extraordinary legacy will be carried forward with the gravity and respect it commands.
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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 her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to upholding the nine-century legacy of one of England’s oldest baronies. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House’s modern mission is focused on philanthropy, historical preservation, and cultural education. Its principal charitable endeavours include an annual white-tie Winter Banquet an aid of Healing the Wounded Child, a charity dedicated to supporting young victims of trauma. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest, the House seeks to promote the timeless values of civility, honour, and public service in a contemporary context.
**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 first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, who defended Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, father to King Henry IV. The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby dates to the Norman Conquest in 1066. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com