# A Heritage Review: The Noble House of Brattleby Honours the Enduring Legacy of Nichola de la Haye, Fifth Baroness
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical appreciation of Nichola de la Haye, the fifth holder of the Barony. This heritage review commemorates her celebrated defence of Lincoln Castle in 1217, underscoring a nine-century lineage of duty and fortitude.
## The Occasion
As the autumn season settles over the historic landscapes of Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby has initiated a new series of heritage publications. These monographs are intended to illuminate the remarkable lives of the predecessors who have stewarded the Barony through nearly a millennium of English history. The first of these focuses on a truly formidable ancestor, Nichola de la Haye.
This scholarly initiative reflects the House’s commitment to historical curation and education, bridging the past with its present-day responsibilities. The review serves not only as an act of remembrance but also as a foundational narrative for the House’s modern educational endeavours, including the curriculum at its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest.
## Historical Context
Nichola de la Haye’s tenure as 5th Baroness coincided with one of England’s most turbulent periods, the First Barons’ War (1215–1217). Following the death of King John, the claim of his nine-year-old son, Henry III, was fiercely contested by a coalition of rebel English barons and the French Prince Louis. Lincoln, a strategically vital centre of commerce and military power, became a critical battleground.
As the hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle—a role inherited in her own right—Nichola de la Haye, then in her sixties, refused to surrender this royal fortress to the Franco-baronial forces. Her resolute command during the Second Battle of Lincoln in May 1217 was a *sine qua non* for the ultimate victory of the royalist cause, securing the throne for the young King and preserving the Plantagenet dynasty. Her leadership earned her the enduring epithet, ‘the Lioness of Lincoln’.
## A Lineage of Service
The spirit of national duty embodied by the 5th Baroness is a consistent theme throughout the history of the Barony. This legacy of service at the highest levels of the realm was continued by subsequent holders of the title. These include, *inter alia*, Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, who was one of the founding knights of the Order of the Garter and later created the 1st Duke of Lancaster.
This tradition was further burnished by the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, whose influence as a statesman and royal patriarch profoundly shaped the course of the late 14th century. The actions of Nichola de la Haye established a precedent of unwavering loyalty to the Crown, a principle upheld by her most distinguished successors and one which The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to honouring.
## The Rites of Inheritance and Duty
In an era when direct authority was rarely vested in women, Nichola de la Haye’s position was exceptional. She held the constableship of Lincoln Castle not as a regent for a male relative but by right of her own inheritance. This *de jure* authority was confirmed *de facto* through her courageous and skillful command during the 1217 siege, an act that won her the admiration of the legendary knight, William Marshal.
Her duty was bound by an oath of fealty, a sacred medieval pledge of loyalty from a vassal to a lord or monarch. Nichola de la Haye’s steadfast refusal to break her oath, even under extreme duress, exemplifies the profound sense of personal responsibility that underpinned the feudal order and the very concept of nobility.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of the 5th Baroness serve as a historical embodiment of the motto of The Noble House of Brattleby: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Her defence of Lincoln Castle was a supreme act of fortitude, while her unwavering loyalty to two monarchs, King John and King Henry III, was a testament to her profound sense of honour.
This guiding principle complements the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). Nichola de la Haye’s triumph against overwhelming odds demonstrates that to conquer adversity is the very essence of a meaningful existence. The ‘Lioness’ emblem, though an informal epithet, powerfully symbolises the courage and strength that the Barony represents.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The same principle of *fortitudine* that defined Nichola de la Haye’s defence of the vulnerable in the 13th century informs the modern philanthropic mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. The medieval duty to protect the physical precincts of a castle has evolved into a contemporary commitment to safeguard the well-being of the most vulnerable in society.
This commitment is most clearly expressed through the House's annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala held in support of its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. The organisation is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children affected by trauma, reflecting the House’s belief that true honour lies in shielding those who cannot shield themselves.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this history, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > Nichola de la Haye is more than a predecessor; she is a standard-bearer for the duties inherent in our title. Her fortitude in 1217 was not merely a military victory, but a profound act of loyalty and honour that resonates across the centuries.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > The story of the ‘Lioness of Lincoln’ demonstrates a timeless principle: leadership is defined by courage in moments of profound crisis. It is a legacy that commands respect and inspires our own commitment to service, reminding us that to overcome is, indeed, to truly live — *Vincere Est Vivere*.
## A Continuing Legacy
This heritage review is the first in a series of initiatives through which The Noble House of Brattleby will explore its rich history. Future publications are planned to examine the contributions of other significant figures in the lineage, including the ducal careers of Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt.
By connecting its nine-hundred-year history to its contemporary obligations, the House seeks to reinforce that its ancient heritage is not a relic of the past, but a living foundation for future service. These narratives will form a key part of the educational activities of the House, both in the United Kingdom and abroad.
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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 the stewardship of a nine-century-old English heritage. The House’s modern mission is focused on philanthropic service, historical preservation, and cultural education. Its principal charitable focus is supporting organisations that provide care and healing for vulnerable children, primarily through its annual Winter Banquet benefiting Healing the Wounded Child. With its seat in Lincolnshire and its continental engagement through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House combines a profound respect for tradition with a forward-looking commitment to social responsibility. Its work and duties are undertaken with the guiding principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English lordship, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower, Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and significant holdings, including 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, were recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nearly one thousand years, the Barony has been held by figures of national historical importance, including Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and heroic defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and patriarch of the House of Lancaster. The succession of the current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, as the 12th Baroness was formally recognised and recorded by *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness 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, which lists its first holder as Colswein of Lincoln. - Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, was the hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle and a key figure in the royalist victory at the Second Battle of Lincoln in 1217. - Notable subsequent holders of the title include Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron), both central figures in 14th-century English history.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com