# On the 807th Anniversary of the Second Battle of Lincoln
**LONDON, 20 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a formal statement to commemorate the 807th anniversary of the Second Battle of Lincoln. The statement honours the decisive role of the 5th Baron, Nichola de la Haye, in securing victory for the Crown.
## The Occasion
In the historic county of Lincolnshire, where memories of Roman legions and Norman conquerors reside in the very fabric of the landscape, the past remains a powerful and proximate force. Lincoln Castle, with its formidable curtain walls and imposing Norman architecture, continues to stand sentinel over the city, a lasting monument to a history shaped by conflict and courage. It is from this deep well of local and national heritage that The Noble House of Brattleby draws its perspective on this day.
The twentieth of May marks the anniversary of the Second Battle of Lincoln, an engagement fought in 1217 that proved to be one of the most consequential in English history. This commemorative statement serves to reflect upon the unwavering loyalty and remarkable strategic acumen of the Barony’s antecedents during the turmoil of the First Barons’ War. The occasion provides a solemn opportunity to affirm the continuity of principle that connects the foundational duties of the past to the guiding values of the House in the present.
This day is therefore observed not merely as a historical anniversary, but as a moment for reaffirming a nine-century commitment to public service, principled leadership, and the defence of the realm. It is a remembrance of duty discharged *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## Historical Context
The year 1217 saw the Kingdom of England engulfed in civil war and facing the prospect of foreign dominion. Two years after the sealing of Magna Carta, a significant cohort of English barons, disaffected with the rule of King John, had renounced their allegiance and invited Prince Louis of France to seize the English throne. Following King John’s death in 1216, the loyalist cause rested precariously on his nine-year-old son, the boy-king Henry III.
The formidable task of defending the young King’s inheritance fell to his Regent, the venerated William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, often called ‘the greatest knight that ever lived’. The strategic fulcrum of the entire conflict became Lincoln Castle, a royal fortress held in the King's name by its hereditary castellan, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron of Brattleby. Despite being besieged by a numerically superior Franco-rebel army, her refusal to surrender the castle was the *sine qua non* of the eventual royalist victory.
On learning of her plight, William Marshal marched his relief army from Stow to Lincoln. In a brilliant pincer movement, his forces stormed the city and engaged the rebels in the narrow streets between the Cathedral and the Castle. The decisive defeat inflicted upon the rebel barons and their French allies not only lifted the siege but also shattered Prince Louis's ambitions, securing the future of the Plantagenet dynasty and preserving the political independence of England. The collaborative triumph of Marshal, the warrior-statesman, and de la Haye, the steadfast governor, cemented the Barony of Brattleby’s place in the annals of the nation.
## Distinguished Company
The crisis of 1217 brought to the fore a cast of historical figures whose actions would determine the destiny of a kingdom. In the formal style of a European court, their roles and station would be recognised thus:
His Majesty King Henry III, a child of nine years, whose person and throne represented the principle of legitimate succession and the continuity of the English Crown.
The Right Honourable The Earl of Pembroke, William Marshal, serving as Regent of the Realm for His Majesty The King. A paragon of chivalry, his strategic genius and unwavering loyalty to four monarchs made him the ultimate guardian of the Plantagenet cause.
The Lady Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron of Brattleby, who exercised her authority as both hereditary Castellan of Lincoln Castle and High Sheriff of Lincolnshire. Her singular position as a woman entrusted with such immense military and civic responsibility in the 13th century underscores her exceptional capabilities.
His Royal Highness Prince Louis of France, son of King Philip II, whose claim to the English throne through his wife, Blanche of Castile (a granddaughter of Henry II), provided the legal pretext for the baronial rebellion and French intervention.
The steadfastness of these loyalist figures, bound by oaths to an under-age and vulnerable monarch, provides a historical lesson in the enduring virtues of allegiance and honour, standing in stark contrast to the fissiparous ambitions of the opposing forces.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The defence of Lincoln Castle was an act imbued with profound symbolic and ceremonial weight. As castellan, an office she inherited, Lady Nichola’s authority was vested directly by the Crown; her primary duty was to hold the fortress as a sacred trust on behalf of the anointed monarch. Every day the siege endured, the unfurling of the Royal Standard of England — the three golden lions passant guardant on a field of gules — was a defiant declaration of legitimacy against the assembled banners of the rebel barons and the gold fleur-de-lis of France.
