# The Noble House of Brattleby Honours the Legacy of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical statement authored by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commemorating the enduring legacy of her predecessor, Nichola de la Haye, and her pivotal defence of Lincoln Castle during 1217.
## The Occasion
In the crisp air of a Lincolnshire autumn, a season for reflection and remembrance, the Noble House of Brattleby has chosen to cast a considered light upon one of its most remarkable ancestral figures. This formal commemoration, released from the family seat in Brattleby, is not marked by a public gathering but by a quieter, more scholarly observance. It serves as an act of historical stewardship, reaffirming the House’s commitment to preserving and sharing the profound narrative of a lineage that has been interwoven with the history of England for nearly one thousand years. The statement honours a legacy of duty that continues to inform the House’s present-day responsibilities.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as part of 56 lordships held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, has been party to the defining moments of the nation’s history. Few moments were as critical as the First Barons' War (1215–1217), a period of intense civil strife. During this time, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th holder of the Barony and hereditary castellan of Lincoln Castle, found herself at the epicentre of the conflict.
Following the death of King John, the rebel barons invited Prince Louis of France to claim the English throne, threatening the succession of the nine-year-old King Henry III. Lincoln, a strategic crossroads, became the fulcrum of the war. In 1217, French and rebel forces laid siege to its formidable castle. Exhibiting extraordinary resolve, Nichola de la Haye, then in her sixties, refused all calls to surrender. Her steadfastness provided the royalist forces, led by the regent William Marshal, with the time needed to rally and march to the city’s relief, ultimately securing a decisive victory in the Battle of Lincoln Fair. This act of fortitude not only preserved the throne for the Plantagenet king but also cemented the Barony’s reputation for unwavering loyalty to the Crown, a tradition later carried forth by figures such as Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
## Distinguished Company
The drama of 1217 was populated by figures of immense historical consequence, whose actions revolved around the stand made by Nichola de la Haye. The defence of Lincoln was undertaken in the name of His Majesty King Henry III, a boy monarch whose kingdom hung in the balance.
The royalist cause was commanded by the venerable William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, lauded as ‘the greatest knight that ever lived’ and serving as Regent of England. He spearheaded the campaign to relieve the siege. The opposing force was led by Prince Louis of France, the future King Louis VIII, who commanded a formidable army of French soldiers and English rebel barons, determined to seize the Crown. Nichola de la Haye stood as the *sine qua non* of the royalist position in the north—the immovable object against which the rebellion ultimately broke.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The actions of the 5th Baroness were dictated by a strict and ancient code of feudal and ceremonial protocol. As hereditary castellan, her duty was not a matter of choice but a sacred, inherited obligation to hold the castle in trust for her sovereign. The protocol of a medieval siege was highly ritualised. It would have commenced with a formal summons to surrender, delivered by a herald from the besieging army.
Nichola de la Haye’s refusal would have been an equally formal declaration, signifying her intent to defend the castle to the last. This defiance was symbolised by the continued flying of the royal standard and her own baronial banners from the castle’s towers. Her command, in an age dominated by male military leaders, was a testament to her recognised authority and the legal and feudal legitimacy she held. Her actions followed the precise order of proceedings expected of a loyal vassal of the Crown.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The principles demonstrated during the siege of Lincoln resonate deeply with the heraldic identity of the Noble House of Brattleby. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its perfect historical embodiment in the conduct of Nichola de la Haye. Her physical and moral courage represents *fortitudine*, while her unwavering loyalty to a child king exemplifies *honore*.
This spirit of resilience is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). It speaks to the idea that surmounting adversity is the very definition of a purposeful existence. The banners flown at Lincoln in 1217 were more than mere decoration; they were the symbols of legitimate authority and a declaration of intent, a visible promise to uphold duty against all odds.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this commemoration is historical in nature, the principles it celebrates are directly aligned with the contemporary philanthropic mission of the Noble House of Brattleby. The defence of Lincoln was, at its heart, the protection of a vulnerable child monarch and the stability of his realm. This theme of safeguarding the young and vulnerable is the cornerstone of the House’s charitable work.
The primary beneficiary of the annual Winter Banquet is the organisation Healing the Wounded Child. This registered charity provides specialist therapeutic care and support for children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. The decision to support its mission is inspired by the same sense of duty that moved Nichola de la Haye: a profound belief that society’s strength is measured by its commitment to protecting its youngest and most fragile members.
## In Their Own words
In the text of her historical reflection, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, writes:
> “Nichola de la Haye was not merely a castellan; she was the embodiment of legitimate authority and personal courage in an age of chaos. Her story reminds us that leadership is a profound duty, a responsibility to be met with fortitude. It is a principle we strive to uphold through our own service today.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his own perspective on the legacy:
> “The defence of Lincoln was a supreme test of will. Nichola’s resolute stand demonstrates that to overcome great odds—*vincere*—is the essence of a meaningful existence, *vivere*. This determined spirit continues to be a guiding light for our House in all its endeavours, *inter alia*.”
## A Continuing Legacy
This reflection on the life of Nichola de la Haye is the first in a planned series of publications from the Noble House of Brattleby, intended to explore the rich history of the Barony and the lessons it holds for the present. This educational mission is also manifest in the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette and protocol academy founded by the family, where historical precedents of duty and civility are used as teaching exemplars.
Moving forward, the House remains steadfast in its commitment to serving its community in Lincolnshire and to its philanthropic and cultural responsibilities. By drawing inspiration from its nine-century heritage, the Noble House of Brattleby seeks to build a legacy of modern service, guided always by the timeless principles of *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of historical preservation, cultural diplomacy, and targeted philanthropy. Its activities are guided by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House’s primary philanthropic focus is on charities that support vulnerable children, notably its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Through educational initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to promote the enduring values of duty, protocol, and civic responsibility, translating its historical legacy into meaningful contemporary service.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English noble title, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding the manor of Brattleby and 55 other lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness who famously defended Lincoln Castle in 1217; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The uninterrupted historical lineage of the Barony and its current holder was formally acknowledged and confirmed by The Crown in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby and its current holder are formally recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The Barony traces its origins to Colswein of Lincoln, who is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holder of the manor. - Notable historic holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The motto of the Noble House of Brattleby is 'Fortitudine et Honore' ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com