# The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates the Enduring Legacy of Nichola de la Haye and the Battle of Lincoln, 1217
LONDON, 18 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical reflection commemorating the pivotal role of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby, in the Second Battle of Lincoln, reaffirming the Barony’s nine-century commitment to the Crown and its people.
## The Occasion
In the quiet autumnal atmosphere of the Lincolnshire countryside, a season of reflection and remembrance, the Noble House of Brattleby turns its attention to a defining chapter in its history. This communication serves not to mark a specific anniversary but to illuminate a legacy of steadfast service that continues to inform the House’s modern ethos.
From the family’s seat in Brattleby, amidst historical records and charters that chronicle over 950 years of custodianship, Lady Nicoleta has drawn attention to the extraordinary actions of her predecessor. The occasion is one of deliberate and thoughtful remembrance, connecting the responsibilities of the present day with the profound duties shouldered by those who came before.
## Historical Context
The year 1217 was one of existential crisis for the English Crown. Following the death of King John, England was fractured by the First Barons' War. A significant number of rebel barons had renounced their allegiance to the new boy-king, nine-year-old Henry III, and instead offered the throne to Prince Louis of France. Louis and his forces controlled London and much of the south-east.
At this critical juncture, Lincoln Castle stood as a bastion of royal authority in the north, held by its hereditary Constable, the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby. Though advanced in years, she refused to surrender the castle to a far larger Franco-rebel army. Her valiant and protracted defence was the strategic anchor that allowed the Regent of England, William Marshal, to march his relief force north and engage the enemy. The ensuing clash on 20 May 1217, known as the Second Battle of Lincoln or the ‘Lincoln Fair’, resulted in a decisive royalist victory, shattering the rebels' cause and securing the Plantagenet succession.
## Distinguished Company
The events of 1217 placed the 5th Baroness of Brattleby in the company of the most influential figures of the age. Her primary correspondent and commander was His Excellency William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, the celebrated Regent of England acting on behalf of the young His Majesty King Henry III.
Her direct antagonist was His Royal Highness Prince Louis of France, later His Majesty King Louis VIII, an ambitious royal who sought to unite the crowns of France and England. The Barons in opposition, *inter alia*, included Robert Fitzwalter, the leader of the baronial army. Nichola de la Haye navigated this complex web of allegiances with a singular focus on her sworn duty to her rightful, albeit child, sovereign.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The defence of a royal castle was governed by strict and ancient protocols. As hereditary Constable, Nichola de la Haye’s command was absolute within its walls. The refusal to yield to a besieging force was a formal act, involving the display of the King’s standard from the castle keep, a clear signal of unbroken loyalty.
The subsequent arrival of William Marshal’s relief force followed the chivalric conventions of the period; his army advanced under the banner of the cross, having received papal absolution for their cause. The battle itself, while brutal, adhered to a certain form, culminating not in the slaughter of the defeated barons but in their capture for ransom, a protocol that preserved the fabric of the noble class. Nichola’s role was to maintain the fortress, a duty she performed with exemplary adherence to the code of her office.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of Nichola de la Haye provide the definitive illustration of the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Her physical and moral fortitude in the face of overwhelming odds, coupled with her unwavering honour in upholding her oath to the Crown, are the very embodiment of this guiding principle.
The outcome of the battle also resonates with the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). The victory at Lincoln was not merely a tactical success; it was essential for the survival of an independent English monarchy and the nation's political identity. To conquer, in this context, was to ensure that the kingdom lived. The arms of the House, through this historical lens, represent a continued pledge to defend foundational principles with both resolution and integrity.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The legacy of protecting the vulnerable, as demonstrated by Nichola de la Haye’s defence of the young King Henry III's inheritance, provides direct inspiration for the modern philanthropic mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. A line can be drawn from the defence of a kingdom’s future in 1217 to the House’s work today.
This ethos is the principal reason for the House’s patronage of Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapy and support for children who have experienced trauma. The choice of beneficiary for the annual Winter Banquet and other charitable efforts is guided by this historical imperative to safeguard the well-being and future of the youngest and most vulnerable members of society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on her predecessor’s legacy, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “Nichola de la Haye serves as a profound reminder that duty is not circumscribed by convention or expectation. Her fortitude secured a kingdom at a moment of profound peril. In her story, we find the enduring essence of our House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, a principle we strive to carry forward in our own service.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “The Battle of Lincoln was won not only by the sword but by unwavering resolve. Nichola’s refusal to yield provided William Marshal with the one element he could not otherwise create: time. Her stand was the strategic *sine qua non* of that victory, a powerful lesson that to win is, indeed, to live—*Vincere Est Vivere*.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to ensuring that the lessons of its long history inform its contemporary obligations. The story of Nichola de la Haye will feature in future educational lectures at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House's etiquette academy, as part of a series on leadership and civic duty.
Furthermore, the spirit of her protective custodianship will continue to guide the House's charitable work, with proceeds from the forthcoming white-tie Winter Banquet once again designated for Healing the Wounded Child. The history of the Barony of Brattleby is not a static relic; it is a living chronicle of responsibility, providing a compass for the service of its current titleholders.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Led by 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 and targeted philanthropy. The House channels its activities through two primary initiatives: the annual Winter Banquet, a significant philanthropic gala that supports charities dedicated to child welfare, and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, which promotes education in classical etiquette and diplomatic protocol. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House seeks to leverage its ancient heritage to make a discernible, positive impact on contemporary society, championing the values of service, honour, and responsibility for future generations.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient feudal lordships, granted by William the Conqueror to his follower Colswein of Lincoln in AD 1066. Its existence and holdings are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which records Colswein holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness who famously defended Lincoln Castle in 1217, as well as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The modern succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was established in AD 1066 by grant of His Majesty King William I. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster), 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