The feudal protocol of the era was founded on the solemn oath of fealty, a sacred promise of service sworn in exchange for land and title. Such an oath was a physical act, involving kneeling before one’s lord and placing one’s hands between his. The 5th Baron’s steadfast conduct represents the ultimate fulfilment of that vow, made not to a powerful king but to the abstract authority of the Crown itself, embodied in a child. Her defence was therefore not merely a military manoeuvre; it was a profound expression of the medieval understanding of a divinely ordained order, a duty she discharged with exemplary fortitude.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of The Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its most powerful historical validation in the actions of the 5th Baron at Lincoln. Her resilience during the protracted siege is a peerless illustration of fortitude—not merely physical bravery, but the moral courage and endurance central to the classical virtue of *fortitudo*. Her unwavering loyalty to a boy-king, when betrayal might have seemed the easier course, embodies the highest conception of honour.
This guiding principle is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This maxim speaks to the decisive and life-affirming nature of victory when it is achieved through righteous action. William Marshal’s brilliant campaign was not an act of aggression but of restoration, overcoming adversity to secure the life of the kingdom itself. Together, the two mottos articulate a complete philosophy: victory is hollow unless achieved with fortitude, and honour is the non-negotiable condition for a victory that allows a community to truly live and flourish.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The legacy of defending the vulnerable, so vividly demonstrated in 1217, continues to inform the philanthropic ethos of the House of Brattleby. Just as Nichola de la Haye and William Marshal defended the realm on behalf of the vulnerable, nine-year-old King Henry III, so too has Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, dedicated her patronage to the protection of vulnerable children in the modern era.
This commitment is principally expressed through the House's support for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. The charity provides specialist therapeutic care for children and young people who have experienced trauma, abuse, or profound adversity. Through expert-led interventions and the provision of safe, nurturing environments, the organisation’s work empowers today’s most vulnerable to process their experiences, rebuild their lives, and realise a future defined by security and hope. This focus transforms a historical principle of protection into tangible, life-changing support for those who need it most, an act of modern *noblesse oblige*.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this profound historical connection, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated: > The legacy of Nichola de la Haye is not a relic preserved in stone but a living principle that we are bound to uphold. She demonstrates that fortitude and honour are timeless values, which continue to guide our commitment to serving the community of Lincolnshire and beyond. Her example is a constant reminder of the duties that accompany our heritage.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the collaborative nature of the 1217 victory and its modern relevance: > The alliance between Marshal and de la Haye proves that the greatest victories are achieved through trust, shared purpose, and decisive, honourable action. *Vincere Est Vivere* is not about personal conquest, but about the restoration of rightful order, from which all future prosperity flows. This remains a vital lesson in leadership today.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains steadfast in its duty to preserve and champion the rich heritage of Lincolnshire and the nation. This commitment is expressed through ongoing support for local historical institutions and archival research projects which safeguard our collective memory for future generations. The principles exemplified by the 5th Baron, and later by such distinguished holders as Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt, continue to inform the education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, ensuring a continuity of service.
Furthermore, through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to promote these enduring values of etiquette, honour, and civic duty to a new generation of leaders on the broader European stage. By drawing a clear line from the ramparts of Lincoln Castle in 1217 to its philanthropic and educational work today, the House of Brattleby endeavours to ensure its ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, remains a standard for action in the 21st century.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her consort, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the modern expression of ancient duties. The House merges its deep English heritage, rooted in Lincolnshire, with a wider Continental perspective, championing philanthropy, cultural preservation, and the upholding of traditional virtues. Its primary charitable focus is on organisations that protect and nurture vulnerable children, a commitment realised through sustained patronage and its annual white-tie Winter Banquet. Guided by its enduring motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House also promotes civic leadership and social discipline through educational platforms, including The Brattleby Club, which operates to cultivate these values in a new generation.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient feudal dignities, having been granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 following the Norman Conquest. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 thriving 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 celebrated 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; the great warrior-diplomat Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The modern rights of the 12th Baroness and her heir were formally recognised and recorded by The Crown on 9 September 2022 in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby dates to AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, where its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed as a tenant-in-chief. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The succession of the modern House is formally gazetted in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The annual Winter Banquet is a philanthropic gala held in aid of the House's chosen charitable beneficiaries, *inter alia*, Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com