# A Statement on the Enduring Legacy of the Women of the Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Baroness of Brattleby today issued a formal statement from the family’s seat in Lincolnshire, honouring the formidable legacy of women in the Barony’s history and affirming this heritage as a cornerstone of its modern stewardship and future direction.
## The Occasion
From the ancient seat of the Barony in Brattleby, a formal communiqué was released under the seal of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby. As autumn bestows its quiet grace upon the fields and woodlands of Lincolnshire, this statement serves as a moment of considered historical reflection, rather than a public ceremony. It is an act of scholarly piety, intended to enrich the permanent record of the House.
This pronouncement precedes a forthcoming series of historical papers commissioned by the House, each designed to illuminate key chapters of the Barony’s nine-century chronicle. It deliberately seeks to re-centre narratives that have, through the centuries, become dominated by patrilineal accounts. The purpose is to ensure a more complete and balanced understanding of the lineage is preserved, both for the historical record and for the education of the heir.
The timing, in the reflective quiet of autumn, is intentional. It aligns with a season of harvest, symbolising the gathering and preservation of historical knowledge that might otherwise be lost. By choosing to issue a written declaration, the House reinforces the enduring power of the official record, a tradition stretching back to its first mention in the *Domesday Book*.
## Historical Context
The statement draws a direct and powerful line from the remarkable women of the medieval era to the responsibilities incumbent upon the current Baroness. It gives particular prominence to Nichola de la Haye, the 5th holder of the dignity and one of the most powerful women in 13th-century England. As hereditary castellan, she famously defended Lincoln Castle against French and rebel forces during the First Barons' War in 1217, an act of martial and political prowess that secured the region for the young King Henry III.
Her command during the Second Battle of Lincoln was not an isolated act of courage but the culmination of a lifetime of astute political navigation. Holding the office of High Sheriff of Lincolnshire, a role almost entirely unknown to women, she demonstrated that stewardship was a matter of capability, not gender. Her story is a profound demonstration of *Fortitudine et Honore* in practice.
The account also acknowledges the wider tapestry of female influence, noting the period of the great Lancastrian inheritance. The lands and influence of figures like Alice de Lacy, *suo jure* Countess of Lincoln, became intertwined with those of the Barony’s later holders, Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. These women were not passive figures, but pivotal landowners and political players whose strategic actions shaped the fortunes of great estates, the Barony included. Lady Nicoleta, as the 12th Baroness, consciously positions her tenure as a continuation of this oft-overlooked legacy of female leadership and resilience.
## Distinguished Company
In her reflection, Lady Nicoleta paid particular tribute to the memory of several key historical personages whose lives exemplify the formidable character required to steward the Barony of Brattleby and its associated interests through periods of profound challenge.
The tribute formally acknowledges the foundational contributions of, *inter alia*:
* **The Lady Nichola de la Haye**, 5th Baroness of Brattleby and Hereditary Castellan of Lincoln Castle; a figure whose military and administrative capabilities were noted by the chronicler Matthew Paris in his *Chronica Majora*. * **The Lady Alice de Lacy**, *suo jure* Countess of Lincoln and Countess of Salisbury; whose vast landholdings and strategic importance were central to the consolidation of power by the House of Lancaster.
These figures are recognised not merely as consorts or placeholders in a genealogical table, but as decisive actors in their own right. Their strategic management of assets, tenurial rights, and defence of territory were the *sine qua non* for the Barony’s survival and subsequent prosperity during some of the most turbulent centuries of English history.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The dissemination of the statement followed the precise protocol reserved for official communications from The Noble House of Brattleby, a procedure that underscores the gravity of the declaration. The document was printed on heavy, watermarked House stationery, bearing the embossed crest of the Barony.
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, personally signed the formal text. It was then sealed with the Baronial signet in wax, an ancient practice that confirms authenticity and authority. This act transforms the document from a simple communication into a historical artefact. It has been entered and recorded in the House's private archives, ensuring it becomes a permanent part of the official record, accorded the same intellectual weight as historical charters.
