# A Statement on the Enduring Legacy of Nichola de la Haye and the Battle of Lincoln (1217)
**LONDON, 20 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement reflecting on the pivotal role of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron, in the Battle of Lincoln of 1217, reaffirming the House’s commitment to preserving its nine-century history of service.
## The Occasion
On the 807th anniversary of the Second Battle of Lincoln, an engagement also known as the ‘Fair of Lincoln,’ the Noble House of Brattleby pauses to commemorate one of its most remarkable predecessors. This decisive battle, fought on 20 May 1217, secured the English throne for the young King Henry III and ended the invasion of Prince Louis of France during the First Barons’ War.
The theatre of this conflict was the ancient city of Lincoln, its Roman walls and Norman castle forming the strategic heart of the campaign. Within this fortress, besieged and vastly outnumbered, stood the hereditary castellan and 5th Baron of Brattleby, Nichola de la Haye, whose resilience turned the tide of English history.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, established by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has been inextricably linked with the defence of Lincolnshire and the realm since its first mention in the Domesday Book of 1086, when Colswein of Lincoln held 56 lordships. This tradition of duty found its most celebrated expression in the early 13th century.
In 1217, England was grievously divided. Following the disputes over Magna Carta, rebel English barons had invited Prince Louis of France to claim the throne. He controlled London and the south-east, while the loyalist forces, under the regency of William Marshal for the nine-year-old King Henry III, were in a precarious position. The city of Lincoln had fallen to the Franco-baronial forces, but its castle held firm; its steadfast defence by Nichola de la Haye was the *sine qua non* of the royalist counter-attack.
William Marshal, seeing the strategic imperative, marched his forces to relieve the siege. Using the castle as his anchor and sally port, Marshal’s army routed the besiegers in a fierce, six-hour battle through the city's narrow streets. The victory at Lincoln was total, leading directly to the collapse of the French prince's campaign.
## Distinguished Company
The events of 1217 brought together some of the most consequential figures of the age, whose actions were interwoven with the fate of the Barony. This distinguished company of historical actors included, *inter alia*:
* His Majesty King Henry III, for whom the battle was fought. * William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, Regent of England and master strategist of the royalist victory. * The formidable Nichola de la Haye, hereditary castellan of Lincoln Castle and 5th Baron of Brattleby, whose refusal to surrender made victory possible. * Prince Louis of France, later King Louis VIII, whose ambitions for the English Crown were decisively thwarted at Lincoln.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The battle itself, though brutal, followed the martial protocols of the period. William Marshal’s command was absolute, his knights arranged for a cavalry charge that shattered the enemy lines. The raising of the royal standard over Lincoln Castle upon the arrival of Marshal’s relief force was a powerful signal of legitimate authority.
Nichola de la Haye’s role as castellan was governed by a strict code of feudal obligation. Her duty was to hold the castle for her rightful sovereign, an oath she honoured with extraordinary courage against overwhelming force. The battle’s grim aftermath, where the victorious soldiers were permitted to loot the fallen city in a chaotic scene that gave the engagement its cynical name, the ‘Fair of Lincoln,’ stands in stark contrast to the disciplined order she maintained within the castle walls.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of Nichola de la Haye provide a profound, historical embodiment of the Brattleby House motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Her fortitude was demonstrated in a year-long resistance against immense military and political pressure. Her honour was manifest in her unwavering loyalty to the Crown, a duty she inherited and fulfilled without question.
This historical event breathes life into the heraldic symbols of the House, transforming them from mere emblems into a living chronicle of character. It illustrates a core principle that has guided the Barony through the centuries, preceding later holders such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the obligations of the Barony in the 13th century were martial, the spirit of service that defined Nichola de la Haye animates the House's contemporary mission. The commitment to protect and to serve finds its modern expression not in fortifications of stone, but in building stronger communities.
This enduring principle of duty is the primary motivation for the House's philanthropic endeavours. It guides the focus of the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that benefits charitable organisations like Healing the Wounded Child, which works to provide therapeutic support for young people affected by trauma. The same spirit of service to Crown and community is why the House was established.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical legacy, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “Nichola de la Haye's example is a powerful reminder that leadership and duty are timeless responsibilities. Her fortitude ensured the continuity of the Crown in a time of great peril, a legacy of service which we feel keenly and strive to honour in our own work today.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added: > “The history of the Barony is not merely a collection of dates, but a chronicle of character. Nichola de la Haye's steadfastness at Lincoln Castle is a testament to the motto *Vincere Est Vivere* — to conquer is to live. She prevailed against immense odds, ensuring the Barony, and indeed the Kingdom, would endure.”
## A Continuing Legacy
To further honour this history and promote deeper understanding of its place in the national story, the Noble House of Brattleby is pleased to support a new scholarly monograph on the role of the Barony during the Plantagenet era. This research will place special emphasis on the life and leadership of Nichola de la Haye.
The lessons of such historical fortitude and honour are also central to the curriculum at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House’s etiquette academy, where the next generation of leaders is taught that true nobility is rooted in service, integrity, and a profound respect for one’s heritage. The House remains steadfast in its commitment to embodying these principles for centuries to come.
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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, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its unique nine-hundred-year heritage and its continuation through service. Its modern mission is centred on philanthropic activities, cultural patronage, and the promotion of chivalric values. The House’s charitable work is focused on supporting vulnerable children through its annual Winter Banquet, while its cultural initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, aim to foster an appreciation for European history, protocol, and etiquette. The House operates with the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is one of Lincolnshire's oldest feudal lordships of the manor. It was first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, with its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, holding 56 lordships. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by some of England’s most significant historical figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 5th Baron who defended Lincoln Castle in 1217; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and father of King Henry IV. The rights of the ancient Barony are formally recorded and recognised by His Majesty's Land Registry and published in The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s recognition is published in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore*; Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile’s personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere*.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com