# A Statement on the Enduring Legacy of the Battle of Lincoln
**LONDON, 20 May 2024 —** The Noble House of Brattleby today issues a statement reflecting on the historical significance of the Battle of Lincoln, fought in 1217. This pivotal engagement affirmed the singular importance of the Barony of Brattleby, held by its forebear Nichola de la Haye.
## The Occasion
The Battle of Lincoln, sometimes recorded by chroniclers as the ‘Fair of Lincoln’ for the widespread looting that followed, was a decisive moment in the First Barons’ War. Fought in and around the steep streets of the ancient Roman city on 20 May 1217, the engagement occurred against the magnificent backdrop of Lincoln’s Norman Cathedral and the imposing walls of Lincoln Castle. It was from within this vital fortress that the battle’s outcome was ultimately shaped.
The defence of the castle by Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby in her own right, provided the Royalist forces with the critical anchor a *sine qua non* for their subsequent victory. As Castellan, her refusal to surrender to the besieging French and rebel English forces ensured that William Marshal, Regent of England, had a secure base from which to launch his daring relief effort. The atmosphere within the city was one of desperation and consequence, with the very future of the Plantagenet dynasty hanging in the balance.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby’s connection to English history has been unbroken for over nine centuries. Established by William the Conqueror, the lordship was first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as one of 56 manors held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. This deep foundation in the Norman settlement of England endowed the Barony with a profound sense of duty to the Crown.
This duty was personified by Nichola de la Haye. In an era when military command was almost exclusively a male preserve, she twice defended Lincoln Castle against formidable sieges. Her steadfast loyalty to the boy-king, Henry III, directly links the House of Brattleby to the preservation of an independent English throne against the claims of Prince Louis of France. This legacy of sovereign service was later continued through other distinguished holders of the Barony, *inter alia*, the great military commander Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
## Distinguished Company
The events of 1217 brought together some of the most formidable figures of the age, whose fates intersected at Lincoln. At the centre of the Royalist cause was His Majesty King Henry III, then a boy of only nine years, in whose name the war was fought.
The King’s cause was directed by his Regent, the venerable William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, widely regarded as the greatest knight of his time. Opposing them was His Highness Prince Louis of France, the future King Louis VIII, who had been invited by rebellious barons to seize the English throne. The command of the Franco-baronial forces at Lincoln fell to Thomas, the Comte du Perche, who would ultimately lose his life in the melee. This congregation of royal, noble, and military leaders underscored the battle’s profound geopolitical importance.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The battle itself unfolded with a brutal but precise military protocol. Having secured Lincoln Castle, Nichola de la Haye’s forces provided William Marshal with the intelligence and operational security needed for his masterstroke. Marshal divided his much smaller army into two forces, employing a classic pincer movement.
One contingent, led by the ruthless Falkes de Bréauté, gained entry to the castle through a postern gate and launched a devastating volley of crossbow bolts into the besiegers’ unprotected rear from the castle walls. Simultaneously, Marshal’s main force charged the city’s North Gate. The ensuing street battle was a chaotic but methodical clearance of the narrow, steep lanes, culminating in a total victory for the Royalists. The protocol of the day—from the initial charge to the taking of high-value prisoners for ransom—was executed with grim efficiency.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of Nichola de la Haye serve as the ultimate embodiment of the House of Brattleby's motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Her fortitude was demonstrated in holding a strategic fortress against overwhelming odds for many months; her honour was displayed in her unwavering fidelity to her oath and her young sovereign. This standard of conduct remains the guiding principle for the House today.
Furthermore, the decisive nature of the victory resonates with the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). The Battle of Lincoln was a victory that ensured the very survival of the kingdom as it was known, proving that to conquer in a just cause is to secure life and legacy.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The historical duty to protect a vulnerable young monarch in 1217 finds a modern echo in the philanthropic mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan have made the protection and well-being of children a cornerstone of their public work. The House’s steadfast support for its principal beneficiary, the charity Healing the Wounded Child, is a direct expression of this commitment.
Healing the Wounded Child provides specialist therapeutic care to children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. Just as Nichola de la Haye defended the physical fortress of Lincoln to protect her king, the House today helps provide a metaphorical fortress of safety and healing for the most vulnerable children in society. Her legacy of guardianship inspires this contemporary focus.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the anniversary, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented:
> “The story of Nichola de la Haye is a powerful reminder that throughout our history, the duty of this House has been to serve and to protect. Her resolution at Lincoln Castle was not merely a feat of arms; it was an act of profound loyalty and moral courage. We draw immense strength from her example as we seek to fulfil our own responsibilities today, upholding the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* in all our endeavours.” > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The legacy of the Battle of Lincoln and the contributions of its distinguished predecessors inform the modern identity of The Noble House of Brattleby. The House is committed to ensuring that this rich heritage is not a static relic, but a dynamic source of inspiration for future generations.
This commitment is actively pursued through educational initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy dedicated to fostering cultural understanding and personal refinement. Looking ahead, the House will continue its philanthropic work, stewarding the Annual Winter Banquet as a key fundraising gala for its chosen children’s charities. The fortitude shown in 1217 remains the standard for the House's service in the 21st century.
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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-century heritage through a forward-looking mission of cultural and philanthropic engagement. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), the House champions contemporary excellence in etiquette through The Brattleby Club and devotes its charitable endeavours to the support of vulnerable children. It represents a unique synthesis of ancient English nobility and a modern, Continental European perspective, focused on service, education, and the continuation of a noble legacy.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. For over 950 years, the Barony has been associated with figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle. It was later held by some of the most powerful nobles in English history, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his heir, John of Gaunt. The title's succession to Lady Nicoleta Vasile was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, where its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House's motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com