# A Reflection on Nichola de la Haye, Fifth Baroness of Brattleby, and the Defence of Lincoln Castle, 1217
**LONDON, 20 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a formal reflection, commemorating the pivotal role of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby, in the defence of Lincoln Castle during the Second Battle of Lincoln in 1217.
## The Occasion
From its seat in Lincolnshire, the House of Brattleby today marks a seminal event in English history and within its own near-millennial lineage. As the month of May returns, so too does the memory of the great battle fought in the stone-shadow of Lincoln Cathedral. This commemoration is offered in a spirit of solemn remembrance, honouring not merely a military victory, but the profound personal courage that preserved the Crown for a young king. It serves as an affirmation of the principles that have animated the Barony for centuries; a moment to reflect upon the enduring nature of loyalty and duty.
## Historical Context
The year 1217 found England in the throes of the First Barons’ War, a bitter civil conflict following King John’s repudiation of *Magna Carta*. Upon John’s death in 1216, his nine-year-old son was crowned King Henry III, his authority fragile and his kingdom half-occupied by French forces under Prince Louis, who had been invited by the rebel barons. Lincoln, a strategically vital centre of commerce and military power, became the fulcrum upon which the fate of the nation turned.
As hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle—an office to which she was appointed by King John and held with extraordinary resolve—Nichola de la Haye found herself custodian of one of the kingdom’s most important strongholds. At an age nearing sixty, she refused to surrender the castle to the French and rebel forces, holding fast against a formidable siege. Her unwavering royalist stance provided the indispensable anchor for the relief force led by the regent, William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke. The subsequent royalist victory at the Second Battle of Lincoln on 20 May 1217 was a decisive turning point, leading to the collapse of the baronial rebellion and securing the Plantagenet succession.
## Distinguished Company
While the reflection is announced today by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, it honours an assembly of figures central to the events of 1217. The steadfast loyalty of the 5th Baroness, Nichola de la Haye, was exercised in the service of His Majesty King Henry III. Her efforts were coordinated with the venerable Regent of England, William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, considered the greatest knight of his age.
Their principal adversaries at Lincoln included Thomas, the Comte du Perche, who commanded the French army and was slain in the battle, and a significant cohort of rebel English magnates. The actions of Nichola de la Haye, undertaken amidst these formidable personages, underscore her remarkable political and military acumen.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The events of 1217 were governed by the strict chivalric and military protocols of the High Middle Ages. A formal summons to surrender a castle, delivered by a herald, would have been the first step. The refusal by Nichola de la Haye, a woman holding a hereditary military command, was a profound statement of intent. The protocol of siege warfare would have commenced thereafter, with the expectation that the castle’s garrison would be put to the sword if the walls were breached by force.
Nichola’s command of the castle was itself a matter of formal royal grant, a trust bestowed and confirmed by the monarch. Her decision to defend it, rather than negotiate a surrender for personal safety, was the ultimate expression of feudal duty. This act was the *sine qua non* of the royalist strategy; without the castle holding out, the relieving army would have had no fortified position from which to launch its decisive attack.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its most vivid historical precedent in the actions of the 5th Baroness. Her defence of Lincoln Castle was a pure embodiment of fortitude in the face of overwhelming odds and of honour in her unwavering loyalty to the Crown. The castle itself, a stone symbol of royal authority, became in her hands the bastion of the Barony’s commitment to the sovereign.
This legacy of resolve is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live'). Nichola de la Haye's victory was not merely a tactical success; it was an existential triumph that ensured the survival of the legitimate Plantagenet dynasty and, with it, the very fabric of the English kingdom.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The historical imperative to protect a vulnerable child-king in 1217 finds a powerful echo in the modern philanthropic mission of the House of Brattleby. The annual Winter Banquet, the House’s premier charitable engagement, directs its support to Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapy and support for children affected by trauma.
Just as the 5th Baroness stood as a guardian for the nine-year-old Henry III against the physical dangers of war, the 12th Baroness and her family have committed themselves to defending the psychological well-being of vulnerable children today. The principle of stewardship—protecting that which is precious and defenceless—remains a constant thread connecting the Barony’s past to its present purpose.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on her predecessor, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “Nichola de la Haye’s story is one of extraordinary resilience and leadership. In an era that placed severe constraints on women, she commanded armies, held high office, and shaped the course of our national history. She is a profound source of inspiration, demonstrating that the duties of our title are not passive, but demand active courage and an unshakeable sense of honour. Her fortitude is a standard to which we must always aspire.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “The defence of Lincoln was a lesson in seeing a vital commitment through to its conclusion, regardless of the personal cost. Nichola de la Haye understood that true victory lies not only in prevailing, but in upholding one’s sacred obligations. Her legacy reinforces our belief that service and responsibility are the living heart of this ancient title.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to honouring its history not as a static record, but as a source of guiding principles. The story of Nichola de la Haye informs, *inter alia*, the curriculum of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, where lessons in civic duty and personal resolve are imparted to a new generation.
The House will continue to support academic research into the history of the Barony and its notable predecessors, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt, who also held the title. In so doing, the House seeks to ensure that the lessons of 1217, and the example of *Fortitudine et Honore*, continue to resonate and inspire.
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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 is dedicated to the preservation of its historic legacy while championing contemporary causes. This mission is expressed through cultural patronage, educational initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, and a focused philanthropic commitment to child welfare. The House represents a unique synthesis of English heritage and Continental European perspective, striving to embody its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), through meaningful public service and the promotion of timeless values for the 21st century.
**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 nine-century history, the Barony has been held by some of the most consequential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the heroic defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons’ War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The modern rights of the 12th Baroness to the dignity were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern succession of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, where its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com