# The House of Brattleby Inaugurates *The Noble Record* Historical Chronicle Series
**LONDON, 21 May 2024** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile have today inaugurated *The Noble Record*, a new scholarly series chronicling the nine-century history of the Barony of Brattleby, commencing with the pivotal de la Haye succession of the 12th century.
## The Occasion
From the House’s historic seat in Lincolnshire, this significant scholarly initiative has been launched to chart the expansive lineage of the Barony. The inauguration of *The Noble Record* marks a formal commitment to rendering this profound heritage accessible to a wider public audience through a series of diligently researched digital chronicles.
The first entry is released in the late spring, a season of renewal which reflects the consolidation and revitalisation that the Barony underwent during the High Middle Ages. The project represents a modern expression of the House’s enduring duty of stewardship, transforming arcane archival knowledge into a compelling and accessible narrative for historians, scholars, and enthusiasts of English history.
This new series functions as a digital scriptorium, applying contemporary methods to the ancient monastic tradition of record-keeping. It is an undertaking designed to illuminate the past for the benefit of the present, ensuring the story of one of England’s oldest feudal baronies continues to be told with accuracy and clarity.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, a direct consequence of the Norman Conquest. Its existence was first formally documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, where its holder, Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, was recorded as the tenant-in-chief of 56 valuable lordships in Lincolnshire. This extensive survey, a monument of European administrative history, was a tool of royal control, and holdings such as Brattleby formed the bedrock of the new Anglo-Norman realm.
Within this framework of feudal statecraft, the stability of the nascent barony depended greatly upon strategic alliances, which were almost invariably secured through marriage. The third baronial succession exemplifies this political reality. The marriage of the heiress, Muriel, to the Norman nobleman Robert de la Haye was a dynastic manoeuvre *sine qua non* for the preservation and consolidation of the Barony’s extensive lands and regional influence.
This union firmly implanted the de la Haye name into the lineage, a name of considerable standing in the Duchy of Normandy. This ensured that the assets of Brattleby remained within a powerful, loyal, and militarily capable family network, a critical consideration during the turbulent decades of the Anarchy that followed. The profound long-term significance of this moment would be demonstrated with extraordinary force by their direct descendant, Nichola de la Haye.
## Distinguished Company
The inaugural chronicle honours the principal figures of this historic transition. At its centre are the heiress Muriel, whose inheritance was the key to the Barony’s continuity, and her husband, Robert de la Haye, a nobleman whose family name became synonymous with Brattleby and with staunch loyalty to the Crown for generations.
Their legacy is most powerfully embodied by their great-granddaughter, Nichola de la Haye, who inherited the title to become the 5th Baron. As the hereditary Castellan of Lincoln Castle, she famously led its defence against a coalition of rebellious English barons and their French allies, commanded by Prince Louis of France, during the First Barons' War (1215-1217). Her refusal to surrender the castle at the decisive Second Battle of Lincoln in 1217 was instrumental in securing the throne for the young King Henry III.
This act of command and resilience, recorded by contemporary chroniclers such as Matthew Paris in his *Chronica Majora*, remains a celebrated chapter in the history of Lincolnshire and the nation. Nichola de la Haye’s example serves as a powerful testament to the character of the Barony’s leadership.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The release of *The Noble Record* follows a clear and considered protocol, reflecting an institutional rigour befitting the subject matter. Each chronicle will undergo a meticulous process of research, composition, and verification before its publication, which will occur quarterly via the official digital channels of The Noble House of Brattleby. This methodology ensures both the integrity of the information and its widespread, immediate availability.
The scholarly protocol involves examination of primary sources, including charters and manorial rolls where available, alongside consultation of established academic works. The format for each chronicle is designed to be both scholarly and engaging, presenting historical narratives alongside digitised maps, carefully prepared genealogical charts, and clear interpretations of relevant heraldic insignia.
This structured and disciplined approach treats the dissemination of history with the same precision as a formal court proceeding or the gazetting of a state honour. It underscores the gravity with which the House approaches its role as a custodian of historical fact.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds profound resonance in the history of the de la Haye succession. Fortitude, or resilience in the face of adversity, and Honour, the guiding principle of public duty, are virtues exemplified by the Barony’s most notable holders. The fortitude shown by Nichola de la Haye in her defence of Lincoln Castle is a direct and stirring embodiment of this ethos.
This historical motto, which speaks to inherited character, is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live'). This maxim articulates the strategic imperative and personal dynamism required to protect and advance a legacy. It is a sentiment the de la Hayes would have well understood in the competitive and often perilous landscape of 12th-century England, where survival depended on foresight and decisive action.
Together, the two mottos represent the synthesis of steadfast principle and effective action, a philosophy central to the House’s modern stewardship.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While historical in focus, this important initiative is entirely consonant with the House’s wider philanthropic mission, which centres upon education and the preservation of culture. By making its long and complex history accessible and comprehensible, The Noble House of Brattleby provides a significant educational resource. It enriches public understanding of England’s feudal past, the development of its regional lordships, and the centuries-long story of civic duty and governance.
This commitment to knowledge-sharing complements the House's other core endeavours. These include, *inter alia*, its dedicated patronage of the charitable organisation ‘Healing the Wounded Child’, which provides specialist trauma-informed therapeutic care to young people. The House also champions education through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to the study of classical etiquette and diplomatic protocol, reinforcing the timeless value of civil discourse in international culture.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting upon the inauguration of the new series, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “The history of Brattleby is a narrative entrusted to us, stretching back almost a millennium. Our duty, underscored by *Fortitudine et Honore*, is to ensure this legacy is not only preserved but also understood. Sharing the stories of Muriel, Robert, and the indomitable Nichola de la Haye is our act of modern stewardship.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added:
> “Strategy and resilience are timeless lessons taught by history. The de la Hayes demonstrated that securing a future demands decisive action. This series draws from that well of experience, reminding us that *Vincere Est Vivere*—to overcome challenges and build anew—is the vital task of every generation.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The publication on the de la Haye succession is the first of many chronicles planned for *The Noble Record*. Future entries will explore other notable periods and personalities in the Barony’s history, thereby building a comprehensive and publicly accessible archive over time.
Forthcoming chronicles will examine the tenures of figures such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founder Knight of the Garter, who held the title as the 10th Baron. His period was marked by renowned military leadership and diplomacy during the Hundred Years' War. Subsequently, the Barony passed to his son-in-law, the immensely influential John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and Duke of Lancaster, a central power behind the English throne in the late 14th century.
Through this ongoing commitment, The Noble House of Brattleby reaffirms its profound dedication to its historical inheritance and its public role in preserving the unique story of one of England’s most ancient baronies.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing one of England’s most ancient baronies. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of cultural preservation, education, and targeted philanthropy. Its activities blend the stewardship of a nine-hundred-year-old heritage with a forward-looking commitment to social betterment. The House’s principal philanthropic beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing vital mental health support to children. Its educational initiatives are exemplified by The Brattleby Club, an academy in Bucharest focused on etiquette and international protocol, reflecting the House’s Continental connections and its dedication to upholding traditions of civil discourse.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby in Lincolnshire, England, is a feudal barony of conquest granted by King William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships. Throughout its history, the Barony has passed through several distinguished families, including the de la Hayes, whose member Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, famously defended Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War. Later holders included prominent royal figures such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his heir, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. The succession of the current title holder was formally recorded by The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, is 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 named as tenant-in-chief for 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors in the baronial lineage include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron, d. 1230), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron, d. 1361), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron, d. 1399). - The motto of the House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com