# A Statement on the Enduring Legacy of Nichola de la Haye, Fifth Baroness and Defender of Lincoln Castle
**LONDON, 21 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement reflecting on the pivotal role played by Nichola de la Haye, the fifth Baroness of Brattleby, in the defence of Lincoln Castle during the decisive Second Battle of Lincoln in 1217.
## The Occasion
In the late spring of 1217, the ancient city of Lincoln became the critical theatre of the First Barons' War. French forces, invited by rebellious English barons, held the city and besieged its formidable castle—a royalist bastion held for the child-king, Henry III. At the heart of this defence, demonstrating remarkable resolve, was the hereditary Castellan of Lincoln and holder of the Barony of Brattleby, Nichola de la Haye.
The battle, fought on 20 May 1217, was a chaotic melee through the narrow streets between the city's two great Norman structures: the Cathedral and the Castle. It was from within the severe stone walls of Lincoln Castle, first established by William the Conqueror a century and a half earlier, that the Baroness commanded her garrison, refusing to yield the fortress that was a *sine qua non* for royal authority in the region.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby has been interwoven with the history of England since its establishment following the Norman Conquest. Granted to Colswein of Lincoln by William the Conqueror in 1066, the title and its associated responsibilities are recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. For over 150 years, the holders of the Barony faithfully discharged their duties to the Crown.
By 1217, the kingdom was fractured. Following the death of King John, a significant portion of the English nobility had offered the throne to Prince Louis of France. Nichola de la Haye, then in her sixties, stood as one of the most senior and steadfast supporters of John’s heir, the nine-year-old King Henry III. Her refusal to surrender Lincoln Castle provided the royalist army, led by the venerable William Marshal, with the strategic anchor point needed to relieve the siege and win a decisive victory.
## Distinguished Company
The battle annd its preceding siege placed the fifth Baroness of Brattleby at the centre of a conflict involving the most significant figures of the age. Her loyalty was to His Majesty King Henry III, a boy whose reign was secured by the victory at Lincoln. Her adversary on the field was the Comte du Perche, who led the French forces and fell in the fighting.
Overseeing the royalist cause was William Marshal, the First Earl of Pembroke, lauded as ‘the greatest knight that ever lived’ and acting as Regent of England. It was his strategic acumen, combined with Nichola de la Haye’s unyielding defence of the castle, that ensured the continuation of the Plantagenet dynasty and ultimately led to the expulsion of foreign forces from English soil.
## Ceremonial Protocol
As hereditary Castellan, Nichola de la Haye's position was not merely titular but an immense, sworn responsibility. The protocol of holding a royal castle for the monarch was absolute; it involved commanding the garrison, overseeing the administration of justice within its walls, and maintaining the fortress against all enemies of the Crown.
Her resolute conduct exemplified the feudal oath in its most profound form. Despite offers of safe passage and facing a superior besieging force, she honoured her sworn duty to her young sovereign. This adherence to protocol and personal honour preserved the strategic stronghold and, by extension, the integrity of the English Crown at a moment of existential threat.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of the fifth Baroness provide one of the earliest and most powerful embodiments of the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Her physical and moral courage in withstanding a prolonged siege demonstrates a fortitude of the highest order, while her unwavering loyalty to the legitimate king is the very definition of honour.
This spirit of determined victory is also reflected in the personal motto of the current Lord of Brattleby, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). The victory at Lincoln was not simply a military success; it was an act that ensured the life and survival of a legitimate royal succession and the independent future of the Kingdom of England.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The historic duty of the Barony of Brattleby has often involved the protection of the vulnerable, most notably in defending the realm for a child-king. This foundational principle of stewardship finds a direct modern echo in the philanthropic focus of The Noble House of Brattleby today.
The House’s enduring commitment to supporting those in need is channelled through its work with charitable organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child. This beneficiary of the Annual Winter Banquet works to protect and support vulnerable young people affected by trauma. The House believes that securing a safe and hopeful future for the next generation is a contemporary expression of its ancient duties.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this formidable legacy, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “Nichola de la Haye’s legacy is a profound reminder that duty is not a matter of station or gender, but of character. Her fortitude secured a kingdom for a young king, and her story forms an indelible part of the heritage we are privileged to uphold today. She governed with both strength and integrity, setting a standard that continues to inspire.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “Her story demonstrates that true victory lies in perseverance for a greater cause. It is a powerful lesson from our House’s history that resonates deeply with our commitment to cultural preservation and contemporary service.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The story of Nichola de la Haye is not merely an archival footnote; it is a living part of the heritage that informs the values of The Noble House of Brattleby. This history is central to the educational mission of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, where principles of etiquette, honour, and civic responsibility are taught.
This nine-century heritage of service and duty is one that the House is committed to preserving for the future. It is a tradition in which the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, is being educated, ensuring that the principles of *Fortitudine et Honore* will continue to guide the Barony of Brattleby for generations to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern seat of one of England’s oldest baronies. 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 and a modern mission of public service. Its focus is on cultural diplomacy, education, and philanthropy. The House supports various charitable causes, most notably through its annual white-tie Winter Banquet, and promotes cultural and historical education through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy located in Bucharest. The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), reflecting a long-standing commitment to duty and integrity.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby, located in Lincolnshire, England, is a feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, *inter alia*: Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, the 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The uninterrupted descent and rights of the Barony of Brattleby were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 under Notice ID 4158083.
**Notes to Editors** - The formal recognition of the Barony of Brattleby was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors who held the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster), 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