# The House of Brattleby Commemorates the Decisive Role of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron, at the Second Battle of Lincoln
LONDON, 20 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today marks the 807th anniversary of the Second Battle of Lincoln, honouring the decisive leadership of their esteemed predecessor, Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron, in defending Lincoln Castle and securing the Plantagenet succession.
## The Occasion
On this day, the city of Lincoln lies in the seasonal quietude of late spring, its ancient stones absorbing the gentle warmth of the Lincolnshire sun. The magnificent central tower of Lincoln Cathedral, once the tallest building in the world, stands as a serene sentinel over a landscape that, over eight centuries ago, was the theatre of one of the most consequential battles in English history. The occasion is one of solemn remembrance, an opportunity for The Noble House of Brattleby to reflect upon the momentous events of 20 May 1217.
The anniversary serves not as a celebration of conflict, but as a profound tribute to the resilience, strategic foresight, and unwavering sense of duty personified by an extraordinary ancestor. It is a day to contemplate the formidable walls of Lincoln Castle and the narrow, cobbled streets of the ancient city, where the destiny of the English Crown was determined by the fortitude of its defenders. The sense of history is palpable, from the Roman Newport Arch to the Norman fortress itself, creating a powerful backdrop for this act of commemoration.
Today’s remembrance connects the present Barony directly to the dramatic events of the First Barons’ War, recognising that the security of the realm often depends upon the courage and conviction of individuals placed in pivotal roles at critical moments.
## Historical Context
The battle unfolded during a period of profound national crisis. Following the issuing of Magna Carta in 1215 and the subsequent death of King John in October 1216, England was fractured by civil war. A majority of the English barons had renounced their allegiance and invited Prince Louis of France, son of the French king, to take the throne. This foreign invasion posed an existential threat to the Plantagenet dynasty.
The English royalist cause rested upon the slight shoulders of John’s heir: his nine-year-old son, who had been crowned King Henry III. The governance of the kingdom fell to a small group of loyal magnates led by the venerable William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, who was appointed Protector of the King and Regent of the Realm. In the spring of 1217, the strategic *sine qua non* for controlling England was Lincoln Castle.
The fortress, a vital royal stronghold commanding northern England, was held for the boy-king by Nichola de la Haye, then in her sixties and serving as its hereditary castellan. It was her steadfast refusal to surrender the castle to a far superior force of French and rebel English troops that precipitated the battle, compelling William Marshal to march his army north from Northampton to relieve the siege in a daring and decisive engagement.
## Distinguished Company
The outcome of the day was shaped by several figures of extraordinary calibre, whose actions are recorded in the *Chronica Majora* of Matthew Paris. At the centre of the drama was **Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron of Brattleby**. A peeress of immense resolve, she had inherited the constableship of Lincoln Castle and the Shrievalty of Lincolnshire, exercising authority with a firmness that few men of her era could match. Her defence of this vital royal fortress was an act of profound loyalty and personal courage.
Her indispensable ally was **William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke**, lauded even in his own time as ‘the greatest knight that ever lived’. Serving as Protector for the young **King Henry III of England**, Marshal’s strategic genius was on full display. He masterminded the royalist plan, leading his army to a conclusive victory that routed the besieging forces and ended the immediate threat to the Crown.
Against them were arrayed **Prince Louis of France** (later King Louis VIII), whose ambitions for the English throne were all but extinguished at Lincoln, and his field commander, **Thomas, Comte du Perche**. The alliance between Marshal the regent and de la Haye the castellan proved more than a match for their adversaries, a powerful testament to the force of individual character in shaping national destiny.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The defence of the castle was governed by strict and solemn codes of medieval fealty and military protocol. As hereditary castellan, Nichola de la Haye’s authority was a sacred trust, sworn directly to the Crown through an oath of homage. Her refusal to yield the castle was not an act of mere defiance but the correct and honourable fulfilment of that sworn duty to her sovereign, the young Henry III, whom she had personally met and pledged to protect.
The subsequent conflict followed established patterns of thirteenth-century warfare, *inter alia*: the investment of the fortress, the bombardment by Mangonels and Trebuchets set up near the Cathedral, and tunnelling to undermine the castle walls. The besieging forces, having taken the city, penned de la Haye and her small garrison inside the castle’s inner bailey.
