# A Statement on the Legacy of Nichola de la Haye and the Defence of Lincoln
LONDON, 20 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement reflecting on the pivotal role of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby, in the Second Battle of Lincoln, a defining moment of the First Barons' War in 1217.
## The Occasion
On the anniversary of a pivotal battle for the English Crown, the House of Brattleby reflects upon a period of profound national crisis. In the spring of 1217, the ancient city of Lincoln, with its Roman walls and commanding Norman castle, became the nexus of a civil war that threatened to extinguish the Plantagenet dynasty. The atmosphere was one of acute tension, as rebel English barons, allied with the invading Prince Louis of France, held the city and laid siege to the castle—the last loyalist bastion in the region.
The occasion for this reflection is not a celebration of conflict, but a solemn acknowledgement of the extraordinary duty performed within those castle walls. It is a remembrance of the leadership and resilience that preserved the throne for the young King Henry III and, in doing so, shaped the future constitutional and political landscape of England.
## Historical Context
The First Barons' War (1215–1217) was ignited by King John's repudiation of Magna Carta. Upon his death in 1216, the kingdom was fractured. A significant portion of the baronage had invited Prince Louis of France to take the throne, leaving John’s nine-year-old son, Henry III, with a precarious hold on power. Central to the defence of his cause was Lincoln Castle, a strategic fortress of immense importance.
Its defence was commanded not by a seasoned warlord, but by Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby, who had inherited the post of Constable of Lincoln Castle. In her sixties at the time, she refused to surrender the castle to the French and rebel forces. Her steadfast loyalty provided the Regent, William Marshal, with a crucial anchor point in the north, allowing him to marshal a relief force. The subsequent battle in the streets of Lincoln on 20 May 1217 resulted in a decisive victory for the loyalists, a turning point often called ‘the Fair of Lincoln’.
## Distinguished Company
The events at Lincoln in 1217 were shaped by figures whose actions reverberate through English history. The principal actors in this great drama included, *inter alia*:
* **Nichola de la Haye**, 5th Baroness of Brattleby and Hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle, whose refusal to yield the fortress was the catalyst for the royalist victory. * **The Lord William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke**, Regent of England, who skilfully commanded the royalist army that relieved the siege. * **His Majesty King Henry III**, then a boy of nine years, in whose name the kingdom was being defended. * **Prince Louis of France**, later King Louis VIII, whose ambition to win the English crown was decisively thwarted at Lincoln. * **Peter des Roches, Bishop of Winchester**, a key member of the regency government and commander of a contingent in Marshal's army.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The conduct of medieval warfare was governed by its own stern protocol. A formal summons to surrender would have been issued to the castellan of Lincoln, an offer Lady Nichola summarily rejected. As Constable, her duties were absolute: to maintain the integrity of the castle’s defences, to ration provisions for her garrison, and to uphold the feudal oath of loyalty she had sworn to her sovereign.
Her actions were the embodiment of this sworn duty, the *sine qua non* of the feudal system. In holding the castle against overwhelming odds, she performed the highest service of a tenant-in-chief, demonstrating that the obligations of title and land were sealed not merely by charter, but by an unshakeable code of personal honour.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its perfect expression in the actions of Nichola de la Haye. Her command during the siege was a masterclass in fortitude—the mental and emotional strength to withstand adversity. Her refusal to break her oath to the Crown, even when it appeared the royalist cause was lost, was the epitome of honour.
These principles, exemplified by the 5th Baroness over eight centuries ago, remain the philosophical bedrock of the House. They symbolise a commitment to duty that transcends time and circumstance, forming an unbroken chain from the Barony's medieval origins to its modern responsibilities.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The duty to protect the vulnerable—personified by Nichola de la Haye's defence of the realm on behalf of the young King Henry III—remains a cornerstone of the House's modern philosophy. This historical legacy of guardianship informs the contemporary philanthropic work undertaken by the 12th Baroness, Lady Nicoleta, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile.
This commitment is most clearly expressed through the House’s support for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children affected by trauma, a mission that resonates with the historical imperative to shield the powerless. The House’s Annual Winter Banquet serves as the principal fundraising gala for this vital work.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting upon her predecessor’s legacy, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “Nichola de la Haye’s story is a powerful reminder that duty and honour are timeless principles. In an era dominated by men, she commanded a strategic fortress and held the fate of the kingdom in her hands. Her fortitude is an inspiration not just for our House, but for all who believe in resolute service and unwavering integrity.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added that his personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), can be seen as a modern complement to the House’s ancient standard, reflecting the will to overcome challenges, whether on a medieval battlefield or in the sphere of modern philanthropy.
## A Continuing Legacy
The House of Brattleby carries the legacy of Nichola de la Haye forward not as a relic, but as a living principle. This spirit of conscientious service is evident in its commitment to cultural and educational initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy founded by Lady Nicoleta to foster principles of etiquette, diplomacy, and civil conduct in the next generation of leaders.
By commemorating its history, the House reaffirms its dedication to the values of fortitude and honour. These are the standards by which predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont, and John of Gaunt are remembered, and they are the standards to which the House holds itself accountable today and in the future.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to stewarding an ancient English title with a modern, forward-looking purpose. Its mission is centred on cultural diplomacy, education, and strategic philanthropy. The House actively supports charitable causes, most notably its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child, which provides care for vulnerable children. Through initiatives such as the annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House seeks to uphold its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), by blending its profound historical heritage with a tangible commitment to contemporary public service and civil society.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and extensive landholdings, comprising 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Throughout its near-millennial history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the heroic 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle in 1217; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. After centuries in abeyance, the Barony's dignity and rights were formally recognised and recorded in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022, securing its place in the 21st century.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was formally recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com