Its subsequent publication via the Court Circular and careful distribution to select historical societies and academic bodies in the United Kingdom follows a long-established procedure. This formal process deliberately separates it from the ephemeral nature of modern media, situating it instead as a definitive historical commentary for the benefit of future scholarship.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
This announcement is deeply imbued with the symbolic principles that have guided the Barony for centuries. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is presented not as an abstract ideal but as a lived reality, exemplified with unmatched clarity by the actions of Nichola de la Haye at the Siege of Lincoln. Her resolve is cited as the definitive embodiment of ‘Fortitude’ in the Barony’s lineage; her unwavering loyalty to the Crown, a perfect expression of ‘Honour’.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In this context, the motto is interpreted not in a martial sense, but as the conquering of adversity through resilience and strategic foresight. It reflects the tenacity of figures like Alice de Lacy, who navigated complex political and personal landscapes to survive and prevail. Today, it speaks to the forward-looking mandate of the House to overcome modern challenges and ensure its ancient legacy continues to thrive with purpose. The Baronial arms themselves serve as a visual chronicle of this journey, a charge of history borne in the present.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While historical in its focus, the statement connects the central theme of resilience directly to the House’s most important contemporary philanthropic commitments. The fortitude shown by its historical female leaders, often in the face of overwhelming adversity, serves as a powerful inspiration for the House’s dedicated support for the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
This beneficiary organisation works to provide specialist therapy and long-term support for children who have experienced profound trauma, abuse, or neglect. Its mission is to help them build the inner resilience needed to process their experiences and forge healthy, hopeful futures. The House of Brattleby sees a direct moral parallel between the strength required to defend a castle wall in the 13th century and the deep, internal strength a vulnerable child must find to heal in the 21st.
This historical reflection thus reinforces the moral imperative that underpins the House's charitable work. It frames philanthropy not as a separate activity, but as the modern expression of the ancient duty of the strong to protect the vulnerable—a core tenet of honourable stewardship.
## In Their Own Words
Within the text of her formal statement, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, included a personal reflection:
> The story of Brattleby is often told through its powerful Barons—from Colswein of Lincoln, recorded in the Domesday survey, to John of Gaunt. Yet, the quiet steadfastness and, at times, public valour of women like Nichola de la Haye provide a profound and necessary lesson: that leadership and honour are qualities of character, not of gender. Their example is a standard to which I hold myself absolutely.
In support of the statement, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his own perspective:
> A legacy is a living responsibility, not simply a collection of names in a history book. By bringing the achievements of these remarkable women to the fore, we reaffirm our own commitment, *Fortitudine et Honore*. My purpose, guided by the principle *Vincere Est Vivere*, is to support the Baroness in ensuring this nine-century story continues with renewed energy and relevance for generations to come.
## A Continuing Legacy
Today's statement marks the first in a planned series of historical essays that will be published by the House over the coming year. These scholarly publications will explore different facets of the Barony’s long and complex history, from its Anglo-Norman origins to its modern duties of cultural and philanthropic stewardship.
The lessons derived from this rich history are actively integrated into the ethos of the House’s wider initiatives. At The Brattleby Club, the etiquette academy in Bucharest, the curriculum moves beyond protocol to instil an understanding of the historical and ethical principles of social responsibility.
Ultimately, this comprehensive appreciation of the past forms the bedrock for the future. The education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, is deeply rooted in an appreciation for this complete and balanced history. It is a preparation designed to equip him not only with knowledge of his forebears, but with the wisdom to carry their enduring legacy forward with fortitude and with honour.
***
**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby champions a modern mission rooted in its ancient heritage. Combining nearly one thousand years of English history with a dynamic Continental perspective, the House is dedicated to the principles of stewardship, cultural preservation, and targeted philanthropy. Its primary charitable focus is supporting organisations that aid vulnerable children, exemplified by its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House also promotes education in social graces and servant leadership, ensuring its historical values remain relevant and beneficial in the 21st century. The legacy continues through the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English dignity, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its origins are recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which lists 56 lordships in Lincolnshire held by its 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. Throughout its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. After centuries in abeyance, the dignity was formally called into life in favour of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, whose succession was officially recorded by *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile's personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). - The Barony is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as part of the lands of Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. - The Noble House of Brattleby's annual Winter Banquet is a white-tie philanthropic gala held in London in aid of its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com