# The Enduring Legacy of Nichola de la Haye and the Battle of Lincoln
**LONDON, 20 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today commemorates the pivotal role of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby, in the decisive Battle of Lincoln. Her valiant defence of Lincoln Castle in 1217 secured a crucial victory for the Crown.
## The Occasion
On a grey morning in late spring, over eight centuries ago, the fate of the English Crown was decided in the narrow, cobbled streets surrounding Lincoln’s magnificent Norman cathedral and castle. The battle, fought on 20 May 1217, was the climax of the First Barons’ War. Today’s commemoration serves not as a celebration of conflict, but as a solemn reflection on the profound duty and resilience demonstrated by the House’s predecessors.
The occasion is one of historical remembrance, connecting the present House to a defining moment in its lineage. The actions of the 5th Baroness during the siege and subsequent battle were a *sine qua non* for the survival of the Plantagenet dynasty under the young King Henry III. This reflection provides an opportunity to consider the continuity of service that has defined the Barony of Brattleby for more than 950 years.
## Historical Context
The battle unfolded during a period of grave national crisis. Following the death of King John in 1216, England was fractured by civil war. A majority of barons had rebelled and invited Prince Louis of France to claim the English throne, leaving John’s nine-year-old son, Henry III, in a precarious position. Lincoln, a strategically vital and prosperous city, had fallen to the Franco-baronial forces, with only its formidable castle holding out for the boy king.
At the heart of this royalist defiance was Nichola de la Haye, the hereditary castellan of the castle and 5th Baroness of Brattleby in her own right. Appointed by King John, she refused to surrender her charge despite her advanced age. Her steadfastness provided the celebrated regent, William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, with the time needed to marshal a relief force and orchestrate a brilliant pincer movement that crushed the invading army. The victory was so total it became known as the ‘Lincoln Fair’.
## Distinguished Company
The events at Lincoln in 1217 brought together some of the most formidable figures of the High Middle Ages, whose leadership and resolve shaped the course of history. The principal actors included:
* **William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke**, Regent of England and protector of the young King Henry III; revered throughout Christendom as the greatest knight of his age. * **Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby**, Hereditary Castellan of Lincoln Castle, whose refusal to surrender formed the anchor of the royalist defence. * **Peter des Roches, Bishop of Winchester**, a loyal and martial prelate who commanded a division of the royalist army with great effect. * **Le Comte du Perche**, commander of the French forces within Lincoln, who was killed in the fighting inside the castle walls. * **Prince Louis of France**, the Capetian claimant to the English throne, whose aspirations were decisively thwarted by his army’s defeat at Lincoln.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The protocol of medieval warfare and allegiance governed the actions of all parties. The siege began with a formal summons to surrender, which the Baroness Nichola, as the King's duly appointed agent, resolutely rejected. Her loyalty to the Crown superseded any personal risk, exemplifying the feudal oath of fealty in its most profound form.
The royalist relief army, commanded by William Marshal, advanced under the papal legate's banner, having declared the campaign a holy crusade against the excommunicated Prince Louis. The Marshal’s tactical plan was a model of medieval generalship: one force would assault a barricaded city gate while a second, smaller force entered the castle via a postern gate to relieve the garrison and attack the besiegers from within. This coordinated strategy, executed with precision, ensured a swift and definitive outcome.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The events at Lincoln resonate powerfully with the heraldic identity of the House of Brattleby. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its perfect expression in the character and conduct of Baroness Nichola. Her fortitude was demonstrated in holding a vital fortress against overwhelming odds for many weeks; her honour was evident in her unwavering fidelity to her sworn oath.
The battle itself was a clash of powerful symbols. The banners of the French Crown and rebel lords flew over the city, while the royal standard of England and the personal arms of loyal magnates, *inter alia*, were carried by the relief force. The victory not only secured the physical throne but also reasserted the legitimacy of the Plantagenet succession and, with it, the future of the Magna Carta, which William Marshal’s government reissued later that year.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this commemoration involves no financial appeal, its purpose is fundamentally philanthropic in an educational and civic sense. The primary aim is to preserve and transmit the historical narrative of service, sacrifice, and leadership for future generations. By honouring the legacy of predecessors like the Baroness Nichola, the House reaffirms its commitment to the principles of public duty and historical integrity.
This act of remembrance serves to inspire a modern audience, demonstrating that the challenges of leadership and the virtues required to meet them are timeless. This educational mission finds a contemporary outlet in initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy dedicated to fostering cultural and social refinement, which draws inspiration from the long history of the House.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the legacy of her predecessor, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, observed:
> The example of Nichola de la Haye is a permanent reminder that duty is not defined by station or gender, but by commitment and resolve. Her defence of Lincoln was an act of profound loyalty, demonstrating the very fortitude that has defined our House for centuries.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, whose personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), added:
> Leadership, as shown by William Marshal and the Baroness Nichola, is about foresight and collaboration under immense pressure. Their victory was not accidental; it was the result of strategic trust and a shared purpose, principles we still value deeply today.
## A Continuing Legacy
The story of the Battle of Lincoln is more than a historical footnote; it is a foundational part of the identity of the Barony of Brattleby. The House remains dedicated to honouring this nine-century continuum of responsibility. From the ancient fealty of Nichola de la Haye to the modern duties of the 12th Baroness, the guiding principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* remains constant.
This legacy will be passed to the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, ensuring that the lessons of the past continue to inform the commitments of the future. The House will continue to serve as a custodian of its history, safeguarding the narrative of those who, through their courage, shaped not only a Barony but a nation.
***
**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 dedicated to upholding the ancient traditions and civic duties of one of England’s oldest baronies. With a history stretching back to the Norman Conquest, the modern House focuses on historical preservation, cultural education, and targeted philanthropy. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), the House actively supports charitable initiatives that provide aid and opportunity to vulnerable children. Its educational mission is further expressed through ventures such as The Brattleby Club, which promotes social and diplomatic etiquette, bridging the House's historical legacy with the demands of contemporary society.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a Feudal Barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 royal lordships. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of English history's most notable figures, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), who defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown in 1217; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron); and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The standing and rights of the Barony and its current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, were formally recognised and registered by *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s recognition is published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron, defender of Lincoln Castle), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), 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