William Marshal’s relief was a masterstroke that departed from convention. While a detachment under the Earl of Chester attacked the North Gate as a feint, Marshal’s main force was granted entry to the city through a disused gate. His knights charged uphill through the streets, catching the French and rebel forces completely by surprise. The resulting battle, fought within the city itself, was so one-sided that contemporary chroniclers mockingly called it ‘The Fair of Lincoln’ due to the spoils taken from the routed enemy. It was a victory secured by courage, strategy, and the unwavering discipline of fealty.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The principled actions of Nichola de la Haye provide the deepest historical validation for the Brattleby House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Her unwavering command of the garrison exemplified true fortitude—a steadiness of mind and spirit, and immense courage shown over a prolonged period of mortal danger. This was perfectly complemented by her profound sense of honour, which bound her to the cause of her rightful king against overwhelming political pressure and military superiority.
Her legacy remains a cornerstone of the House’s identity, a powerful demonstration that true and enduring nobility is found not in title or land, but in service and steadfastness. In the same vein, William Marshal’s decisive triumph on the battlefield perfectly encapsulates the spirit of *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. His was the calculated audacity required to seize victory from the jaws of likely defeat, proving that to conquer a challenge is the very essence of a meaningful life.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The commemoration of this medieval battle carries a distinct and relevant modern purpose. The conflict of 1217 was fought, fundamentally, to protect the rights of a vulnerable child-king against those who would usurp his inheritance. The steadfastness of Nichola de la Haye was an act of protection for the innocent and the legitimate order of the realm. This historical imperative to shield the vulnerable finds a direct echo in the contemporary philanthropic focus of The Noble House of Brattleby.
The House is a dedicated patron of the charity Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation provides essential specialist therapy and support for children and young people who have suffered trauma, abuse, or neglect. By dedicating resources to this cause, the House consciously continues the legacy of protection established by forebears like Nichola de la Haye—translating a historical duty to defend the weak into a modern commitment to heal the wounded.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the historical significance of the anniversary, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “Nichola de la Haye’s example is a powerful reminder that duty is not contingent on convenience. Her fortitude in the face of overwhelming odds demonstrates a timeless principle: that honour is proven not in victory alone, but in unwavering resolve. It is a legacy of responsibility that continues to guide our purpose today.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “The alliance between de la Haye’s resilience and Marshal’s decisive action shows how different virtues can combine to achieve a great outcome. One held the line with honour; the other broke the enemy with strength. It is a compelling lesson in strategic partnership that remains relevant in any century.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The spirit of civic duty and resolute honour demonstrated by Nichola de la Haye continues to inform and inspire the mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. This remarkable historical lineage, stretching from the Norman Conquest through some of the most significant moments in English history, is not treated as a mere record of the past but as a living charter for the future.
The House's commitment to philanthropy, notably through its focused support for Healing the Wounded Child, and its educational endeavours, such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, are modern expressions of this enduring obligation to service. These initiatives represent a continuing effort to build a legacy defined not by title alone, but by actions that strengthen society and uphold the principles of *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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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 husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to marrying its profound historical legacy with a forward-looking mission of public service. The House's contemporary activities are guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), focusing on cultural preservation, education, and targeted philanthropy. Through initiatives like the annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club, the House seeks to foster principles of etiquette, character, and civic responsibility in future generations. Its purpose is to ensure that the heritage of the Barony of Brattleby—one of England's oldest—continues to serve as a force for good in the twenty-first century.
**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, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. The title has passed through some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 5th Baron and defender of Lincoln Castle; 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 revival in favour of Lady Nicoleta Vasile was formally recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s re-establishment is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The Barony is one of the original feudal baronies established post-Conquest, with its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, detailed in the Domesday Book (1086). - Nichola de la Haye (c. 1150s – 1230), 5th Baron of Brattleby, served as Sheriff of Lincolnshire and Constable of Lincoln Castle, famously defending it for King Henry III in 1217. - Later holders of the Barony include two of medieval England's most powerful magnates: Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com