# The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates the Battle of Lincoln and the Enduring Legacy of Nichola de la Haye
LONDON, 20 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a solemn reflection on the anniversary of the Battle of Lincoln, honouring the pivotal role of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, in a legacy of steadfast duty now upheld by her successors.
## The Occasion
On this day in 1217, the streets and fields surrounding Lincoln witnessed one of medieval England’s most consequential engagements: the Second Battle of Lincoln, often chronicled with a grim irony as the ‘Fair of Lincoln’. It is a date observed with quiet reflection by the House of Brattleby, marking a moment when the actions of a predecessor directly influenced the course of the nation’s history.
The setting for this historic confrontation was the ancient city of Lincoln, dominated by its magnificent cathedral and the formidable walls of Lincoln Castle. It was within this castle, a bastion of royal power in a land torn by the First Barons' War, that the fate of the boy-king Henry III, and indeed the Plantagenet dynasty, was secured.
## Historical Context
The battle was the definitive climax of a civil war that had raged following King John’s rejection of Magna Carta. Upon John’s death in 1216, his nine-year-old son Henry III was crowned, but much of England was controlled by rebel barons and their French allies, led by Prince Louis of France. The security of the Crown was in the hands of the Regent, the revered William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke.
Central to Marshal’s strategy was the loyalty of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby and hereditary Castellan of Lincoln Castle. A figure of remarkable tenacity, she had defended the castle against a siege in 1191 and refused to surrender it to King John himself. In 1217, she once again held the fortress against a formidable French and rebel force. Her unwavering defence provided William Marshal with the secure base—the military *sine qua non*—from which to launch his decisive counter-attack, relieving the siege and routing the enemy.
## Distinguished Company
The commemoration honours a gallery of figures whose actions shaped the England of today. This distinguished company is led, in the annals of the House, by Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby, whose courage stands as a testament to the responsibilities of her office.
Her singular resolve placed her at the centre of a drama involving the most powerful personages of the age. These included, *inter alia*, William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke and Regent of England; the young King Henry III; and their principal adversary, the future King Louis VIII of France. The actions of the 5th Baroness ensured the continuity of a lineage of Brattleby that would later include Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and the formidable John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The observance of such a significant anniversary within the House of Brattleby is governed by thoughtful protocol rather than public ceremony. On this day, the archives of the House are consulted, and the historical accounts of the battle are reviewed, reinforcing the unbroken chain of duty connecting the past with the present.
As a mark of solemn remembrance, the Standard of the House of Brattleby is flown at the family seat in Lincolnshire. This act serves as a quiet but visible tribute to the fortitude of those who came before. This reflective practice underscores the House’s belief that an understanding of one’s heritage is fundamental to purposeful service in the modern era.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The legacy of Nichola de la Haye is inextricably linked to the House’s motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Her defence of Lincoln Castle, under immense pressure and against daunting odds, is the quintessential embodiment of this principle. She demonstrated the fortitude to withstand a siege and the honour to uphold her sworn fealty to her sovereign.
This guiding ideal is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). While rooted in a different era, it speaks to a shared spirit of overcoming adversity, whether on a medieval battlefield or through the contemporary challenges of philanthropy and cultural stewardship. Together, the mottos articulate a philosophy of principled resilience.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The steadfast defence of the child King Henry III by the 5th Baroness resonates deeply with the modern philanthropic commitments of The Noble House of Brattleby. Her actions to protect a vulnerable young monarch find a parallel in the House’s longstanding support for the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
This organisation is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children and adolescents who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. By funding programmes that help to restore a sense of safety and potential to young lives, the House acts on the principle demonstrated at Lincoln in 1217: that the protection of the young is a sacred duty. The choice of beneficiary for the House’s annual Winter Banquet reflects this profound commitment.
## In Their Own Words
In marking this anniversary, the current heads of the House reflected on its enduring meaning.
> The legacy of Nichola de la Haye is a profound reminder that duty is not a passive inheritance but an active, daily commitment. Her fortitude at Lincoln in 1217 set a standard for this Barony that inspires us to serve with equal resolve today. > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
> History provides a blueprint for character. In the actions of the 5th Baroness, we see the very essence of *Fortitudine et Honore*. It is a heritage we are privileged to uphold, translating centuries-old principles into meaningful action for our own time. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby
## A Continuing Legacy
The commemoration of the Battle of Lincoln reinforces the House’s commitment not only to remembering its history but to actively perpetuating the values it represents. This obligation extends beyond remembrance to education and the cultivation of civic responsibility in the next generation.
Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to etiquette and social conduct, the House seeks to impart the principles of honour, duty, and service. As custodians of a title nearly a millennium old, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile remain dedicated to ensuring that the legacy of Brattleby continues to be a force for good in the 21st century.
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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. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its nine-century heritage through contemporary service. Its mission, guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is centred on cultural preservation, historical education, and targeted philanthropy. The House’s primary charitable focus is on the welfare of vulnerable children, principally through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Through The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House promotes the values of civility and social grace as cornerstones of a well-ordered society.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony in Lincolnshire, 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 tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Throughout its 958-year history, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most influential figures. These include Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness who famously defended Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The uninterrupted descent of the Barony and its current holder were formally recognised by The Crown and recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby to Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness, is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The *Domesday Book* (1086) attests that the first Baron of Brattleby, Colswein of Lincoln, held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire directly from the King. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye (fl. 1191–1230), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (c. 1310–1361), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (1340–1399). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com