# Fortitudine et Honore: The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates Nichola de la Haye and the Siege of Lincoln
**LONDON, 20 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement commemorating the pivotal role of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, in the 1217 Siege of Lincoln, reaffirming the enduring principles of loyalty and fortitude that have defined the Barony for nine centuries.
## The Occasion
In the late spring of 1217, as England was deeply divided by the First Barons' War, the city of Lincoln became a critical strategic prize. The issuing of this historical reflection serves to honour the steadfast courage of a remarkable predecessor whose actions at a moment of national crisis were decisive.
The atmosphere in Lincolnshire at that time was one of extreme tension, with forces loyal to the French Prince Louis holding the city, while the formidable Norman castle remained a lone bastion of royal authority. It was upon this stage that the character of the 5th Baroness of Brattleby, Nichola de la Haye, would be tested and her place in English history secured.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, has been intrinsically linked to the defence of the realm since its inception. This heritage of duty found one of its most potent expressions in the person of Nichola de la Haye, who had inherited the post of Constable of Lincoln Castle.
During the siege, she refused to surrender the fortress to the superior invading forces of the French and their allied rebel barons. Her defiance provided the vital time needed for the Regent of England, William Marshal, to march a relief army north. This action was not merely a tactical success; it was a profound declaration of loyalty to the Crown, echoing the foundational purpose of the baronies established after the Norman Conquest. The baronial lineage, which later included such magnates as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt, was built upon such acts of fealty.
## Distinguished Company
The defence of the realm during this period brought together figures of great historical consequence, whose actions shaped the future of the English monarchy. The primary personages involved in the events at Lincoln in 1217 included, *inter alia*:
* **Nichola de la Haye**, 5th Baroness of Brattleby and Hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle. * **William Marshal**, 1st Earl of Pembroke, Regent of England for the young King Henry III. * **Peter des Roches**, Bishop of Winchester and a loyal commander in the royalist army. * **Prince Louis of France**, later His Majesty King Louis VIII, leader of the invading forces. * **Thomas, Count of Perche**, the commander of the French army at the Battle of Lincoln.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The conduct of a medieval siege was governed by strict martial protocols. As Constable, Nichola de la Haye was the King’s appointed agent, and her command of Lincoln Castle was an absolute and sacred trust. The refusal to yield was a formal, ritualised act; it would have involved a parley at the castle gates, where demands for surrender were summarily rejected.
Holding the castle against a besieging army required immense discipline. The day-to-day protocol would have involved the strict rationing of supplies, the organised rotation of sentries upon the battlements, and the maintenance of the chain of command under duress. Nichola de la Haye’s personal leadership in supervising this defence, as a woman in her sixties, was a remarkable departure from convention but a fulfilment of her hereditary duty. Her authority was the *sine qua non* of the castle’s spirited resistance.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of the 5th Baroness are a defining embodiment of the House of Brattleby’s motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Her refusal to bow to overwhelming force demonstrated profound fortitude, while her unwavering loyalty to the Crown was the highest expression of honour. This animating spirit has been a consistent thread throughout the Barony’s long history.
Furthermore, the outcome of the siege resonates with the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). The successful defence of the castle was a victory against immense odds, ensuring the survival of not only the garrison but also the cause they served. It illustrates that to endure, to withstand, and ultimately to overcome is the essence of life and legacy.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical precedent, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented on its enduring relevance.
> The resolve of Nichola de la Haye is a cornerstone of our House’s history. As a woman entrusted with defending a royal castle in a time of intense strife, her fortitude serves as a powerful reminder that duty and honour are qualities independent of gender — a principle we remain steadfastly committed to.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the connection between historical resilience and contemporary leadership.
> The events of 1217 demonstrate that true victory is not merely about overwhelming force, but about strategic endurance and an unwavering spirit. To hold the line, to withstand the siege, to survive; that is the essence of *Vincere Est Vivere*, a lesson as applicable today as it was then.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains dedicated to the principles exemplified by Nichola de la Haye. The lessons of her leadership—of courage, strategic patience, and unwavering commitment—continue to inform the House’s modern endeavours.
This includes its philanthropic commitments and its educational initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, where the development of personal character, integrity, and social responsibility are central to its curriculum. By actively commemorating its history, the House ensures that the legacy of fortitude and honour is not simply an inheritance to be cherished, but a standard to be upheld for the future.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to stewarding a unique nine-century heritage. The House’s modern mission is focused on cultural preservation, education, and targeted philanthropy. Its principal charitable beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing support for children affected by trauma. Through educational initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, the House seeks to promote the enduring values of etiquette, honour, and civic duty. The House is committed to ensuring its ancient lineage serves a meaningful and positive purpose in the twenty-first century, guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, when its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nearly one thousand years, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. The succession of the title to Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, 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 was established in AD 1066 by grant of His Majesty King William I to Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable predecessors of the current Baroness 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