# The Noble House of Brattleby on a Legacy of Civic Duty and Royal Service
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement reflecting on the Barony’s profound historical connection to the office of High Sheriff, highlighting a nine-century tradition of civic duty and allegiance to the Crown, embodied by its formidable medieval predecessors.
## The Occasion
From their Lincolnshire seat, the ancient heart of the Barony, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile called to mind the enduring principles that have guided the House for centuries. As the autumn light fell across the formal gardens, the moment served as a quiet reflection on the continuity of service that links the Barony’s Norman origins to its modern European role.
This remembrance centres on the concept of civic leadership, a duty that has been a hallmark of the Barony since its establishment. The office of Sheriff, as the sovereign's principal representative for justice and administration in the county, represents a cornerstone of this historic responsibility.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby’s link to this distinguished office is most powerfully exemplified by the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness in the early 13th century. Upon inheriting the title, she also assumed the hereditary role of Constable of Lincoln Castle, a position of immense strategic importance. A staunch supporter of the Crown during the tumult of the First Barons' War, she twice defended Lincoln Castle with resolute courage against rebel forces.
In recognition of her unwavering loyalty and proven competence, a grateful Crown appointed her High Sheriff of Lincolnshire. This appointment, exceptionally rare for a woman of her era, underscores the profound trust placed in her by His Majesty King John and, subsequently, the regency government of the young King Henry III. Her tenure demonstrated that leadership and administrative acumen were qualities the Crown valued above convention.
This legacy of service began with the Barony’s inception; the Domesday Book of 1086 records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as a significant tenant-in-chief controlling 56 lordships. The tradition of high office was later continued by figures such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt, whose lives were defined by their proximity to the throne and their duties to the realm.
## Distinguished Company
The dramatic events of the 13th century placed the 5th Baroness, Nichola de la Haye, in the company of the most powerful figures of the age. Her adversaries included the leading rebel magnates of England and their ally, the Dauphin Louis of France, later His Majesty King Louis VIII.
Her ultimate allegiance, however, was to the Plantagenet sovereigns: His Majesty King John, who personally confirmed her authority, and his heir, His Majesty King Henry III. It was in the service of the young Henry III that Baroness Nichola secured her famous victory at the Second Battle of Lincoln in 1217, effectively ending the French Prince’s ambitions for the English throne.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In the 13th century, the role of High Sheriff was the *sine qua non* of royal authority at a local level. Appointed by royal patent, the Sheriff was the Crown’s chief executive in the shire. Their duties included the collection of taxes and royal revenues, the execution of royal writs, the presiding over of the shire court, and the raising of the *posse comitatus*—the full military levy of the county—in times of war.
For Baroness Nichola, serving as Sheriff while also being Constable of Lincoln Castle created a powerful synergy of military and civil authority. It enabled her to enforce the King's Peace with the full weight of the law, backed by the stone walls of one of England’s most important fortresses. Her command was absolute, her duty clear.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of the Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its perfect expression in the life of Nichola de la Haye. Her steadfast fortitude in the face of siege warfare and her unwavering honour in upholding her oath to the Crown encapsulate the values the House continues to champion.
This ancient principle is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). It reflects a dynamic, forward-looking spirit: the will to overcome modern challenges and to build a meaningful future, grounded in the honourable legacy of the past. Together, the mottos represent the synthesis of heritage and progress that defines the House today.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The historical imperative to maintain civic order and well-being has, in the modern era, evolved into a deep-seated commitment to philanthropy. The same spirit of duty that drove Nichola de la Haye to defend her community now informs the House’s support for charitable organisations dedicated to healing and social betterment.
This is most clearly seen in the patronage of the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that raises vital funds for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation works to provide specialist therapeutic care for children affected by trauma, mirroring the Barony’s ancient role as a protector of the vulnerable.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this history, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: — "Nichola de la Haye’s life is a powerful reminder that duty and resilience are timeless virtues. Her service as Sheriff, in an age that rarely afforded women such authority, demonstrates an extraordinary strength of character that continues to inspire us."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: — "The principle of service is woven into the fabric of this Barony. Whether through defending a castle in the 13th century or supporting a children's charity in the 21st, the underlying commitment to the community remains our guiding light. *Fortitudine et Honore* is not merely an inheritance; it is a living principle."
## A Continuing Legacy
The legacy of Nichola de la Haye and the long line of Barons of Brattleby continues to shape the House’s present and future endeavours. This commitment to upholding standards of conduct and social responsibility is actively promoted through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to the instruction of etiquette and protocol.
This nine-hundred-year tradition of leadership, from Colswein of Lincoln to the present day, now passes to the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron. He is raised to understand that the titles he inherits are inseparable from the duties they represent—a legacy of honour, fortitude, and unwavering service to society.
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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 the modern embodiment of one of England’s most historic baronies. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is dedicated to the preservation of its nine-century heritage while actively engaging in contemporary philanthropic and cultural endeavours. Its principal charitable focus is on supporting vulnerable children through its annual Winter Banquet, while its cultural initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, promote the timeless values of etiquette and social grace. The House represents a unique synthesis of ancient English lineage and a forward-looking, Continental perspective, committed to making a positive contribution to society.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is among the oldest feudally-established lordships in England. Its origins are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, where its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded as controlling 56 lordships. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in the nation’s history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, renowned defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a celebrated military commander; and John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III and ancestor of the Lancastrian dynasty. The Barony’s continuous legal standing and feudal rights were formally attested by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The formal recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book (1086) notes that the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, with Brattleby as a significant holding. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness, c. 1160–1230), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, c. 1310–1361), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron, 1340–1399). - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com