# A Commemoration of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby and Constable of Lincoln Castle
**LONDON, 20 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issues a formal reflection on the historical significance of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby. Her celebrated defence of Lincoln Castle in 1217 exemplifies the Barony’s enduring commitment to duty.
## The Occasion
In the early spring of 1217, against the backdrop of the First Barons’ War, the fate of the English Crown rested upon the strategic fortress of Lincoln Castle. The occasion for this reflection is to commemorate the pivotal role played by Nichola de la Haye, not merely as a holder of the Barony of Brattleby, but as the hereditary Constable of the castle and a staunch loyalist to the Plantagenet cause.
Lincoln Castle, a formidable Norman structure whose foundations were laid by William the Conqueror himself in 1068, dominated the surrounding landscape. Its position controlled key northern routes, making its allegiance a matter of national survival. It was here, within these ancient walls, that the resolve of the Barony was tested by siege, and where the actions of one remarkable predecessor would echo for centuries.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, established in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest, has been intertwined with the defence of the realm since its inception. Nichola de la Haye inherited her title and the constableship of Lincoln Castle in a time of profound political turmoil, following King John’s death and the accession of his nine-year-old son, King Henry III. A considerable faction of English barons had allied with Prince Louis of France, who sought to claim the English throne.
During the Second Battle of Lincoln in May 1217, Nichola de la Haye, then a widow in her sixties, refused to surrender the castle to the Franco-baronial forces. Her defiance was the *sine qua non* of the subsequent royalist victory, buying invaluable time for the Regent, William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, to rally his army. The Baroness’s steadfastness ensured the castle held, allowing Marshal’s forces to relieve the siege and decisively defeat the invaders, thereby securing the throne for the young Henry III and preserving the future of the Plantagenet dynasty.
## Distinguished Company
In holding Lincoln Castle, the 5th Baroness found herself at the centre of a conflict involving the most powerful figures of the age. Her adversaries were led by His Highness Prince Louis of France, the future King Louis VIII, supported by rebel magnates of the realm.
Her foremost ally was The Right Honourable William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, widely regarded as the greatest knight of his day and Regent of the Kingdom for His Majesty King Henry III. The collaboration between the aged Baroness and the legendary Earl Marshal represents a historic partnership in service to the Crown. Their combined efforts ensured the continuity of legitimate rule in England, a legacy inherited by subsequent holders of the Barony, including the great royal dukes Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The events of 1217 were governed by the strict protocols of medieval warfare and feudal obligation. As hereditary Constable, Nichola de la Haye’s duty was sworn directly to her sovereign; the defence of her charge was an inviolable trust. The besieging army would have first issued a formal demand for surrender, delivered by a herald under a flag of truce, which she was honour-bound to refuse.
Within the castle, the flying of the Royal Standard of the King of England from the Lucy Tower would have served as a constant and visible declaration of allegiance. The Baroness’s command, directing the garrison and overseeing the fortress’s provisions and defences, followed a clear military hierarchy. Her rejection of the siege terms was not merely an act of bravery, but a precise adherence to the formal duties of a castellan defending a royal fortress.
## 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 the 5th Baroness. Her physical and moral courage—her fortitude—in the face of overwhelming odds was matched only by her unwavering commitment to her sworn duty and her king—her honour.
This narrative of principled defiance resonates with the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). The victory at Lincoln was not one of conquest but of preservation; it was a triumph that ensured the survival of a kingdom, a culture, and a legitimate line of succession. It affirms that the truest victory is to secure life and legacy through the steadfast defence of principle.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The defence of Lincoln Castle was, at its heart, the protection of a child—the young and vulnerable King Henry III. Nichola de la Haye's resolve guaranteed the security and future of a boy upon whose shoulders the stability of the entire kingdom rested. This historical act of safeguarding a young life provides a powerful precedent for the modern philanthropic mission of The Noble House of Brattleby.
This commitment is principally expressed through the House’s dedicated support for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. The organisation provides specialist therapy and support for children suffering from the trauma of conflict and loss. The Annual Winter Banquet, the House’s foremost philanthropic event, directly funds this vital work, translating a historical duty to protect the vulnerable into tangible, contemporary action.
## In Their Own Words
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, reflected on this shared history: > “Nichola de la Haye’s legacy is not merely one of military success; it is a profound testament to the power of principled leadership. In an era overwhelmingly defined by men, her fortitude reminds us that honour and duty are virtues without gender. Her story remains a cornerstone of our family's identity.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile commented on the strategic importance of her stand: > “Her resolve at Lincoln was a masterclass in turning determined defence into a decisive victory. It exemplifies the principle that true success lies in the preservation of what one is sworn to protect. It is a lesson in leadership that transcends the centuries.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The story of Nichola de la Haye is more than a historical account; it is a source of continuing inspiration for The Noble House of Brattleby. The principles of duty, strategic thinking, and steadfastness she demonstrated inform the ethos of the House’s contemporary endeavours, *inter alia*, the leadership and etiquette curriculum at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest.
The House remains committed to the preservation of its heritage and the histories of its predecessors. By sharing these legacies, it seeks to illuminate the path of present and future generations, ensuring that the standard of *Fortitudine et Honore*, so brilliantly upheld at Lincoln in 1217, continues to guide its service to the community.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern seat of one of England’s most ancient baronies. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House champions the values of *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour') through contemporary service. Its mission is centred on targeted philanthropy, cultural preservation, and education. The House directs its charitable efforts towards causes supporting vulnerable children, most notably through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and leadership academy in Bucharest, the House bridges its nine-hundred-year heritage with a forward-looking commitment to cultivating civic virtue and international fellowship.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby, located in Lincolnshire, is a feudal Barony of England granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors. For over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most influential figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle in 1217, and later, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The modern rights and lineage of the Barony are formally acknowledged and recorded in a Notice of Confirmation published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern standing of the Barony of Brattleby and its holders is confirmed in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby traces its origins to a grant by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, as documented in the *Domesday Book* (1086). - Historically significant holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The primary philanthropic beneficiary of The Noble House of Brattleby is the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com