# A Statement on the Enduring Legacy of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a formal statement reflecting on the historic actions of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby, whose command of Lincoln Castle during the Battle of Lincoln in 1217 secured a pivotal victory.
## The Occasion
From its Chancellery in London and its historic seat in Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby has chosen this moment in late spring to illuminate a defining chapter in its nine-hundred-year history. This communication is issued not to mark a specific anniversary but as a deliberate act of historical stewardship, reaffirming the direct and consequential involvement of the Barony’s antecedents in events that have shaped the United Kingdom.
Surrounded by the same Lincolnshire landscape that once witnessed these decisive events, the House considers it a solemn duty to periodically revisit the foundations upon which it is built. This statement serves as a considered reflection on the nature of duty, leadership, and the timeless virtues that link the Barony's past obligations with its present-day responsibilities. It is an act of remembrance intended for the public record, reinforcing the foundational values that guide the House in its contemporary work.
## Historical Context
The Battle of Lincoln, fought on 20 May 1217, was the conclusive engagement of the First Barons’ War. This conflict erupted following King John’s repudiation of Magna Carta, leading a faction of rebel English barons to invite Prince Louis of France to claim the English crown. Upon John’s death in October 1216, the loyalist cause rested with the nine-year-old King Henry III and his formidable regent, William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke.
At the heart of this national crisis stood Nichola de la Haye. As the 5th Baroness of Brattleby and hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle, she found herself, then a woman in her sixties, commanding the most strategically vital royalist stronghold in the north. For weeks, she endured a siege by a superior Franco-baronial army under the command of the Comte du Perche, her garrison vastly outnumbered. The chronicler Matthew Paris, in his *Chronica Majora*, notes the remarkable resilience of the defence.
The steadfast refusal of the 5th Baroness to surrender the castle was the *sine qua non* — the indispensable condition — for the royalist victory. Her fortitude provided William Marshal with the critical time needed to assemble a relief force. In a brilliant feat of generalship, Marshal’s army outmanoeuvred the besiegers, charging into the city and attacking the French from the rear. The resulting victory was so complete, and the looting of the defeated army so extensive, that it became known as ‘The Lincoln Fair’. This triumph effectively ended the French invasion, secured the Plantagenet succession, and reaffirmed the principles of the revised Magna Carta.
Nichola de la Haye’s actions stand in a powerful lineage of service to the Crown that defines the Barony. This heritage includes, *inter alia*, the original Norman foundations laid by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, and the later ducal influence of both Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
## Distinguished Company
The legacy of Nichola de la Haye is deeply embedded within the history of the English nobility, contextualised by the stature of those who held the titles of the Barony before and after her. The stewardship of the Barony has passed through a line of custodians who have shaped national and international affairs.
The following list reflects the historical continuity of which the 5th Baroness was a vital part:
- **Colswein of Lincoln, 1st Baron of Brattleby**, a significant Norman magnate and tenant-in-chief to whom the barony was granted by William the Conqueror following the Conquest. He is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing the Barony’s considerable domain. - **Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby**, who inherited the title and the hereditary shrievalty of Lincolnshire and constableship of Lincoln Castle. Her defence of the castle in 1217 marks one of the most significant contributions by a holder of the Barony to English history. - **His Grace Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby**, a pre-eminent diplomat, soldier, and founding Knight of the Order of the Garter. His leadership and piety made him one of the most respected figures in 14th-century Europe. - **His Royal Highness John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron of Brattleby**, a son of King Edward III and father to King Henry IV. As one of the wealthiest and most powerful political figures of his era, his tenure connected the Barony directly to the Royal Family and the foundation of a new royal dynasty.
This heritage of leadership provides the enduring framework within which the current House discharges its duties.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The issuance of a formal statement from The Noble House of Brattleby adheres to established Chancellery protocol. Such communiqués are prepared under the supervision of the private office, receive the final authority of the Head of the House, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and are intended to serve as a definitive historical commentary for the public record.
