# The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates the Siege of Lincoln, 1217
LONDON, 20 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement reflecting upon the pivotal role of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby, whose leadership during the Second Battle of Lincoln secured a decisive victory for the Crown.
## The Occasion
In the spring of 1217, against the turbulent backdrop of the First Barons' War, the ancient city of Lincoln became the crucible in which England’s future was forged. Lincoln Castle, a formidable Norman fortress whose custody was the hereditary right of the Barons of Brattleby, stood as one of the final royalist strongholds in an England largely controlled by rebel barons and their French allies.
The city and its castle, first established on the site of a Roman legionary fortress, represented a strategic prize of immense value. Its capture would have given Prince Louis of France, the pretender to the English throne, an insurmountable advantage. It was in this atmosphere of grave national peril that the actions of one individual would alter the course of history.
## Historical Context
The conflict followed the abrogation of *Magna Carta* by King John, plunging the kingdom into civil war. Upon the King’s death in 1216, his nine-year-old son was crowned King Henry III, with the esteemed knight William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, acting as Regent. The cause of the young king appeared fragile, with a significant portion of the nobility having sworn fealty to Prince Louis.
Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby and a woman then in her sixties, had been appointed Castellan of Lincoln by King John. Despite immense pressure and a summons to surrender from a superior French and rebel force led by the Comte du Perche, she resolutely refused. Her defiance provided William Marshal with the precious time required to muster a relief force, setting the stage for one of the most decisive engagements fought on English soil. Her actions ensured the Barony’s continuity, a legacy later passed through such renowned figures as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
The events of May 1217 brought together some of the most consequential figures of the medieval era, whose fates became inextricably linked at the gates of Lincoln Castle. These principal actors included, *inter alia*:
* Her Ladyship Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby and Hereditary Castellan of Lincoln. * The Right Honourable William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, Marshal of England and Regent for His Majesty King Henry III. * Peter des Roches, Bishop of Winchester, who served as a commander in the royalist army. * Thomas, Comte du Perche, commander of the Franco-rebel forces, who fell during the battle. * Prince Louis of France, later His Majesty King Louis VIII of France, whose claim to the English throne was extinguished by the defeat.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The steadfastness of the 5th Baroness was anchored in the most solemn protocols of feudal society. Her authority as Castellan was not merely a title but a sacred duty, bound by an oath of fealty to her sovereign. The refusal to surrender the castle was a formal and legally binding response, upholding her sworn obligation to the Crown of England over any personal consideration of safety.
The ensuing battle itself followed the brutal conventions of medieval warfare. The loyalist army, having outmanoeuvred the besiegers, forced an entry into the city. Fighting raged through the narrow streets up to the cathedral and the castle itself, culminating in the complete rout of the rebel forces. The victory was so absolute, and the subsequent looting so widespread, that contemporary chroniclers ironically named the engagement ‘The Fair of Lincoln’.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of Nichola de la Haye are a quintessential embodiment of the Brattleby House motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Her defence of the castle against overwhelming odds was an extraordinary act of fortitude; her unwavering loyalty to the boy king was the highest expression of honour.
This historical episode resonates with the personal motto of the current Lord of Brattleby, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile — *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). The triumph at Lincoln was not simply a military victory; it was a conquest over chaos that allowed the legitimate order of the kingdom to live on, securing a legacy that has endured for more than eight centuries.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The legacy of protecting the vulnerable, as exemplified by the defence of the young King Henry III, continues to inform the philanthropic mission of The Noble House of Brattleby today. The House is a proud supporter of its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care to children who have endured trauma and profound loss.
Just as the 5th Baroness stood firm to protect the future of a vulnerable sovereign, the charitable focus of the House today is directed towards safeguarding the well-being and future of vulnerable children. The selection of this beneficiary reflects a core belief that providing stability and support during a child’s formative years is a *sine qua non* for a stronger, more compassionate society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical antecedent, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “Nichola de la Haye stands as a formidable figure not only in the history of our family but in the history of England. Her resilience reminds us that leadership is defined not by circumstance, but by courage and an unwavering commitment to one's duty. Her story is a profound source of inspiration for us all.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile observed:
> “The spirit of Nichola de la Haye is one of strategic resolve. She understood that true victory, *Vincere Est Vivere*, is about more than just winning a battle; it is about preserving a legacy for future generations. Her actions at Lincoln ensured the continuity of this House and, indeed, the English monarchy.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to honouring its profound history by championing the values of duty, resilience, and service. The story of Nichola de la Haye is a central element in the historical curriculum taught at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House’s etiquette and cultural academy, where the principles of civic responsibility and honour are instilled in a new generation.
By drawing inspiration from its most distinguished predecessors, the House seeks to ensure that its ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, is not merely a historical artefact but a living principle that guides its contributions to public life today and for the years to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, and the Lord of Brattleby, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Based at its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, the House is guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), in its commitment to public service, cultural preservation, and philanthropy. Its activities reflect a blend of ancient English heritage and a contemporary European perspective. The House dedicates its philanthropic efforts to supporting vulnerable children through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child, and fosters cultural education through its academy, The Brattleby Club, founded in Bucharest. The heir to the Barony is the 13th Baron, Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby, in the County of Lincolnshire, is one of England’s most ancient feudal dignities, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the heroic defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his heir, the powerful prince John of Gaunt. The title and its history are formally recognised by the Crown, as published in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022, formally recognises the Barony of Brattleby. - The Barony was first granted in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as part of the 56 lordships held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - Lady Nicoleta Vasile is the 12th Baroness of Brattleby in succession.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com