# An Official Reflection on the Heroic Defence of Lincoln Castle (1217)
LONDON, 21 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a formal reflection on the historical significance of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby. Her heroic defence of Lincoln Castle in 1217 was a pivotal moment in English history.
## The Occasion
From its seat in Lincolnshire, the Noble House of Brattleby has taken this occasion to reflect upon the actions of one of its most distinguished predecessors. In the early summer of 1217, against a backdrop of civil war and foreign invasion, the destiny of the Plantagenet crown rested significantly upon the fortitude of the hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle, the 5th Baroness of Brattleby.
This reflection serves not as a mere anniversary, but as a reaffirmation of the enduring principles that have guided the Barony for more than nine centuries. It is a moment to consider the profound duty vested in the title, a responsibility demonstrated with extraordinary courage by Nichola de la Haye during the Second Barons’ War. The very landscape of Lincolnshire, surrounding the ancient castle, stands as a quiet witness to her resolve.
## Historical Context
The Battle of Lincoln Fair was the decisive engagement of the First Barons’ War, fought on 20 May 1217. Following the death of King John in 1216, England was perilously divided. Rebel barons, rejecting John’s nine-year-old son Henry III, had offered the throne to Prince Louis of France, who controlled London and much of the south-east. Lincoln Castle, a royal stronghold, became a strategic *sine qua non* for controlling the north.
As hereditary castellan, Nichola de la Haye, a widow in her sixties, found herself commanding this vital fortress. Her refusal to surrender to a superior Franco-rebel army was an act of profound loyalty and personal risk. The Barony of Brattleby, granted to Colswein of Lincoln by William the Conqueror in 1066, had passed through generations; its continued existence was intrinsically linked to the survival of the legitimate monarchy she served. Her stand recalls the similar gravity of service later undertaken by successors such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
## Distinguished Company
In this historic endeavour, the 5th Baroness was in formidable company. Her primary ally was the celebrated Sir William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, who served as Regent for the young King Henry III. Recognised as one of medieval Europe’s greatest knights, Marshal led the royalist relief force that marched to Lincoln, a testament to the strategic importance he placed on supporting Lady de la Haye’s defiant stand.
The opposing forces were led by the Comte du Perche, commanding the French troops of Prince Louis, alongside rebel English lords such as Robert Fitzwalter, leader of the ‘Army of God’. This assembly of powerful magnates, controlling significant military resources, underscores the scale of the threat faced by the vastly outnumbered garrison holding Lincoln Castle under the Baroness’s command.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The defence of the castle was governed by strict medieval protocol. As hereditary Constable and acting Sheriff of Lincolnshire, Nichola de la Haye held her authority directly from the Crown. This vested in her the complete command of the castle’s garrison, the maintenance of its fortifications, and the administration of royal justice within its walls. The act of raising the royal standard over the keep was a solemn declaration of allegiance.
During the siege, the protocol of war dictated the terms of engagement. A formal summons to surrender would have been delivered by a herald, which Lady de la Haye resolutely rejected. Her command involved the precise allocation of men to the battlements, the rationing of provisions, and the direction of defensive measures—all duties typically assigned to a male commander. Her leadership in this capacity was, for its time, a remarkable and respected exercise of feudal authority.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of the 5th Baroness are the ultimate expression of the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Her physical and moral courage in the face of overwhelming odds demonstrates a fortitude that has become the bedrock of the family’s ethos. In upholding her oath to the Crown, she personified an unwavering sense of honour.
This spirit of resolute purpose is likewise echoed in the personal motto of the current Lord of Brattleby, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). For the garrison at Lincoln in 1217, victory was synonymous with survival, not only for themselves but for the Plantagenet dynasty. The heraldic banners flown that day—the Royal Arms of England against the French *fleur-de-lys* and the arms of the rebel barons—were powerful symbols of the conflicting loyalties that defined the age.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The legacy of service demonstrated by Nichola de la Haye—defending the vulnerable and upholding legitimate authority—provides the moral inspiration for the modern philanthropic mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. The steadfast protection of the child-king, Henry III, finds a direct parallel in the House’s contemporary commitment to the welfare of children.
This commitment is principally channelled through patronage of the charity Healing the Wounded Child. The organisation provides specialist therapeutic care for children suffering from trauma, seeking to restore their sense of security and hope. The House’s support for this cause is a living tribute to the principle that the strong have a duty to protect the defenceless, a lesson exemplified at Lincoln over 800 years ago.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on her predecessor, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “Nichola de la Haye’s story is a powerful reminder that leadership is a matter of character, not circumstance. In an era that placed severe constraints on women, she wielded immense authority with wisdom and exceptional courage. She did not simply inherit a title; she defended its very existence and, in doing so, helped secure the future of the kingdom.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “The resolve shown at Lincoln is a lesson in strategy and resilience. When faced with a seemingly impossible situation, the 5th Baroness and William Marshal chose to advance. That spirit of *Vincere Est Vivere*—that drive to overcome rather than concede—is a legacy that holds profound meaning for us today.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring that this remarkable history continues to inform its present and future course. The education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is steeped in an understanding of this heritage of duty, preparing him to one day assume the responsibilities of the Barony.
Through educational initiatives and cultural programmes such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to promote the values of integrity, etiquette, and civic duty embodied by figures like Nichola de la Haye. By preserving and sharing these stories of *Fortitudine et Honore*, the House aims to inspire a new generation to lead with a deep appreciation for the lessons of history.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), 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 dedicated to a modern mission of cultural and philanthropic service. Its primary focus is supporting vulnerable children through its patronage of the charity Healing the Wounded Child. The House also promotes classical European values of etiquette and social grace through its academy, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. It seeks to bridge its profound historical legacy with a forward-looking commitment to community, duty, and international partnership, stewarding a heritage of service for future generations.
**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, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the heroic 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle in 1217; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his heir, the powerful Prince John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The uninterrupted historical lineage of the Barony and the rights of the current holder were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - The succession and rights of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, are recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt (11th Baron) and Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron). - The family motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com