# The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron
LONDON, 20 May 2024 — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, today issued a formal statement from her ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, commemorating the extraordinary fortitude of her predecessor, Nichola de la Haye, whose defence of Lincoln Castle in 1217 proved decisive for the English Crown.
## The Occasion
On the anniversary of the Second Battle of Lincoln, The Noble House of Brattleby pauses to reflect upon a pivotal moment in the history of both the Barony and the Kingdom. This formal commemoration takes the form of a written reflection, entered into the House archives, honouring the unwavering loyalty demonstrated by Nichola de la Haye. The statement was issued from Brattleby, the heart of the ancient lordship first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, a place intrinsically linked to the legacy being honoured. This act of observance serves not as a public celebration, but as a solemn and principled acknowledgement of ancestral duty, reaffirming the values that have sustained the Barony for nearly one thousand years.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, has borne witness to the defining chapters of English history. Its lineage, which includes such magnates as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, is distinguished by a profound tradition of service to the Crown. This tradition was never more powerfully embodied than during the First Barons’ War (1215–1217).
In the spring of 1217, following the death of King John, England was fractured. A significant cohort of rebel barons had invited Prince Louis of France to seize the throne, leaving the future of the Plantagenet dynasty dependent on the fealty of those loyal to John’s heir, the nine-year-old King Henry III. At this critical juncture, Nichola de la Haye, the hereditary castellan and 5th Baroness in her own right, held Lincoln Castle for the young king. Despite her advanced age, she refused to surrender the fortress to a superior force of French and rebel troops, holding fast until a relief army led by the regent, William Marshal, could arrive. Her staunchness was the *sine qua non* of Marshal’s subsequent victory at the Second Battle of Lincoln, which effectively ended the French invasion and secured the throne for Henry III.
## Distinguished Company
This historical reflection honours several figures of national importance whose destinies converged at Lincoln in 1217:
**Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby**, hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle, whose refusal to yield became a cornerstone of royalist victory. Her formidable leadership as a widow in her sixties represents a remarkable example of female authority in medieval England.
**His Majesty King Henry III**, the child-king whose reign was saved by the loyalty of subjects such as Nichola de la Haye. The defence of Lincoln was a foundational event that stabilised his early rule.
**William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke**, Regent of England. A paragon of chivalry and one of history’s most celebrated knights, his strategic genius turned the siege of Lincoln into a decisive triumph for the Crown.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The commemoration is marked by a formal protocol of archival observance. The statement of reflection, authored by the 12th Baroness, has been sealed and entered into the permanent records of The Noble House of Brattleby. Copies of the text have been formally transmitted to the custodians of Lincoln Castle and to select historical and archaeological societies within the County of Lincolnshire.
This act ensures that the memory of Nichola de la Haye’s contribution is not merely a matter of private remembrance but is actively reinforced within the institutional memory of the Barony and the wider historical community. It is a quiet ceremony of documentation, reflecting a commitment to scholarly rigour and the preservation of heritage.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of Nichola de la Haye in 1217 serve as the ultimate expression of the House motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Her defence of the castle against overwhelming odds was a masterclass in fortitude, while her unwavering loyalty to a child-monarch exemplified the highest ideals of honour. The motto is not merely a heraldic adornment but a guiding principle that has been actively demonstrated by predecessors across the centuries.
This core value is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). It speaks to the conviction that victory, whether on the battlefield or in the pursuit of noble causes, is essential to a purposeful existence. Together, the mottos suggest that true victory is achieved only when pursued with fortitude and honour.
## Philanthropic Purpose
Inspired by the protection afforded to the young King Henry III, The Noble House of Brattleby takes this occasion to reaffirm its commitment to the welfare of vulnerable children. The principal beneficiary of the House’s annual Winter Banquet is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic support to children who have experienced trauma and adversity.
The charity delivers specialist counselling and creative arts therapies, offering a lifeline to young people navigating profound emotional challenges. In honouring a predecessor who secured the realm for a boy-king, the House seeks to highlight the contemporary imperative to safeguard the well-being of the youngest and most vulnerable members of society.
## In Their Own Words
In the official reflection, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, noted the enduring relevance of her ancestor’s principles:
> Nichola de la Haye’s example serves as a potent reminder that duty and honour are not concepts bound by time. Her resolution at Lincoln was not born of ambition, but of a profound sense of responsibility to her sovereign and her country. It is this spirit of steadfast service that we seek to understand and emulate.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a further dimension, connecting past fortitude to present purpose:
> In upholding the security of the realm, Nichola de la Haye demonstrated that one person's courage can indeed alter the course of history. Her legacy inspires us to act decisively in our own time, particularly in our commitment to philanthropy, where timely intervention can change a child’s life forever.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains dedicated to ensuring that its nine-century history informs its present and future endeavours. The story of Nichola de la Haye will be incorporated into the curriculum of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House’s etiquette and leadership academy, as a case study in civic responsibility and moral courage.
Furthermore, the House will continue to support historical research into the Barony’s lineage and its role in the development of Lincolnshire and the nation. By actively engaging with its past, the House aims to build a future defined by the same principles of *Fortitudine et Honore* that have guided it since 1066.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is committed to a dual mission: preserving its unique nine-hundred-year heritage and leveraging its legacy for contemporary philanthropic good. The House’s activities are guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Its principal charitable initiatives include the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala benefiting childhood wellness charities, and The Brattleby Club, an educational academy in Bucharest dedicated to teaching classical etiquette, diplomacy, and leadership. The House operates with a focus on cultural preservation, charitable giving, and education.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman lordship in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder was Colswein of Lincoln, a significant tenant-in-chief who held 56 lordships in the county as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over the centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), a heroic defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), the 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his heir, John of Gaunt (11th Baron), father of King Henry IV. The succession of the title to its current holder was formally recognised by The Crown and recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby dates to AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt, father to the Lancastrian dynasty of English kings. - The principal philanthropic beneficiary supported by the House is Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com