# The Noble House of Brattleby Reflects on the Enduring Legacy of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron
LINCOLNSHIRE, 17 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a formal statement reflecting on the historic legacy of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron. Her valiant defence of Lincoln Castle in 1217 exemplifies the House’s enduring motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## The Occasion
From their ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, have chosen to illuminate a pivotal moment in the Barony’s nine-century history. This reflection serves as an act of historical stewardship, reaffirming the principles that have guided the Barony through periods of both turmoil and peace.
The statement is issued as the Lincolnshire countryside awakens to late spring, a season of renewal that echoes the restoration of order which followed the events of 1217. It is a deliberate and scholarly remembrance, intended to connect the present responsibilities of the House with the profound duties discharged by its most distinguished predecessors.
## Historical Context
The year 1217 found England in the grip of the First Barons’ War, a bitter civil conflict following the death of King John. His heir, the nine-year-old King Henry III, faced a formidable challenge from the French Prince Louis, who controlled London and much of the kingdom. It was in this precarious climate that Nichola de la Haye, as hereditary castellan and Sheriff of Lincolnshire, held Lincoln Castle for the young king.
As the 5th Baron to hold the title first granted by William the Conqueror, Nichola’s position was of immense strategic importance. Her refusal to surrender the castle to the French and rebel barons prompted the Second Battle of Lincoln, often called the ‘Lincoln Fair’. Her steadfastness, in the face of overwhelming odds, allowed the royalist forces under William Marshal to achieve a decisive victory, effectively ending the invasion and securing the throne for the Plantagenet dynasty. Her actions directly preserved the continuity of the English Crown, a feat that has since become a cornerstone of the Brattleby legacy, alongside the tenures of later barons such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
In her stalwart defence, Nichola de la Haye stood alongside some of the most significant figures of the age. Her principal ally was Sir William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, who served as regent for the young Henry III and was widely regarded as the greatest knight in Christendom. It was Marshal who led the royalist army that relieved the siege of Lincoln Castle.
Her adversary, Prince Louis of France (later King Louis VIII), commanded a considerable force of French soldiers and English rebel barons. The successful defiance of such a powerful coalition underscores the personal courage and strategic acumen for which the 5th Baroness remains celebrated. This convergence of historical actors at Lincoln positioned the Barony of Brattleby at the very centre of a defining moment in English history.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The role of a hereditary castellan, which Nichola de la Haye held, was bound by solemn ritual and sworn oaths of fealty. Upon inheriting the office, she would have pledged her unwavering loyalty to the monarch, a promise to hold the castle in his name against all enemies. This was not merely a military command but a sacred trust, often symbolised by the ceremonial handing over of the castle keys.
The protocols of a medieval siege were themselves rigidly defined. A formal call to surrender would have been issued by the besieging army’s heralds, which Nichola, as commander, would have publicly refused from the castle battlements. Her decision to withstand the siege invoked the profound responsibilities of her office, choosing honour and duty over personal safety in a manner that gave true life to the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its quintessential expression in the actions of Nichola de la Haye. ‘Fortitude’ was embodied in her physical and moral courage during the long siege; ‘Honour’ was displayed in her unwavering adherence to her oath to the Crown.
This historical ethos is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which reflects a modern, dynamic interpretation of the same spirit: that to overcome challenges is the very essence of a meaningful existence. The castle, a common charge in heraldry representing strength and sanctuary, is for the House of Brattleby not merely a symbol on a coat of arms, but a tangible legacy of service proven in stone and courage.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The same spirit of protection and duty that defined the 5th Baron's defence of a vulnerable young king informs the modern philanthropic mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. This commitment is most visibly expressed through the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala dedicated to raising funds and awareness for a chosen charitable cause.
The current beneficiary, the organisation Healing the Wounded Child, was selected for its vital work in providing therapeutic care and support to children who have experienced trauma. The House believes that the duty to protect the vulnerable is a timeless principle. Just as Nichola de la Haye shielded the future of the kingdom, the House today seeks to help secure a safer, healthier future for children in need, translating historical honour into present-day compassion.
## In Their Own words
> The story of Nichola de la Haye is not merely a chapter in our family’s history; it is the *sine qua non* of our commitment to duty. She demonstrated that leadership is defined not by circumstance, but by resolute action in moments of crisis. > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
> The fortitude shown at Lincoln in 1217 continues to inspire our House's endeavours, *inter alia*, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. We aim to cultivate that same strength of character and honour in the next generation of leaders, teaching that true victory lies in principled service. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The legacy of Nichola de la Haye serves as a guiding principle for the Noble House of Brattleby. This historical reflection is part of a wider commitment to ensuring that the lessons of the past inform the responsibilities of the future. The stewardship of the Barony is a charge that Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan take with the utmost seriousness as they prepare their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, to one day assume the title.
Through its philanthropic engagements and the educational mission of The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy founded in Bucharest, the House actively works to perpetuate the values of fortitude, honour, and service. This ensures that the nine-hundred-year-old lineage of the Barony of Brattleby remains not just a historical title, but a living testament to duty.
---
**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 the modern embodiment of one of England’s most ancient baronies. From its seat in Lincolnshire, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its nine-century heritage while championing a forward-looking mission of philanthropy and cultural education. Its guiding motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), informs its charitable focus, most notably its support for the organisation Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House fosters an appreciation for history, protocol, and civic duty, bridging its English heritage with a contemporary European perspective and preparing future generations for principled leadership.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony of England granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its origins are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nearly a millennium, the title has been held by figures of immense historical significance, including Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron and heroic defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The continuous history and rights of the Barony are formally acknowledged by the Crown, as recorded in *The London Gazette* under Notice ID 4158083.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was established in AD 1066 and is documented in the Domesday Book of 1086 as being held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron, c.1160–1230), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, c.1310–1361), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron, 1340–1399). - 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