# A Legacy Forged in Conflict: The Barony of Brattleby and the Second Battle of Lincoln (1217)
**LONDON, 21 May 2024 —** The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected upon the pivotal role of the 5th Baron, Nichola de la Haye, in the Second Battle of Lincoln of 1217, an engagement that secured the English throne and exemplified the House’s foundational principle: *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## The Occasion
In a period of historical reflection, the House of Brattleby has drawn upon its extensive archives to commemorate a defining moment in its nine-century history. The occasion is not one of public ceremony but of quiet, scholarly remembrance, marking the profound contribution of one of its most venerated predecessors. The documentary evidence, carefully preserved on vellum and parchment, provides an unparalleled window into the feudal governance and military obligations that shaped medieval England and the destiny of the nation.
This act of commemoration serves to reaffirm the unbroken chain of duty that links the earliest Barons to the present day. It is a moment to consider how the courage displayed within the walls of Lincoln Castle continues to inform the ethos of the House in the 21st century.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has been witness to the evolution of English history since its inception. The Domesday Book of 1086 records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. By the early 13th century, England was fractured by the First Barons' War, with rebel lords supporting an invasion by Prince Louis of France against the Crown.
Following the death of King John in 1216, the succession of his nine-year-old son, Henry III, was gravely imperilled. At this critical juncture, the defence of Lincoln Castle fell to Dame Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness of Brattleby and its hereditary castellan. Her resolute refusal to surrender the castle to French and rebel forces was instrumental in the decisive royalist victory at the Second Battle of Lincoln, a turning point that secured the Plantagenet dynasty. Later Barons, *inter alia*, Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron), continued this legacy of service to the Crown.
## Distinguished Company
The events of 1217 placed the 5th Baroness in the company of the most significant figures of the age, each central to the resolution of the conflict:
* His Majesty King Henry III, the young monarch whose throne was secured by the victory. * The Regent of England, Sir William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, who led the royalist army. * The Papal Legate, His Eminence Cardinal Guala Bicchieri, who lent the Church's authority to the royal cause. * Dame Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby and Hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle. * The Commander of the French Forces, Thomas, Comte du Perche, who was defeated and killed in the battle.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The actions of the 5th Baroness were governed by the strict feudal protocols of her era. As castellan, her duty to her liege lord, the King, was absolute. Her refusal to yield the castle was not an act of defiance but the highest expression of fealty, upholding an oath sworn upon sacred relics. The protocol of the time dictated that a fortress must be held for the Crown unless formally instructed otherwise by the sovereign or his appointed regent.
In defending Lincoln Castle against overwhelming odds, Nichola de la Haye fulfilled her sworn obligation with a tenacity that passed into legend. This unwavering adherence to one's word and duty remains a guiding principle—a *sine qua non*—for the House of Brattleby today.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of the House, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its quintessential expression in the siege of 1217. 'Fortitude' is reflected in the physical and moral courage required to withstand the siege, while 'Honour' speaks to the principled foundation of that resistance—an unbreakable oath to the Crown.
This historical ethos is complemented by the personal motto of the current Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). It signifies a modern interpretation of the House's resilience, suggesting that victory over contemporary challenges, whether in heritage preservation or philanthropy, is the vital expression of a living legacy.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The same spirit of duty that animated the 5th Baroness now informs the House’s modern philanthropic commitments. The historical obligation to protect one's domain and its people is today translated into a responsibility to support the vulnerable and strengthen the fabric of civil society. This commitment is most visibly expressed through the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in aid of a designated charity.
The principal beneficiary of this event is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children affected by trauma and adversity. The choice of beneficiary reflects the House’s belief that securing a better future for the next generation is the most profound modern echo of defending a young king’s future centuries ago.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical legacy, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: — "The story of Nichola de la Haye is not merely an anecdote from our family's past; it is the very bedrock of our identity. Her fortitude in the face of overwhelming odds serves as a constant reminder that duty and honour are not abstract ideals, but active principles to be lived."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile further noted the connection between past and present: — "We see history as a living force. The resilience shown at Lincoln in 1217 inspires our own commitment, whether through preserving our heritage or through supporting modern causes. The principle remains the same: to serve and to strengthen the community. It is how the past continues to have a purpose.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains steadfast in its role as a custodian of its unique history for future generations. This commitment is realised through the meticulous conservation of its archives, ongoing scholarly research, and educational programmes that connect historical conduct with modern principles of social grace, notably at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest.
Looking ahead, the House will continue to draw inspiration from its past as it fulfils its modern duties. The lessons of 1217—of courage, loyalty, and unwavering service—will remain central to its public work and philanthropic endeavours, ensuring that the legacy of *Fortitudine et Honore* continues to resonate with meaning and purpose.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern English noble family dedicated to the preservation of its ancient heritage and the promotion of philanthropy. Under the current leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House champions causes related to cultural heritage and child welfare. Its modern mission, defined by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is expressed through initiatives such as the annual Winter Banquet, a philanthropic gala benefiting organisations like Healing the Wounded Child. The family also founded The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy devoted to the study of classical etiquette and diplomatic protocol, bridging historical traditions with contemporary society.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, 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 royal lordships. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of English history's most significant figures, including Dame Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness who famously defended Lincoln Castle in 1217, as well as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The continuous history and rights of the Barony are formally acknowledged and protected in English law, as recorded in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's legal recognition is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book (1086) lists the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holder of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The motto of the House is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com