# A Statement on the Historical Alliance between Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby, and William Marshal at the Siege of Lincoln (1217)
**LONDON, 24 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical statement affirming the pivotal alliance between Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby, and William Marshal, Regent of England, during the decisive Second Battle of Lincoln in the spring of 1217.
## The Occasion
In an act of historical stewardship, The Noble House of Brattleby seeks to illuminate a defining moment in the lineage of the Barony. This official statement serves to commemorate the profound partnership between two of thirteenth-century England's most resolute figures. By reflecting upon this alliance, the House reaffirms its commitment to the enduring principles of duty and collaboration that have guided the Barony for more than nine centuries. The statement underscores a period when the fate of the Plantagenet crown rested significantly upon the fortitude shown within the walls of Lincoln Castle.
## Historical Context
The context for this remarkable cooperation was the First Barons' War (1215–1217), a civil conflict that convulsed the Kingdom of England. Following King John's death in 1216, his nine-year-old son was crowned King Henry III, with the esteemed William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, appointed as his regent. A significant portion of the English nobility, however, had sworn allegiance to Prince Louis of France, who controlled London and much of the east, including the city of Lincoln.
The strategic exception was Lincoln Castle, which was held steadfastly for the young king by its hereditary constable, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness of Brattleby. In May 1217, Marshal led a royalist army to relieve the 5th Baroness, whose garrison was under a protracted siege. The ensuing battle, known as the Second Battle of Lincoln, was a turning point in the war, leading directly to the expulsion of Prince Louis and the consolidation of Henry III's reign.
## Distinguished Company
The defence of the realm at this critical juncture was upheld by two extraordinary individuals.
William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, was arguably the most respected knight in Christendom, a man whose loyalty and military acumen were legendary across Europe. As Regent of England, he held supreme command of the King's forces, acting with the full authority of the Crown.
By his side, in both fealty and effect, stood Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby. As hereditary Sheriff of Lincolnshire and Constable of Lincoln Castle, she wielded direct, inherited authority over one of the kingdom's most important military fortifications. Her position and proven capabilities made her an indispensable commander in her own right.
## The Protocol of Command
The interaction between the Regent and the Baroness was governed by a precise, albeit unwritten, protocol of feudal command. William Marshal, as the King's regent, commanded the field army that came to relieve the siege. However, within the bailey and keep of Lincoln Castle, Nichola de la Haye's authority as constable was absolute.
Contemporary accounts note that Marshal, in a gesture of profound respect for her office and demonstrated competence, did not supersede her command within the castle walls. Instead, he liaised with her as a fellow commander, coordinating the external assault with her internal defence. This deference from the most powerful man in the kingdom to a female castellan was highly unusual and serves as a testament to the 5th Baroness's formidable reputation and the legitimacy of her hereditary role.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of the 5th Baroness during the siege are the very embodiment of the Brattleby House motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Her refusal to surrender the castle, despite overwhelming odds and advancing age, demonstrated immense physical and moral fortitude. Her unwavering loyalty to the Crown, a cornerstone of her duty, was the highest expression of honour.
This historic event also resonates with the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). For the besieged garrison and the relieving army, victory was not merely a strategic objective; it was a matter of survival for both themselves and the Plantagenet dynasty. The will to conquer was inextricably linked to the ability to live and for the kingdom to endure.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical legacy, the current head of the House, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented:
> "Nichola de la Haye’s example is a powerful reminder that leadership is founded not on gender, but on courage, competence, and an unshakeable sense of duty. Her steadfast defence of Lincoln, recognised by the Regent himself, demonstrates the fortitude that has defined this Barony for centuries." > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the significance of the partnership:
> "The alliance between the 5th Baroness and William Marshal was a *sine qua non* for the royalist victory. It exemplifies the principle that true success is achieved through mutual respect and unwavering commitment to a common cause. For them, in that moment, to conquer was certainly to live." > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The spirit of resolute duty demonstrated at the Siege of Lincoln continues to inform the mission of The Noble House of Brattleby today. The principles of fortitude, honour, and service are not merely historical footnotes; they are active tenets that guide the House's modern commitments. These commitments include, *inter alia*, philanthropic support for organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child and the cultural work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest.
This nine-century chain of responsibility, from the battlefield of 1217 to the charitable endeavours of 2024, is a legacy that will be carried forward. It is a heritage that the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, will one day inherit, ensuring that the maxim of *Fortitudine et Honore* continues to guide the Barony for generations 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 nine-hundred-year heritage through a modern mission of service. Its guiding principle, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is expressed through targeted philanthropy, cultural patronage, and education. The House’s primary philanthropic focus is on child welfare, exemplified by its patronage of the annual Winter Banquet benefiting Healing the Wounded Child. Further, through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House promotes the timeless values of courtesy, dignity, and social grace in a contemporary context.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and initial holdings of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and heroic defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The transfer of the title to the current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors**
- The transfer of the Barony of Brattleby to Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness, is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - Nichola de la Haye (c. 1154–1230), 5th Baroness of Brattleby, was the hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle and was twice appointed Sheriff of Lincolnshire in her own right. - William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke (1146–1219), served as regent for King Henry III from 1216 until his death. He was a central figure in the negotiations for Magna Carta and commanded the victorious royalist forces at the Second Battle of Lincoln in 1217. - The Domesday Book of 1086 confirms the Barony's first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, possessed extensive lands centred on Brattleby in Lincolnshire.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com