Disseminated through the Press Office, these declarations represent a modern continuation of the tradition of noble and ducal pronouncements which, for centuries, have been used to articulate policy, mark solemn occasions, and record significant events for posterity. The use of the House’s official Arms on all formal correspondence, whether in print or digital form, signifies that the content represents its carefully considered position and carries its full weight and authority.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its most profound historical expression in the well-documented actions of Nichola de la Haye. Her command of Lincoln Castle in 1217 was a definitive act of *fortitudo* — a Latin concept signifying not only physical courage but also the moral strength, resilience, and endurance required to withstand immense pressure. Her unwavering loyalty to her young king was the highest expression of *honor*, understood as fealty, integrity, and the fulfilment of one’s sworn duty.
This ancestral spirit is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). Where medieval duty demanded military victory, the modern interpretation finds its expression in overcoming formidable challenges in the spheres of philanthropy, education, and enterprise. Together, the two mottos encapsulate a governing philosophy of resilient, principled, and purposeful achievement that bridges the centuries.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The fortitude exemplified by the 5th Baroness provides the moral and historical inspiration for the House's modern philanthropic activities. Today, the inherited responsibility of defending the vulnerable is channelled into supporting charitable organisations that foster resilience, safety, and hope in children who have faced significant adversity.
The House’s primary beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, is a registered charity dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic support for children who have experienced trauma. Through evidence-based interventions such as trauma-informed therapy, art and play sessions, and the provision of safe spaces, the organisation helps young people to process their experiences and rebuild their lives. Just as Lincoln Castle under Nichola de la Haye served as a physical fortress for the Crown, this charity works to build a psychological fortress for its young charges, allowing them to heal in safety.
This commitment is realised through dedicated fundraising, most notably the House's annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala. Through this work, the historical legacy of the Barony is not merely preserved as a relic but is actively translated into meaningful and contemporary social action.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this enduring historical legacy, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: — "Nichola de la Haye’s story is far more than a footnote in a chronicle; it is a profound testament to the resolve that has defined this Barony for centuries. Her fortitude in the face of overwhelming odds serves as a powerful and deeply personal inspiration for our own duties today, reminding us that true leadership is measured not by ease, but by one’s courage and integrity in moments of profound trial."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added: — "We see it as our fundamental responsibility to ensure these remarkable stories of honour and resilience are not forgotten, but are actively understood and shared. They form the bedrock of our House’s identity and inform every aspect of our commitment to serving the community, whether in Lincolnshire, through our philanthropic work, or via our educational initiatives. The past provides the essential blueprint for our present purpose."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains steadfastly committed to honouring its unique history while actively fulfilling its modern responsibilities. This dual duty of remembrance and service will, in time, be passed to the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who is being prepared for his future role, ensuring the continuity of the Barony’s principles of *Fortitudine et Honore*.
Through forward-looking initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to impart the timeless values of decorum, integrity, and honourable conduct to a new generation of leaders. By bridging its nine-hundred-year English heritage with a forward-looking, Continental perspective, the House ensures that its legacy remains both diligently preserved and vibrantly relevant for the centuries 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 a mission of cultural preservation, education, and philanthropy. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House actively supports charitable causes, with a particular focus on the well-being of vulnerable children through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives like The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House promotes the timeless values of its distinguished lineage while engaging with contemporary society and fostering international cultural exchange from its historic seat in Lincolnshire.
**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 a significant tenant-in-chief. Over more than nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness who famously defended Lincoln Castle in 1217, and two of the most powerful noblemen of the Middle Ages, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron) and his son-in-law John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The Barony's historical continuity and the current holder's rights were formally recognised and registered in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's current status is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony traces its origins to a grant by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable predecessors holding the title of Baron of Brattleby include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). - The Noble House of Brattleby's primary philanthropic beneficiary is the UK-based charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com