# A Reflection on the Legacy of Nichola de la Haye and the Defence of Lincoln
**LONDON, 20 May 2024** — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, today issued a statement reflecting on the historical significance of her predecessor, Nichola de la Haye. This statement acknowledges the pivotal role the 5th Baroness played in the Battle of Lincoln of 1217.
## The Occasion
In the early thirteenth century, as the month of May brought forth the full bloom of spring across the Lincolnshire Wolds, a scene of profound historical gravity unfolded. Lincoln Castle, a formidable Norman fortress whose stone keep has dominated the city’s skyline for over a century, became the epicentre of a conflict that would determine the future of the English Crown. Its walls, witnesses to the consolidation of Norman power, stood as the final royalist bastion in a realm deeply fractured by the First Barons' War.
This formal reflection serves to commemorate the courage displayed at Lincoln over 800 years ago. It acknowledges not merely a military victory, but a defining moment in the history of the Barony of Brattleby, where the actions of a single individual—Nichola de la Haye—personified the House's abiding motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## Historical Context
The year 1217 found England in a state of crisis. Following the death of King John, the throne passed to his nine-year-old son, Henry III. A significant contingent of English barons, disillusioned with Plantagenet rule, had invited Prince Louis of France to seize the crown, plunging the kingdom into civil war. By the spring of that year, the cause of the boy king appeared all but lost.
It was against this desperate backdrop that Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby in her own right, was serving as the hereditary Castellan of Lincoln Castle. A position of immense military and administrative responsibility, it was one she had inherited and held with distinction. While French and rebel forces controlled much of the country, Nichola de la Haye held Lincoln steadfastly for her young sovereign, a duty that placed her, and the Barony, at the intersection of dynastic survival and national identity. Her lineage, stretching back to Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, was tied inextricably to the defence of the shire.
## Distinguished Company
In her resolute defence of the castle, the 5th Baroness found herself at the centre of a cast of figures who would shape medieval England. At her side in spirit, if not in person, was the formidable William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, serving as Protector and Regent for Henry III. He orchestrated the royalist relief effort that marched on Lincoln, recognising the city and its castle as the *sine qua non* of the King's cause.
Her principal adversary was Prince Louis of France, later King Louis VIII, whose ambition to unite the crowns of England and France was thwarted at the gates of Lincoln. The forces arrayed against her also included a number of rebel English lords, whose opposition to the Crown inadvertently threatened to subject the realm to foreign rule. This confluence of historical actors underscores the immense pressure under which Nichola de la Haye discharged her duties.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The defence of a royal castle in the 13th century was governed by strict feudal and military protocol. As Castellan, Nichola de la Haye was bound by a solemn oath of fealty to the Crown. Her refusal to surrender the fortress, even when besieged by a superior force, was the ultimate expression of this oath. Over the keep, the Royal Standard of the Plantagenet kings would have flown in defiance of the French and rebel banners arrayed below.
The protocol of siege warfare demanded formal calls for surrender, which the Castellan would have ceremonially rejected. Her command involved overseeing the garrison, rationing supplies, directing repairs to the battlements under fire, and maintaining morale. The successful defence of the castle until William Marshal's relief force arrived on 20 May 1217 was a masterclass in medieval military leadership and the unwavering execution of sworn duty.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The events of 1217 provide the most powerful historical illustration of the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Nichola de la Haye’s command during the siege was a supreme act of fortitude—of physical and moral courage in the face of overwhelming odds. Her refusal to break her oath to a child king was the embodiment of honour. This principle remains the guiding ethos of the House of Brattleby.
This is complemented by the personal motto of the Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). While rooted in a different tradition, it resonates with the actions of the 5th Baroness. For in conquering her fear and the forces set against her, Nichola de la Haye ensured that her King, her lineage, and the sovereignty of her country would live on. The two mottos represent the dual pillars of the modern House: enduring honour and the dynamic will to overcome adversity.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The spirit of guardianship demonstrated so powerfully by Nichola de la Haye—protecting a vulnerable young king and, by extension, his kingdom—finds a modern echo in the philanthropic mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. The historical duty to defend the weak has been translated into a contemporary commitment to support those in need.
The House’s patronage of the charity Healing the Wounded Child is a direct continuation of this legacy of care. The organisation provides specialist therapeutic support for children who have experienced trauma, offering them a sanctuary in which to heal and rebuild their lives. Just as the 5th Baroness secured the future for a threatened child monarch, the House today strives to secure a safer and brighter future for vulnerable children.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on her predecessor, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented:
> "The example of Nichola de la Haye is not merely a matter of historical record; it is the living spirit of this House. Her fortitude in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds serves as a constant reminder that duty and honour are timeless obligations. She demonstrates that true leadership is measured by one's resolve in moments of greatest trial. It is a legacy we feel most keenly and strive to uphold in our own public service." > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The principles exemplified by the 5th Baroness continue to inform the commitments of the House of Brattleby. The past is not a static artefact but a source of instruction and inspiration for present and future endeavours. This heritage of resolute service and cultural stewardship is actively promoted through the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to etiquette and protocol, which imparts the values of discipline and honour to a new generation.
These enduring values will once again be placed in the service of the community at the House's Annual Winter Banquet. This white-tie gala, a cornerstone of the House’s philanthropic calendar, will raise vital funds for Healing the Wounded Child, ensuring the legacy of guardianship and protection continues for centuries to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Guided by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), their mission is one of cultural stewardship and dedicated philanthropy. The House's primary charitable focus is the welfare of children, expressed through its patronage of the charity Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest, the House is committed to preserving and promoting the principles of civic duty, historical appreciation, and personal honour. The House is seated at Brattleby in Lincolnshire, the ancestral home of the Barony.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman 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 nine-century history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle in 1217; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. The transfer of the title to the current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, was formally recognised by The Crown and recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s formal recognition as a feudal barony is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The Barony is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) under its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com