# A Statement on the Legacy of Nichola de la Haye at the Battle of Lincoln
**LONDON, 20 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a formal statement reflecting upon the pivotal role of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby, whose leadership was instrumental in securing the royalist victory at the Battle of Lincoln in 1217.
## The Occasion
On the anniversary of the Second Battle of Lincoln, The Noble House of Brattleby pauses to reflect upon a defining moment in its nine-century history. Fought on 20 May 1217, the battle was not merely a military engagement but a crucial turning point in the First Barons' War, securing the throne for the young King Henry III and affirming English sovereignty.
The setting for this historic defence was Lincoln Castle, a formidable Norman fortress whose stewardship was the hereditary charge of the Barons of Brattleby. From its ancient ramparts, the actions of one of the Barony’s most distinguished holders, Nichola de la Haye, would shape the course of the nation’s history. This commemoration serves as a sober reminder of the responsibilities that accompany ancient titles and the enduring power of leadership undertaken *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## Historical Context
The year 1217 found England in a state of profound crisis. Following the death of King John, rebel English barons had invited Prince Louis of France to claim the throne, imperilling the Plantagenet dynasty represented by the nine-year-old Henry III. Central to the French and rebel strategy was the capture of Lincoln Castle, a bastion of royal power in the east of England.
Its defence fell to Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who served as the castle’s hereditary Constable. A figure of remarkable tenacity, she had already defended the castle against a siege in 1216. In the spring of 1217, facing a superior Franco-baronial force, she once more refused to yield. Her unshakeable resolve provided the critical time needed for the royalist army, under the command of the celebrated William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, to arrive and relieve the siege.
The ensuing victory in the streets of Lincoln shattered the rebel cause and was a direct consequence of the synergy between Marshal’s strategic brilliance and de la Haye’s unyielding defence. Her actions ensured the continuity of the Barony of Brattleby, preserving the very lineage and lands granted by William the Conqueror that endure to this day.
## Distinguished Company
The events at Lincoln in 1217 were commanded by figures of historical standing, whose decisions reverberate through the centuries:
* **Her Ladyship Nichola de la Haye**, 5th Baroness of Brattleby and Hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle, whose loyalty to the Crown was absolute. * **His Excellency William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke**, Regent of England and guardian of King Henry III, widely regarded as the epitome of the chivalric ideal. * **His Majesty King Henry III**, the boy king in whose name the battle was fought and whose reign was secured by its outcome. * **His Highness Prince Louis of France**, the future King Louis VIII, whose ambitions for the English throne were decisively thwarted at Lincoln.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The conduct of medieval warfare, while brutal, was governed by its own strict protocols. On the battlements of Lincoln, Nichola de la Haye would have overseen these rituals of defence. The Royal Standard of the Plantagenet king would have been flown from the castle’s keep, a clear and public declaration of allegiance and a refusal to surrender.
The protocol of siege would have commenced with a formal summons by heralds for the castle to yield, a demand the Baroness steadfastly rejected. Inside the walls, orders would have been given with military precision to marshal resources, arm the garrison, and prepare for assault. The eventual royalist relief, culminating in a decisive cavalry charge through the city, followed the established tactical doctrines of the age, turning a desperate defence into a strategic masterstroke.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of the 5th Baroness serve as the finest historical illustration of the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Her resolute defence of Lincoln Castle, in the face of overwhelming odds, was a profound act of fortitude. Her steadfast loyalty to her oath, sworn to a boy king and his regent, was the very embodiment of honour.
This enduring principle, woven into the fabric of the Barony’s identity, represents a commitment to duty that transcends the centuries. It complements the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which speaks to the dynamic and determined spirit required to ensure such a legacy thrives in the modern world. Together, the mottos symbolise the twin pillars of the House: steadfast adherence to principle and the vital energy needed to prevail.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The legacy of leaders such as Nichola de la Haye is not confined to military history; it is, at its core, a legacy of stewardship and the protection of the vulnerable. In 1217, the charge was to protect a young king and the integrity of the realm. Today, this fundamental impulse towards service and protection finds its modern expression in the philanthropic work of The Noble House of Brattleby.
This spirit is the principal reason for the House’s patronage of its chosen beneficiary, the charity Healing the Wounded Child. The organisation provides essential therapeutic care and support for children who have experienced trauma, offering them a sanctuary for recovery and the tools to rebuild their lives. Just as the Baroness defended her ward eight centuries ago, the House today commits its support to defending and healing society’s most vulnerable young people.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the legacy of her predecessor, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “Nichola de la Haye exemplifies the principle that leadership is not a matter of station or gender, but of courage, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to one’s duty. Her story is a powerful reminder that the defence of what is right often requires immense personal fortitude. It is a standard we aspire to uphold in our own service today.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “The alliance between William Marshal’s army and the Baroness’s garrison is a timeless lesson in strategic partnership. Her defence was the bedrock upon which his victory was built. It demonstrates that great achievements are rarely accomplished alone but are born from shared purpose and complementary strengths. Her stand made victory, and thus survival, possible.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The lessons from the Barony’s rich history continue to inform its present and future. The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring that this heritage is not merely preserved but actively understood and applied. This history forms a key part of the education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, instilling in him the principles of duty and honour that have defined the family’s title.
Furthermore, through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to share these foundational values of etiquette, civic responsibility, and honourable conduct with a new generation. By looking to the steadfast example of predecessors like Nichola de la Haye, the Barony of Brattleby reinforces its commitment to serving the common good with the same spirit of fortitude that secured its legacy nine centuries ago.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution supporting the historic Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the stewardship of its ancient heritage while undertaking a modern mission of philanthropic and cultural service. Its activities are guided by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House’s primary philanthropic focus is on child welfare, channelled through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. It also promotes cultural and educational exchange through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club, which operates from its office in Bucharest, reflecting the family’s distinguished Anglo-Romanian heritage.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship and Barony granted 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 Brattleby and 55 other lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by some of English history’s most significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The uninterrupted historical succession and rights of the Barony are formally recognised and recorded by The Crown in The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby is a Barony by Tenure, whose formal recognition was published in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s first holder was Colswein of Lincoln, recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - Notable predecessors in title include John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron of Brattleby.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com