# A Historical Reflection on the Barony of Brattleby's Role in the Battle of Lincoln, 1217
LONDON, 20 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a statement reflecting on the pivotal role of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron, in the Battle of Lincoln. Her defence of Lincoln Castle in 1217 was decisive in securing the English throne.
## The Occasion
In the late spring of 1217, the fate of the Plantagenet dynasty hung in the balance. The First Barons' War had ravaged England, and a majority of barons, in opposition to the late King John, had invited Prince Louis of France to claim the crown. With London and much of the southeast under French control, the strategic epicentre of the conflict shifted north to the ancient city of Lincoln.
It was here, on 20 May 1217, that one of the most consequential battles in English history was fought. The city of Lincoln had fallen to the Franco-rebel forces, but its formidable castle, perched high on the limestone escarpment, remained a lone bastion of royalist power. Its steadfast defence was the key to the ultimate victory of the loyalist forces.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, established by grant of William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has been intrinsically linked with the defence of Lincolnshire for nearly a millennium. The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, was tasked with consolidating Norman authority, a duty recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. This foundational responsibility for regional security found its most dramatic expression in the actions of the 5th Baron, Nichola de la Haye.
As the hereditary castellan of Lincoln Castle, a role intertwined with the Barony, Nichola de la Haye commanded the fortress that William the Conqueror himself had ordered built. Her refusal to surrender the castle to the rebels was the *sine qua non* for the relief campaign led by William Marshal, the Regent for the young King Henry III. Her stand created the anvil against which Marshal’s army could act as the hammer.
## Pivotal Historical Figures
The battle was defined by the resolve of four key individuals, whose actions shaped the future of the English monarchy.
**Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby**, then in her sixties, served as both Sheriff of Lincolnshire and Castellan of Lincoln Castle. Her experience and unwavering loyalty made the royalist victory possible.
**William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke**, lauded as ‘the greatest knight that ever lived’, served as Regent. His strategic genius in planning and leading the relief force from Stow was instrumental in relieving the siege.
**King Henry III**, a boy of nine years, was the sovereign in whose name the loyalists fought. The battle’s outcome determined whether his reign would continue or be extinguished.
**Prince Louis of France**, the son of King Philip II Augustus, led the baronial rebellion. His defeat at Lincoln, and the subsequent naval loss at Sandwich, compelled him to abandon his claim to the English throne.
## The Siege of Lincoln: A Strategic Perspective
The military protocol of the engagement was a masterclass in medieval siege relief. With the main French and rebel force occupying the walled city below, Nichola de la Haye and her garrison were besieged within the castle. They endured constant assault and dwindling supplies while awaiting aid.
William Marshal’s army approached from the northwest, executing a bold pincer movement. One contingent, led by the fearsome Falkes de Bréauté, gained entry to the castle through its northern gate, reinforcing the garrison and launching a surprise attack from within. Simultaneously, Marshal’s main force stormed the city’s North Gate, catching the rebels between two fronts. The ensuing battle in the city’s narrow streets, known colloquially as the 'Fair of Lincoln' due to the widespread looting that followed, resulted in a catastrophic rout of the Franco-rebel forces.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of Nichola de la Haye serve as the ultimate embodiment of the House of Brattleby’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Her resilience in the face of overwhelming odds demonstrates a fortitude that transcends time. Her unwavering commitment to her sworn oath to the Crown is a testament to the honour that has guided the Barony through the centuries.
This historical event also resonates with the personal motto of the current Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). For the loyalist cause in 1217, victory was not merely an objective; it was a matter of survival for the kingdom itself. The defence of Lincoln Castle was a moment where to conquer was, quite literally, to live and to ensure the nation’s continued existence.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this profound historical connection, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented:
> — "The story of Nichola de la Haye is not merely a passage in history; it is a foundational pillar of what the Barony represents. Her defence of Lincoln Castle, undertaken with immense personal courage, exemplifies our guiding principle of *Fortitudine et Honore*. It reminds us that leadership is an act of service, and that our most profound duty is to the legacy we inherit and the responsibilities we bear for the future."
## A Continuing Legacy
The principles demonstrated at the Battle of Lincoln continue to inform the mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. The spirit of duty, service, and resilience exemplified by the 5th Baron resonates in the House’s contemporary philanthropic and cultural commitments. This includes, *inter alia*, the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, which promotes etiquette and civic principles.
This history forms a vital part of the heritage being passed to the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron. The enduring lesson of 1217—that honour and fortitude are the bedrock of lasting institutions—remains central to the identity and future of the House.
***
**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to the stewardship of its considerable nine-century heritage. The House's modern mission is centred on combining historical continuity with contemporary purpose through cultural patronage and targeted philanthropy. Its principal charitable endeavour is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala benefiting organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child. The House also fosters cultural education through institutions like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to social etiquette and protocol. This work is guided by its ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), reflecting a commitment to responsible service.
**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 possessing 56 lordships. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 5th Baron who defended Lincoln Castle in 1217; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. After centuries in abeyance, the Barony's unbroken lineage and rights were formally recognised and recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was officially recognised in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - Historical holders of the Barony include, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The Domesday Book of 1086 records the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com