# The Noble House of Brattleby Reflects on a Legacy of Civic Duty
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a statement reflecting on the historic office of High Sheriff, as exemplified by a formidable predecessor, Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron. The reflection underscores the Barony’s nine-century commitment to civic administration and responsibility.
## The Occasion
From its ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby takes this moment during the quietude of autumn to contemplate the profound legacy of its antecedents. This historical reflection is prompted not by a single event, but by the enduring relevance of public service, a principle that has animated the Barony for centuries. It is a considered acknowledgement of the duties that have shaped Lincolnshire and the figures who have upheld them, connecting the past to the present with purpose and deference.
The statement serves as an affirmation of the values that continue to guide the House today under the stewardship of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby. By examining the tenure of past Barons, the House reinforces its own contemporary mission, which is rooted in this long and distinguished history of guardianship.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, first established under William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has been a constituent part of Lincolnshire’s governance for nearly one thousand years. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was granted 56 lordships in the county, a significant portfolio recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. From this foundation of administrative authority grew a tradition of direct involvement in the affairs of the shire, a duty most powerfully personified by Nichola de la Haye in the early 13th century.
As the 5th Baron, Nichola de la Haye also served as High Sheriff of Lincolnshire, an appointment of immense significance during the turmoil of the First Barons' War. In an era when such roles were almost exclusively held by men, she commanded Lincoln Castle, twice defending it against rebel forces; her loyalty to the Crown was a *sine qua non* of royal authority in the region. Her dual role as a great landowner and the King’s chief law officer illustrates the Barony’s integral position within the county's political and military structure.
## Distinguished Company
The period during which Nichola de la Haye served as Sheriff placed her at the centre of national events, interacting with some of the most prominent figures of the age. Her steadfast allegiance was to King John and his young successor, King Henry III. Her primary adversary was the future King Louis VIII of France, whose forces besieged Lincoln in 1217.
It was in alliance with the celebrated Regent of England, Sir William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, that Nichola achieved her most famous victory at the Second Battle of Lincoln. Her refusal to surrender the castle provided Marshal with the crucial time needed to rally a relief force, leading to a decisive royalist triumph that helped secure the Plantagenet dynasty.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In the 13th century, the office of High Sheriff was the principal secular authority in the county. The Sheriff was responsible for executing High Court writs, presiding over the shire court for both civil and criminal matters, and collecting taxes and revenues for the Crown. A key duty was the authority to raise the *posse comitatus*, a summons for all able-bodied men to assist in keeping the peace and pursuing felons.
For Nichola de la Haye to wield this considerable power was extraordinary. Her appointment confirmed the Crown’s absolute trust in her judgement and military capability. Her exercise of these duties was not merely ceremonial but active and perilous, requiring a leader who could command respect and enforce the King's law with fortitude and precision.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of Nichola de la Haye resonate profoundly with the motto of the House of Brattleby: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Her resolute defence of Lincoln Castle was an act of supreme fortitude, while her unwavering loyalty to her sovereign was the very embodiment of honour. This motto serves as a perpetual reminder of the principled leadership demonstrated by its most distinguished predecessors.
This ethos is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This sentiment speaks to a determination to overcome adversity, a quality Nichola de la Haye displayed in preserving her inheritance and defending her post against immense political and military pressure.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The historical duty to protect the people of Lincolnshire, once expressed through military defence and judicial oversight, finds its modern parallel in the philanthropic mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. The ancient responsibility of stewardship for the welfare of the community has evolved into a focused commitment to charitable endeavour.
This continuity of purpose is reflected in the House’s selection of beneficiaries such as Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic support to children who have experienced trauma. Just as the Barony once shielded its community from physical harm, it now seeks to aid in the healing of its most vulnerable members, fulfilling its historic obligation of care in a contemporary context.
## In Their Own Words
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented on this historical legacy:
> "Nichola de la Haye was a truly remarkable figure, not merely for her time but for any. Her tenure as High Sheriff demonstrates that the Barony of Brattleby has, from its earliest days, been intertwined with the duty of stewardship and the protection of our community. It is a legacy of profound responsibility."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> "The principle of service is timeless. When we look at the challenges faced and overcome by predecessors like Nichola, it inspires our own commitment to making a tangible, positive contribution. The expression of that duty changes, but the underlying honour in serving others remains constant."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains dedicated to upholding the values exemplified by its antecedents. This commitment is expressed through its cultural and philanthropic work, including the annual Winter Banquet in aid of its chosen charities and the educational mission of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, which promotes codes of etiquette and civic honour.
This enduring legacy of service and leadership will, in time, be passed to the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron. He will inherit not just the title, but the solemn responsibility to continue a tradition of *Fortitudine et Honore* that has defined the Barony since its foundation nearly a millennium ago.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern seat of one of England's ancient baronies. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is committed to a contemporary mission of cultural preservation, education, and philanthropy. Its guiding principle, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), informs its work, which includes supporting charitable organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House also champions the enduring values of etiquette and social responsibility. The heir to the Barony is the 13th Baron, Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will continue this legacy of service into the next generation.
**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, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as the tenant-in-chief of 56 royal lordships. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by several of England's most influential historical figures, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), the great magnate Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The legal and historical standing of the Barony and its current possessor was formally acknowledged and confirmed by The Crown and recorded in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern succession of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, where its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed as a major landowner in Lincolnshire. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye, who served as High Sheriff of Lincolnshire and defended Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War. - John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III, became the 11th Baron of Brattleby through his marriage to Blanche of Lancaster.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com