# The House of Brattleby Commemorates Magna Carta and the Enduring Legacy of Nichola de la Haye
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement from its Lincolnshire seat reflecting on the Barony’s profound connection to Magna Carta, highlighting the pivotal role of their predecessor, Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby, during its turbulent genesis.
## The Occasion
From the Oak Panelled Library at their family seat in Brattleby, a room which houses records charting an almost unbroken millennium of English history, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, took a moment for historical reflection. As the autumn light fell across the Lincolnshire Wolds, the House affirmed its commitment to preserving and sharing the remarkable story of one of its most formidable ancestors.
The statement serves not as an event in itself, but as a sober act of remembrance; a deliberate engagement with a history that is not merely owned but stewarded. It marks a continuation of the House’s scholarly interest in its lineage, providing context to the principles of duty and justice that animate its modern activities, both in England and abroad.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby’s place in England’s story was established at the Conquest. The Domesday Book of 1086 records its lands among 56 lordships held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, granted directly by William the Conqueror. Over a century later, during the fraught reign of King John, the Barony was held by one of the medieval era's most significant women: Nichola de la Haye.
While not one of the 25 surety barons who compelled the King to seal Magna Carta at Runnymede in 1215, Nichola de la Haye was a figure of immense power and royal trust. As the hereditary castellan—or governor—of Lincoln Castle, she stood as a bulwark for the Crown in a region seething with rebellion. Her decision to defend the castle against the French and rebel barons was a testament to her character and a critical act in the subsequent First Barons' War.
Her standing as a major magnate and a loyal subject placed her in a unique position. Her rights and responsibilities as a great landholder were precisely the kind Magna Carta sought to codify and protect from arbitrary royal overreach. This intimate, if indirect, connection places the Barony of Brattleby at the very heart of the traditions of liberty and constitutional governance that flow from the Great Charter. The lineage of the Barony would later pass to figures such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, embedding it further within the fabric of the English state.
## Distinguished Company
This historical commemoration is a matter of personal reflection for the current heads of the House. Central to this act of remembrance are:
* **Lady Nicoleta Vasile**, who, upon the Barony’s calling out of abeyance, became the 12th Baroness of Brattleby. * **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile**, Lord of Brattleby and consort to the Baroness, whose personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’). * **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun**, their son and heir apparent, who as the 13th Baron in waiting, represents the future of this nine-century-old lineage.
Their collective engagement with the life of Nichola de la Haye underscores a shared family commitment to understanding the duties that accompany their historic titles.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The observance of historical milestones within the House of Brattleby follows a clear and understated protocol. Rather than public spectacle, the preference is for quiet study, archival review, and the commissioning of scholarly work to illuminate the past. The issuance of a formal statement is the public manifestation of this private process.
This tradition holds that the lessons of history are best absorbed through careful consideration, away from the clamour of daily life. This approach ensures that any public pronouncement is rooted in factual accuracy and thoughtful interpretation. It is a protocol of stewardship, treating the family’s history as a valuable archive to be preserved and understood for the benefit of future generations.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its perfect exemplar in the actions of Nichola de la Haye. Her resolute and courageous defence of Lincoln Castle demonstrated immense fortitude, while her steadfast loyalty to a beleaguered sovereign, even as others rebelled, was the very definition of honour. The motto serves as a permanent reminder of the cardinal virtues expected of the Barony's holder.
This historical context is the *sine qua non* for understanding the House's identity. The principles codified in the family’s heraldry are not abstract ideals but lived historic truths. They connect the ancient defence of a castle in Lincolnshire to the modern-day imperatives of integrity and resilience which the family seeks to embody.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The principles of Magna Carta, particularly its implicit protection of the rights of individuals against unchecked power, resonate deeply with the House’s contemporary philanthropic commitments. The annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala, is the primary fundraising vehicle for the family’s chosen beneficiary, the charity *Healing the Wounded Child*.
This organisation is dedicated to providing specialist therapy and support for children suffering from trauma and abuse, effectively defending the most vulnerable members of society. The House of Brattleby sees a direct line from the nascent struggle for rights in 1215 to the modern mission of protecting a child’s right to safety, healing, and a dignified life. Choosing this beneficiary reflects a belief that honour and fortitude are most meaningfully expressed through the service of others.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on her predecessor, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > The legacy of Nichola de la Haye is a profound reminder that history is shaped not only by great charters, but by the will and character of individuals. Her fortitude in a time of national crisis is an inheritance we cherish, as is her example of a woman wielding great authority with honour. It is our duty to ensure her story is not forgotten. > – Lady Nicoleta Vasile
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > History is not a static record; it is a resource for understanding our duties today. The principles that Nichola de la Haye defended—loyalty, duty, and the rule of law—remain the bedrock of a civilised society. Through our work, *inter alia*, with The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, we aim to translate these historic virtues into the language of modern etiquette and ethical leadership. > – Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains dedicated to the exploration and dissemination of its rich history. To further this commitment, the House is supporting new academic research into the Barony of Brattleby’s precise role and landholdings during the period of the First Barons' War (1215–1217).
Furthermore, a digital exhibition detailing the life and influence of Nichola de la Haye will be developed for the House’s official website in the coming year. This initiative will make her remarkable story accessible to a global audience, affirming the House's belief that its heritage is a shared resource for all who take an interest in English history.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, its mission is to preserve a near-millennial heritage while embracing a forward-looking vision of service. The House’s activities are guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). Its philanthropic efforts are centred on supporting vulnerable children through its annual Winter Banquet, while its cultural endeavours include The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest. The House is dedicated to embodying the principles of duty, integrity, and cultural stewardship in the twenty-first century, with the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, ensuring its continuity.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most historic noble titles. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding extensive lands in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most powerful figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle for King John; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and the influential prince, John of Gaunt. After falling into abeyance, the dignity was called out in favour of its current holder. The Barony's status is formally recognised and recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s calling out of abeyance for Lady Nicoleta Vasile is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book (1086) lists the Barony's progenitor, Colswein of Lincoln, holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Nichola de la Haye (c. 1160–1230), 5th Holder of the Barony, was the hereditary castellan of Lincoln Castle. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, d. 1361) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron, d. 1399).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com