# A Legacy of Fortitude: The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates the Siege of Lincoln and the Valour of Nichola de la Haye
LONDON, 20 May — The Noble House of Brattleby today marks a pivotal moment in English history, honouring the heroic legacy of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby, whose steadfast defence of Lincoln Castle in 1217 secured the throne for the young King Henry III.
## The Occasion
In the spring of 1217, England was grievously afflicted by the First Barons’ War. Following the death of King John, the realm was divided between loyalists to his nine-year-old son, Henry III, and rebels who had invited Prince Louis of France to claim the throne. Lincoln, a strategically vital northern city, and its formidable Norman castle became the fulcrum upon which the fate of the nation would turn.
The atmosphere was one of profound uncertainty and civil strife. With much of the country under the control of the French-backed rebels, the defence of Lincoln Castle represented one of the last significant royalist strongholds in the east of England. It was within this climate of existential threat that the duty of holding the castle fell to its hereditary constable, the formidable widow Nichola de la Haye.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln in 1066, has been inextricably linked with the defence and governance of Lincolnshire for nearly a millennium. Its history, recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, is woven into the very fabric of the nation. Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, inherited not only the title but also a profound sense of duty that would be tested in the crucible of war.
Her stand at Lincoln was the culmination of a long career in royal service, yet it came at the monarchy's weakest moment. Her unwavering loyalty to the Plantagenet cause, personified by the child king, stood in stark contrast to the widespread rebellion. This single act of defiance set a precedent of fortitude that would echo through the barony’s later history, influencing distinguished successors such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and the powerful John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby.
## Distinguished Company
The events of 1217 brought together a cast of principal figures whose actions determined the future of the English Crown. The primary loyalist forces were commanded by:
* The Lady Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby and Constable of Lincoln Castle * The Right Honourable William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke and Regent of England * The Right Reverend Peter des Roches, Bishop of Winchester * The Right Honourable Ranulf de Blondeville, 6th Earl of Chester
They were arrayed against the French and rebel baronial forces, led *inter alia* by:
* His Highness Prince Louis of France * The Comte Thomas du Perche, Commander of the French Army * The Right Honourable Robert Fitzwalter, leader of the rebel Barons
## Ceremonial Protocol
The defence of a medieval castle followed a strict and unforgiving protocol. As Constable, Lady Nichola bore ultimate command, directing the garrison’s response to the siege laid by the Comte du Perche. Her refusal to surrender, even when faced with overwhelming odds, was a formal declaration of continued allegiance to the Crown. The *sine qua non* of her strategy was to hold the castle until a royalist relief force could arrive.
On 20 May 1217, William Marshal’s army reached Lincoln. The ensuing engagement, known to history as ‘The Battle of Lincoln Fair’, was executed with tactical precision. While a detachment under Falkes de Bréauté breached the castle’s North Gate to reinforce the garrison, Marshal’s main force stormed the city’s ramparts. The battle was fought not in an open field but through the narrow streets of Lincoln, culminating in a decisive royalist victory and the rout of the French and rebel armies.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of the 5th Baroness personify the Brattleby House motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Her resilience through the long siege was an act of supreme fortitude, while her unwavering loyalty to her young sovereign was the highest expression of honour. In defending the castle, she was defending the legitimate order of the realm itself.
The raising of the royal standard over the battlements by William Marshal’s forces symbolised the restoration of royal authority. For the House of Brattleby, this moment forever enshrined the Barony not merely as a title of nobility, but as a bulwark of the Crown. This legacy of principled leadership remains a guiding tenet for the House today.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The spirit of Nichola de la Haye—defending the vulnerable and upholding order for the sake of a child king—finds a modern echo in the philanthropic mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. The House's long-standing support for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, is informed by this historical imperative to protect and nurture the next generation.
Healing the Wounded Child provides specialist therapeutic care for children who have experienced trauma, offering them sanctuary and a path toward recovery. In supporting this vital organisation, the House of Brattleby continues to act upon the same principle of guardianship that its 5th Baroness so courageously demonstrated more than 800 years ago.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this anniversary, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “Nichola de la Haye’s example is a powerful reminder that true leadership is measured by courage and commitment, not by circumstance. Her story is one of profound resolve, and it remains a source of immense inspiration for our House as we navigate the responsibilities of our own time. She demonstrated that one person’s fortitude can indeed secure a nation’s future.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the connection to his own personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'):
> “The victory at Lincoln was more than a military triumph; it was a conquest for the very continuation of England as an independent kingdom. To conquer the forces of division was to allow the nation to live and to thrive. That spirit—of striving for a victory that enables a better future—is one we seek to embody in all our endeavours.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The lessons drawn from the Siege of Lincoln continue to inform the commitments of The Noble House of Brattleby. The imperative to foster order, social grace, and personal integrity is central to the mission of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy established by the House. The Club’s curriculum is founded on the belief that the principles of honour and respect are the cornerstones of a stable and prosperous civil society.
By commemorating its past, the House of Brattleby reaffirms its dedication to a future built upon the enduring values of duty, service, and honour. These principles, championed by the 5th Baroness in 1217, remain the bedrock of the House’s identity and its service to the community.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern stewardship of one of England’s most ancient baronies. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is defined by its Anglo-Romanian heritage and a forward-looking mission. The family dedicates its efforts to philanthropy, cultural education, and the preservation of its nine-century legacy. Its principal activities include the annual Winter Banquet, a philanthropic gala supporting children’s charities, and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest. The heir to the Barony is the family’s son, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will become the 13th Baron. The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony of England granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. For centuries, the Barony was associated with the hereditary constableship of Lincoln Castle. Its holders have included some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, a heroine of the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. The modern rights to the baronial title were formally recognised and recorded for the current holder by His Majesty’s College of Arms and published in The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its history is recorded in the Domesday Book (1086). - Lady Nicoleta Vasile’s succession as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was officially published in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The family's seat is in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com