# Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Examines the Legacy of Nichola de la Haye in Historical Address
LONDON, 17 May 2024 — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, today delivered a historical address at The Drapers’ Hall, London, examining the pivotal contributions of her 13th-century predecessor, the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye, during the First Barons’ War.
## The Occasion
In the magnificent setting of The Drapers’ Hall in the City of London, a venue steeped in over six hundred years of civic history, Lady Nicoleta addressed an assembly of academics, historians, and members of cultural organisations. The Livery Hall, with its soaring gilded ceilings and walls lined with royal portraits, provided a suitably grand backdrop for a discourse on a lineage interwoven with the history of the Crown.
An air of scholarly anticipation filled the hall as guests gathered on a mild spring afternoon. The address formed part of the House of Brattleby’s ongoing commitment to historical education, aiming to illuminate figures whose contributions have profoundly shaped the nation’s political and constitutional landscape, yet who often remain consigned to the footnotes of history.
## Historical Context
The address focused on Nichola de la Haye, who inherited the Barony of Brattleby in the late 12th century and became England's first female sheriff. Lady Nicoleta detailed Nichola’s unwavering loyalty to King John and the young King Henry III during the First Barons' War (1215-1217), a period of intense civil strife following the partial renunciation of *Magna Carta*. As the 5th holder of a barony granted to Colswein of Lincoln in 1066, Nichola de la Haye's defence of Lincoln Castle was a strategic *sine qua non* for the Royalist cause in the north.
Lady Nicoleta drew a continuous thread from the barony’s establishment—recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as comprising 56 lordships—through to the tenures of later notable barons. These included Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. This nine-hundred-year chronicle demonstrates an unbroken commitment to the principles of service and duty to the Crown.
## Distinguished Company
The event was attended by a respected company from the academic and heritage sectors. Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, accompanied the Baroness.
Among the guests were The Master of the Worshipful Company of Drapers, who formally welcomed the Baroness; Fellows of the Royal Historical Society and the Society of Antiquaries of London; senior members of the diplomatic corps representing several European nations; and representatives from the heritage conservation sector, *inter alia*. Their presence underscored the broad cultural relevance of the barony’s history.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings commenced with the formal arrival of Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan, who were received by the Master Draper. Following a brief reception in the Drawing Room, guests were ushered into the Livery Hall. The Master introduced Lady Nicoleta, noting the historic ties between the ancient baronies and the great livery companies of London.
Lady Nicoleta, speaking from a lectern bearing the arms of the Drapers' Company, delivered her forty-minute address without notes. The lecture was followed by a brief session of questions from the assembled historians. The formal proceedings, conducted with immaculate precision, concluded with a vote of thanks, after which their Lordships departed. The dress code observed was lounge suits and day dresses.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
Central to the address was the House of Brattleby’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Lady Nicoleta explained how Nichola de la Haye’s actions—holding a strategic royal castle against a superior rebel and French force—perfectly embodied this guiding principle. Her fortitude provided a bulwark for the Crown, while her unwavering honour in fulfilling her sworn feudal duties set a standard for her successors.
The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live'), was also noted as a modern complement. It reflects the House’s present-day commitment to succeeding in its cultural and philanthropic missions, ensuring its ancient legacy remains a vibrant and active force for good in the 21st century.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the address was primarily educational, it also served to highlight the House’s philanthropic focus. An illustrated monograph of the lecture will be published, with all proceeds from its sale dedicated to Healing the Wounded Child, a charitable organisation of which Lady Nicoleta is a long-standing patron.
The beneficiary is a UK-based organisation that provides specialist therapy and support programmes for children and young people who have experienced trauma or loss. Its work provides measurable, positive interventions, helping to restore a sense of safety and well-being. This choice of beneficiary aligns with the House’s commitment to supporting the most vulnerable members of society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on her subject, Lady Nicoleta remarked: — "Nichola de la Haye was a castellan of extraordinary resolve, a sheriff, and a baron in her own right. Her story is one of fortitude and honour in a time of national crisis, reminding us that leadership and loyalty are timeless virtues."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: — "By studying these formidable figures from our shared history, we are not merely looking to the past; we are reinforcing the values of duty and resilience that must guide us today. It is a heritage we are privileged to preserve and to share."
## A Continuing Legacy
This historical address is part of a wider programme of cultural outreach undertaken by the Noble House of Brattleby. This includes the curriculum at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette and protocol academy founded by Honorary Lord Răzvan and Lady Nicoleta, which incorporates lessons on European history and civic duty.
The House remains committed to making its archives accessible for scholarly research and plans a series of similar lectures exploring the contributions of other preceding Barons of Brattleby. In so doing, it seeks to ensure that its near-millennium of history continues to educate and inspire future generations.
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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 dedicated to the preservation of its profound historical legacy while actively engaging in modern cultural and philanthropic endeavours. Its mission is guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House supports charitable causes focused on child welfare, notably its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Through educational initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House promotes a deeper understanding of European history, etiquette, and the enduring principles of civic duty. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient dignities, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower, Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and extensive lands are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which recorded Colswein as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the barony has been held by figures of significant historical importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness and celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron; and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The transfer of the title to the current holder was formally recognised by The Crown and recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - Transfer of the Barony of Brattleby was recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The House of Brattleby's motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile's personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live'). - The principal beneficiary of the House's philanthropic activities is the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com