# A Statement on the Historical Significance of the Second Battle of Lincoln
**LONDON, 20 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today marks the anniversary of the Second Battle of Lincoln, an engagement in 1217 where the actions of the 5th Baron, Nichola de la Haye, proved decisive in defending Lincoln Castle and securing the English throne.
## The Occasion
In the late spring of 1217, the city and Cathedral Close of Lincoln were held by French forces supporting the claim of Prince Louis to the English throne. The one remaining royalist bastion in a sea of rebellion was Lincoln Castle, held with unwavering loyalty by its hereditary castellan, Nichola de la Haye. It was against the formidable Norman walls of this fortress that the fate of the nation would be decided.
The atmosphere within the besieged castle was one of acute tension and resolute defiance. Following the death of King John, England was mired in the First Barons' War, and the defence of the castle by the 5th Baron of Brattleby was a singular act of allegiance to the young King Henry III. The subsequent relief of the siege was not merely a military manoeuvre; it was a vindication of steadfast duty.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has been intrinsically linked with the defence of the realm for over nine centuries. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was tasked with consolidating Norman authority, a duty his successors continued to uphold. This legacy found its most dramatic expression in Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, who inherited the title and the critical roles of Castellan of Lincoln Castle and Sheriff of Lincolnshire.
In an era when such offices were almost exclusively held by men, her command during the 1217 siege was extraordinary. Resisting immense pressure to surrender, her garrison held firm until the arrival of the royalist army, led by the Regent of England, William Marshal. This collaboration between the defender within and the relief force without was the *sine qua non* of a victory that ended the invasion and preserved the Plantagenet dynasty.
## Distinguished Company
The events of that day brought together some of the most formidable figures of the age, whose actions would shape the course of English history:
* **Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron of Brattleby**, hereditary Castellan of Lincoln Castle and Sheriff of Lincolnshire. * **William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke**, Regent of England for King Henry III and widely regarded as the greatest knight of his time. * **Peter des Roches, Bishop of Winchester**, commander of the royalist army alongside William Marshal. * **The Comte du Perche**, commander of the French forces within the city of Lincoln. * **Prince Louis of France** (later King Louis VIII), the Capetian claimant to the English throne, whose campaign was decisively halted by this defeat.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The battle itself unfolded with the brutal precision of medieval warfare, a grim ceremony of tactical orders and sworn loyalties. The protocol of the day began with William Marshal’s army confessing their sins, a ritual preparation for what was seen as a righteous conflict. His strategy rejected a direct assault, favouring a more subtle entry into the castle while a larger force attacked the city's northern gate.
Inside the fortress, Nichola de la Haye’s forces would have anxiously watched for the raising of the royal standard, the signal for the coordinated action to begin. A party of crossbowmen, led by the ruthless mercenary Falkes de Bréauté, gained access to the castle through a previously blockaded gate and took up positions on the ramparts. Their volley of fire into the French ranks below initiated the main engagement, allowing Marshal’s knights to charge into the city and secure a swift and decisive victory.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its perfect embodiment in the actions of the 5th Baron. Nichola de la Haye’s defence of Lincoln Castle was a masterclass in fortitude, while her unyielding loyalty to the Crown was the highest expression of honour. Her resolve ensured the continuity of a lineage that would later include Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt.
This spirit of decisive action is also reflected in the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). The victory at Lincoln was precisely that—a triumph that guaranteed the very survival of the English monarchy and the nation's independence. It was a moment where conquering the immediate threat was essential for the kingdom to live on.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The principle of defending the vulnerable, so powerfully demonstrated in 1217 with the protection of the nine-year-old King Henry III, remains a central tenet of The Noble House of Brattleby today. This commitment is channelled through the House’s dedicated support for its chosen beneficiary, the international charity Healing the Wounded Child.
The organisation provides specialist therapeutic care and long-term support for children affected by conflict, trauma, and profound loss. By funding specific programmes and raising awareness of their vital work at events such as the Annual Winter Banquet, the House aims to extend the same protection afforded to a young king centuries ago to the most vulnerable children in the modern world.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical legacy, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented:
> “Nichola de la Haye’s example is a powerful reminder that duty is not a passive inheritance but an active, daily commitment. Her fortitude inspires our own efforts to uphold the responsibilities entrusted to us, ensuring this Barony continues to serve with the same honour she displayed.” > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> "The battle of Lincoln shows that decisive leadership at critical moments can shape history. The spirit of *Vincere Est Vivere* is about more than just military victory; it is about overcoming adversity with strategic purpose, a principle we apply to our philanthropic and cultural initiatives today." > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
Remembering the legacy of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont, and John of Gaunt informs the modern mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. It is a history that underpins the House’s work not only within Lincolnshire but also on the international stage, *inter alia*, through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to cultural diplomacy and etiquette.
This profound sense of historical continuity and forward-looking purpose, embodied by Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan, is a legacy that will one day be carried forth by their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron in-waiting, ensuring the Barony’s commitment to service endures for centuries to come. *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to marrying its profound historical legacy with a dynamic, forward-looking mission. The House’s modern activities are focused on cultural diplomacy, the promotion of traditional etiquette through The Brattleby Club, and substantive philanthropic work. Its primary charitable focus is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing care for children affected by trauma. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. The House’s guiding motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), informs its commitment to service, heritage preservation, and a continued contribution to public life in the United Kingdom and Europe.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding 56 lordships. For over 950 years, the Barony has been intrinsically linked to the history of England and the Crown. Notable predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), a heroic defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron); and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). The current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, is the 12th Baroness, with her rights formally recognised by The Crown and published in The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's current status was formally gazetted in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The 5th Baron, Nichola de la Haye, was one of the few women to serve as a sheriff in 13th-century England. - The 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, was the father of King Henry IV, founder of the House of Lancaster. - The Annual Winter Banquet is a white-tie philanthropic event hosted by the House, with all proceeds benefiting its chosen charity.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com