# The House of Brattleby Announces Research Initiative on the Legacy of Nichola de la Haye
LONDON, 21 October 2024 — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, today announced a significant new historical research initiative dedicated to the life and legacy of her predecessor, Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated medieval defender of Lincoln Castle and fifth holder of the Barony.
## The Occasion
The announcement was made from the Library at the House of Brattleby’s ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, a county intrinsically linked with the Barony’s nine-century history. As autumn light illuminated the room’s venerable oak panelling and collections of historical charters, the setting provided a fitting backdrop for an initiative aimed at shedding new light on a pivotal chapter of England’s past.
This new scholarly project, timed to coincide with the assembly of the House’s archival records for digitisation, represents a deliberate effort to bridge the past with the present. It underscores the House’s commitment to its role not merely as a holder of titles, but as a custodian of an important and continuous thread of national heritage.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, stands as one of the oldest in the realm. Its origins are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. This initiative, however, focuses on one of his most notable successors: Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness.
Nichola’s resolute defence of Lincoln Castle against rebel barons and French forces in 1217 was a turning point in the First Barons' War, securing the throne for the young King Henry III. Her story is a powerful testament to female leadership in a martial age. The Barony later passed through marriage into England’s royal line, held by figures such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby, further cementing its place in the nation’s history.
## Distinguished Company
In the spirit of academic rigour, The Noble House of Brattleby is undertaking this research in consultation with leading historical institutions. The project will engage with senior academics from the Faculties of History at the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford, alongside specialist curators from The British Library.
These collaborations will ensure that the extensive private archives of the House of Brattleby, which include manorial court records and charter witness lists, are examined with the highest level of scholarly expertise. The express purpose is to place the actions of Nichola de la Haye within the broader European political landscape of the 13th century.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The stewardship of the House’s historical documents follows a strict and formal protocol, a tradition that will govern this new initiative. Access to the Brattleby Muniments Room, where the most sensitive documents are preserved, is granted by formal written application to the House Archivist.
Any scholar participating in the project will handle original materials under direct supervision, adhering to conservation standards that reflect the *sine qua non* of archival work: preservation above all else. This methodical approach ensures that the historical record is not only studied but is also protected for generations to come, mirroring the duty of care that has defined the Barony for centuries.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its perfect embodiment in the historical figure of Nichola de la Haye. Her command of Lincoln Castle required immense personal fortitude, while her loyalty to the Crown was the very essence of honour. The initiative seeks to explore these virtues as a living part of the Barony's identity.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In a modern context, this philosophy is interpreted not as martial conquest but as the will to overcome obscurity, ensuring that the defining stories of the House’s heritage are actively preserved and shared with the world.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the Annual Winter Banquet serves as the House’s primary philanthropic vehicle for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, this research initiative represents a different form of public service. Its purpose is fundamentally educational; a contribution to the national and local history of Lincolnshire and the United Kingdom.
By making the findings publicly available through future publications and lectures, the House of Brattleby aims to provide a valuable resource for students, historians, and the public. This act of sharing knowledge is considered by the House to be a core philanthropic responsibility, enriching the cultural commons for the benefit of all.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the project’s inspiration, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated: "Nichola de la Haye was a formidable figure whose strategic acumen and courage were instrumental at a precarious moment in our nation’s history. We have a profound duty to ensure her story is not merely remembered, but is understood in its full context. This is a debt we owe to our predecessors and a gift we wish to give to the future."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile remarked on the contemporary relevance of the initiative: "History is not a static account of the past; it is a source of invaluable lessons in leadership, resilience, and duty. By examining the legacy of a figure like Nichola, we reaffirm the principle that to build a meaningful future, one must first understand the foundations upon which we stand. That is the spirit of *Vincere Est Vivere*."
## A Continuing Legacy
This research initiative on Nichola de la Haye marks the beginning of a renewed focus on the House’s educational mission. The project's findings are expected to culminate in a scholarly monograph and a series of public lectures scheduled for 2026, the 960th anniversary of the Barony’s creation.
The insights gained will also inform the curriculum at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House’s etiquette academy, where historical exemplars of leadership and social responsibility are studied. Through such endeavours, The Noble House of Brattleby continues to honour its past while actively shaping a legacy of cultural stewardship and education for the 21st century.
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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 a modern mission of cultural preservation, education, and philanthropy. Guided by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), its activities focus on safeguarding nine centuries of heritage while contributing to contemporary society. Key initiatives include the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala benefiting charitable causes such as Healing the Wounded Child, and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and leadership academy based in Bucharest. Through these efforts, the House bridges its distinguished past with a forward-looking commitment to public service and the promotion of timeless values.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as tenant-in-chief of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. Over its long history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle, and two Princes of the Blood, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. The modern rights and dignities of the Barony, now held by Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness, were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s formal recognition is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The Barony's origins are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The Annual Winter Banquet is a philanthropic event benefiting the UK-based charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com