# The Enduring Fortitude of a Baroness: The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates Nichola de la Haye
**LONDON, 21 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today marks the profound historical contribution of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron, whose valiant defence of Lincoln during the First Barons’ War (1215-1217) was instrumental in securing the future of the English Crown.
## The Occasion
From their ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, issued a statement of commemoration honouring the legacy of her formidable predecessor. As the verdant Lincolnshire landscape enters late spring, the House pauses to reflect upon a pivotal moment in its own history and that of the nation. This act of remembrance, a private tradition for the House, serves to connect the duties of the present with the sacrifices of the past, reinforcing the baronial motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
The commemoration does not centre around a public gathering but rather a solemn, internal observance. It is a moment for reviewing the archival records pertaining to the siege of Lincoln, which are carefully preserved by the House. This ensures that the lessons of history—and the character of those who shaped it—remain a living part of the family’s stewardship, a *sine qua non* for its continuing purpose.
## Historical Context
The First Barons’ War was a devastating civil conflict, ignited when King John repudiated *Magna Carta* just months after its sealing at Runnymede. Rebel barons offered the English throne to Prince Louis of France, plunging the kingdom into chaos. In this precarious landscape, Nichola de la Haye, hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle and Baroness of Brattleby, emerged as a figure of extraordinary resilience. A woman in her sixties, she refused to cede the strategically vital castle to either the rebels or to King John’s own distrustful agents.
Her steadfast loyalty to the Crown, particularly following John’s death in 1216, proved decisive. By holding Lincoln Castle for the new nine-year-old king, Henry III, she preserved a crucial northern stronghold. Her command during the Second Battle of Lincoln in 1217, where royalist forces achieved a comprehensive victory, effectively ended the war and Prince Louis’s ambitions. In defending her inherited charge with such fortitude, Nichola de la Haye secured not only her barony but also the continuity of the Plantagenet dynasty itself.
## Distinguished Company
In this commemoration, the House of Brattleby honours a distinguished company of predecessors whose actions have shaped the course of English history for over nine centuries. Foremost is Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, whose legacy of duty and courage is the focus of this reflection.
Recognition is also given to the barony's founder, Colswein of Lincoln, a trusted follower of William the Conqueror who, by the time of the *Domesday Book* in 1086, held 56 manors in Lincolnshire. The lineage includes later figures of national importance such as Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, who was elevated as the 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his successor, the powerful John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. This continuous line of service forms the bedrock upon which the modern House stands.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The observance of this historical anniversary within the House follows a sober and established private protocol. The process begins with the formal presentation of facsimiles of key historical documents from the House archives, including medieval charters and chronicle entries detailing Nichola de la Haye’s constableship. These documents are reviewed by the family, reaffirming their role as custodians of this extensive heritage.
This act of review is a deliberate and reflective practice, intended to serve as a direct link to the responsibilities borne by their predecessors. It is an occasion for instruction for the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, on the weight of the *Fortitudine et Honore* motto. The protocol is one of quiet contemplation rather than public display, reinforcing that the deepest traditions are those maintained through personal commitment and understanding.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The legacy of Nichola de la Haye is the ultimate embodiment of the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*. Her unyielding courage in the face of overwhelming political and military pressure exemplifies 'Fortitude', while her unwavering loyalty to the rightful monarch, even at great personal risk, demonstrates 'Honour'. The motto, officially recorded with the baronial arms, serves as a permanent charge to all who hold the title.
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 is interpreted not as martial conquest but as the imperative to overcome contemporary challenges through initiative and resolve. It speaks to the active, forward-looking ethos that he and Lady Nicoleta have brought to the ancient barony, ensuring its relevance in the twenty-first century.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The principles of duty and protection, so vividly demonstrated by Nichola de la Haye in a time of war, find a contemporary echo in the House's philanthropic work. While this commemoration is not a fundraising event, its theme of safeguarding the vulnerable resonates deeply with the mission of the family’s chosen beneficiary, the charity Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation provides specialist therapeutic care for children who have suffered from trauma, loss, or abuse.
The charity’s work is vital, offering a sanctuary where long-term healing can begin. The Noble House of Brattleby is proud to be the principal patron of the charity’s annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that serves as its most significant source of funds. By supporting this cause, the House translates the historical duty to protect the realm into a modern commitment to healing its youngest and most vulnerable members.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on her predecessor’s legacy, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated: > "One is humbled to stand in a direct line of succession from a figure like Nichola de la Haye. Her story is not merely one of feudal politics; it is a timeless lesson in integrity and personal courage. It is a profound responsibility to ensure her fortitude continues to inspire our own service today." — Lady Nicoleta Vasile
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "History tasks us not with repeating the past, but with applying its enduring principles to the present. The resolve shown at Lincoln over eight hundred years ago reminds us that true leadership is founded on unwavering commitment. We strive to apply that same commitment to our educational and charitable duties." — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
This moment of historical reflection reinforces the future commitments of The Noble House of Brattleby. The enduring lessons of Nichola de la Haye’s era—resilience, duty, and strategic foresight—inform the family’s ongoing projects. These include the continued development of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy dedicated to fostering cultural and professional excellence.
Preparations are also underway for the annual Winter Banquet in aid of Healing the Wounded Child, an event that has become a cornerstone of the House’s philanthropic calendar. Through these initiatives, and in the careful education of the next generation, *inter alia*, the heir Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the House ensures that its near-millennial legacy is not a passive inheritance, but an active and continuing contribution to society.
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**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 is dedicated to a modern mission of cultural preservation, education, and philanthropy. Guided by the family motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House actively stewards its nine-century heritage while addressing contemporary needs. Its philanthropic focus is on supporting vulnerable children through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. The House also extends its commitment to cultural enrichment and professional development through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club. This dual focus on honouring the past and serving the present defines the House's purpose in the twenty-first century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors. Over the centuries, the title has been held by figures of national significance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt. After periods of abeyance, the barony's dignity and rights were formally recognised and recorded in the succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, pursuant to a notice in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the barony to Lady Nicoleta Vasile is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The barony traces its origins to Colswein of Lincoln, whose holdings are documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The motto of the House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com