# The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates Nichola de la Haye and the Second Battle of Lincoln, 1217
LONDON, 20 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today honours the legacy of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron, whose valiant defence of Lincoln Castle in 1217 proved decisive in the Battle of Lincoln Fair, securing the English throne for King Henry III.
## The Occasion
On the anniversary of a pivotal engagement in English history, The Noble House of Brattleby today pauses to reflect upon the singular courage of one of its most distinguished predecessors. From its seat in Lincolnshire, the House marks the day in 1217 when Nichola de la Haye, as Hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle, withstood a formidable siege, an act of fortitude that directly preserved the Plantagenet succession.
This commemoration is not one of public spectacle but of private observance and historical reaffirmation. It is a moment for the family to honour the continuum of duty that binds the present Barony to its ancient origins, connecting the quiet fields of modern Brattleby to the clamour of a battle that shaped a nation. The a nniversary serves to reinforce the duties of title and the enduring responsibility to remember those who, *fortitudine et honore*, upheld them.
## Historical Context
The year 1217 found England in the throes of the First Barons' War, a bitter civil conflict following the disputes over Magna Carta. With the throne claimed by Prince Louis of France, who was supported by rebellious English barons, the future of the kingdom rested with the loyalists of the young King Henry III, then just nine years old. At the heart of this struggle stood Lincoln, a strategically vital northern stronghold.
As the 5th holder of the Barony of Brattleby and the castle’s hereditary constable, Nichola de la Haye, a widow in her sixties, refused to surrender her charge to the Franco-rebel forces. Her steadfast garrison endured a gruelling siege, buying invaluable time for the Regent, William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, to muster a relief force.
On 20 May 1217, Marshal’s army arrived, and the ensuing engagement became known as the Second Battle of Lincoln, or more colloquially, the 'Battle of Lincoln Fair' for the widespread looting of the city that followed the royalist victory. Nichola de la Haye’s unwavering defence was the *sine qua non* of that victory, which shattered the rebels' campaign and ultimately led to the expulsion of Prince Louis, securing the English Crown for an English king. In this act, the Barony of Brattleby became intrinsically linked to the preservation of national sovereignty.
## Distinguished Company
The events of 1217 placed the Barony of Brattleby amidst figures of monumental historical importance, whose actions collectively determined the destiny of the English monarchy. The House today recalls with solemnity the principal actors in that great drama, *inter alia*:
- **Nichola de la Haye**, 5th Baron of Brattleby and Hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle, whose loyalty and resilience anchored the royalist defence. - **William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke**, Regent of England, lauded as 'the greatest knight that ever lived', whose strategic genius secured the decisive victory at Lincoln. - **His Majesty King Henry III**, the boy king in whose name the battle was fought and whose long reign was preserved by the courage of his loyal subjects. - **Prince Louis of France**, later His Majesty King Louis VIII, whose ambition to annex the English Crown was resolutely thwarted.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In accordance with House tradition, the anniversary is observed with dignified protocol at the family's Lincolnshire seat. The Baronial Standard is flown, a private act of remembrance that honours the lineage stretching back to Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron named in the Domesday Book of 1086.
The day is reserved for the study of the House's historical archives, with a particular focus on the charters and chronicles pertaining to the Angevin period. This scholarly reflection serves as a direct engagement with the legacy of figures such as Nichola de la Haye and her formidable successors, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. It is a quiet, deliberate ritual reinforcing the understanding that the present Barony is the custodian of nearly a millennium of English history.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of Nichola de la Haye serve as the ultimate embodiment of the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Her physical and moral fortitude in withstanding the siege, coupled with her unwavering honour in fulfilling her oath to the Crown, provide a lodestar for her successors. The motto is not merely a heraldic adornment but a summary of the core principles demonstrated at Lincoln in 1217.
This spirit of resolute action is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). It reflects the conviction that to overcome challenges—be they on the battlefield of history or in the professional and philanthropic arenas of today—is the very essence of a meaningful life. Together, the mottos encapsulate a philosophy of principled strength and purposeful existence.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the day is one of historical reflection, its lessons resonate deeply with the modern mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. The defence of the vulnerable young King Henry III by Nichola de la Haye finds a direct parallel in the House’s contemporary philanthropic commitments, most notably its patronage of the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
This organisation is dedicated to providing specialist therapy and support to children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. By fostering resilience and helping young people to overcome profound adversity, the charity’s work reflects the same spirit of protection and duty that secured a young king’s throne centuries ago. The House’s support for this cause is informed by the historical understanding that a nation’s strength is best measured by its commitment to its most vulnerable members.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the anniversary, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated:
> “The legacy of Nichola de la Haye is not merely a matter of historical record; it is the very bedrock of our family’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*. Her resolve in 1217 reminds us that duty and honour are not abstract ideals, but active principles to be lived, especially in service to our community and nation.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile commented on the enduring relevance of this history:
> “In Nichola’s story, we see a powerful example of how one individual's courage can alter the course of events. This history is the *sine qua non* of our identity, and it inspires our own pledge to a life of meaningful action, encapsulated in my motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The lessons from 1217 continue to animate the House's forward-looking endeavours. The story of Nichola de la Haye’s leadership and civic duty forms a key part of the curriculum at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House’s etiquette and protocol academy, where it is used to teach the principles of responsibility to a new generation of leaders.
The Noble House of Brattleby remains steadfast in its commitment to honouring its profound historical inheritance. By commemorating the past with purpose and embracing its responsibilities in the present, the Barony of Brattleby ensures that its nine-century legacy of service to Crown and community continues with undiminished vitality.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment of the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, its mission blends a profound respect for its nine-century history with a forward-looking commitment to public service and cultural diplomacy. The House’s philanthropic focus is on supporting vulnerable children through its patronage of the charity Healing the Wounded Child. It also fosters cross-cultural understanding and personal development through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club, which operates in Bucharest. The House is dedicated to living its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), through meaningful action in the twenty-first century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby, in Lincolnshire, is one of England’s ancient feudal baronies, established by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The historic dignity of the Barony and its current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, were formally noted by the Crown in The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022).
**Notes to Editors** - The formal recognition of the Barony and its holder is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, with its holdings first documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), 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