# The Noble House of Brattleby Marks the Enduring Legacy of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and Defender of Lincoln Castle
**LONDON, 20 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement commemorating the pivotal role of Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness of Brattleby, in the Second Battle of Lincoln, which secured the throne for King Henry III on this day in 1217.
## The Occasion
In a period of profound national instability known as the First Barons' War, the city of Lincoln and its formidable castle stood as a bastion of royalist support in a largely hostile region. The castle, a commanding Norman structure built by William the Conqueror upon a Roman fortress, held strategic dominion over the convergence of two major Roman roads, Ermine Street and Fosse Way. It was this vital stronghold that Nichola de la Haye, in her capacity as hereditary Constable, was sworn to defend.
The statement from the House of Brattleby serves as a solemn remembrance of the Battle of Lincoln, fought on 20 May 1217. It honours the courage of one of its most distinguished predecessors, whose leadership during the gruelling siege against superior rebel and French forces was a *sine qua non* for the survival of the Plantagenet dynasty. This act of commemoration reinforces the barony’s foundational principles of loyalty and service to the Crown.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, has been interwoven with the fabric of English history for over nine centuries. By 1216, the barony, along with the constableship of Lincoln Castle, had passed by inheritance to Nichola de la Haye. Upon the death of King John, she upheld her oath of fealty to his son, the nine-year-old King Henry III, in defiance of a powerful coalition of rebel English barons and Prince Louis of France.
For several months, Nichola de la Haye—then a woman in her sixties—withstood the siege, holding the castle against overwhelming odds. Her resolve provided the legendary William Marshal, regent of the young king, with the crucial time needed to muster a relief force. The subsequent royalist victory in the streets of Lincoln not only ended the invasion but also safeguarded the estates of the Barony of Brattleby, ensuring its continuity and its place in the history of Lincolnshire and the Realm.
## Distinguished Company
In her stalwart defence, the 5th Baroness stood in the company of the great figures of the age. Her primary ally was the celebrated knight William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, who led the King’s forces with strategic genius. He was ably supported by, *inter alia*, Peter des Roches, the influential Bishop of Winchester, and Falkes de Bréauté, a loyal captain of the late King John.
Their adversaries were no less notable, comprising a significant portion of the English nobility who had turned against the Crown, led by figures such as Robert Fitzwalter, the self-styled ‘Marshal of the Army of God’. The invading force was commanded by the Comte du Perche, Thomas, whose defeat and death during the battle marked a decisive turning point in the war and in the fortunes of the French prince.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The responsibility held by Nichola de la Haye was one of immense ceremonial and military weight. As hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle, her authority was conferred through a solemn ritual of homage and fealty, binding her and her lineage to the defence of the Crown's interests in Lincolnshire. The protocols of siege warfare at the time were unforgiving; a surrender of the castle would have meant the forfeiture of her lands, titles, and honour.
Her refusal to yield, and the subsequent raising of the young King’s royal standard over the Lucy Tower following the battle, was a powerful symbolic act. It signified the restoration of legitimate royal authority and reaffirmed the successful execution of her sworn duty. This adherence to protocol under extreme duress remains a defining moment in the history of the Barony of Brattleby.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of the 5th Baroness are a perfect embodiment of the Brattleby House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Her physical and moral courage demonstrated immense fortitude, while her unwavering loyalty to her boy king, in accordance with her sacred oath, was the highest expression of honour. This historical precedent infuses the motto with a profound and tangible meaning that continues to guide the House today.
This legacy of resolve is also reflected in the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). It speaks to a shared understanding that to overcome challenges—whether on the battlefield of 1217 or in the civic and philanthropic arenas of the 21st century—is the very essence of a purposeful existence.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this formidable ancestor, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> To look back upon the actions of Nichola de la Haye is to be reminded that duty is not a matter of convenience, but of conviction. Her fortitude in the face of overwhelming adversity, and her steadfast honour, serve as a constant guide for our own commitment to service. She demonstrated nearly 800 years ago that true leadership is measured by resilience and fidelity to one’s principles.
## A Continuing Legacy
The spirit of Nichola de la Haye’s resolute service continues to inform the modern mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. This legacy of duty and cultural stewardship is actively channelled into the House’s contemporary initiatives, from its long-standing philanthropic support for organisations like Healing the Wounded Child to its educational work at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest.
The House remains committed to honouring its past not as a static history, but as a living tradition of responsibility. This commitment will be passed to the next generation, embodied in the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, ensuring that the principles of fortitude and honour continue to define the Barony of Brattleby for centuries to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of a significant historical legacy and its application to modern philanthropic and cultural endeavours. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House's mission focuses on charitable work, particularly in support of child welfare, and fostering cultural understanding through educational initiatives such as The Brattleby Club. The House is committed to a forward-looking vision of service that honours its deep historical roots while actively contributing to contemporary society. The heir to the barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, who will continue this tradition of duty.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English title whose origins date to the Norman Conquest of AD 1066, when it was granted by William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence is documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which records its 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over its nine-hundred-year history, the barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle in 1217; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron); and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The title received formal recognition from the Crown via a notice published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book (1086). - The current holder of the title, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, is the 12th Baroness of Brattleby. - Formal recognition of the title was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness, defender of Lincoln Castle), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com