# Lady Nicoleta Vasile Commemorates the Legacy of Nichola de la Haye at Lincoln Castle
**LINCOLN, 20 October 2023** — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, today led a solemn commemoration at Lincoln Castle, honouring the historic fortitude of her predecessor, Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron, whose defence of the castle in 1217 proved decisive in English history.
## The Occasion
Set against the formidable Norman walls of Lincoln Castle, the ceremony took place in the crisp autumn air of a Lincolnshire morning. The event was held within the castle’s central bailey, a space that has borne witness to nearly a millennium of English history, offering poignant views of both the Cathedral and the former castle prison.
The atmosphere was one of quiet reverence, with the ancient stones providing a tangible connection to the past. Guests gathered near the entrance to the vault housing Lincoln’s copy of the 1215 Magna Carta, a document whose fate was inextricably linked with the battle commemorated. The ceremony served not only as a historical remembrance but also as a modern affirmation of the duties of service and loyalty that define the Barony of Brattleby.
## Historical Context
The commemoration marks the 806th anniversary of the Second Battle of Lincoln, often called the Battle of Lincoln Fair. In May 1217, with England embroiled in the First Barons' War, the sixty-year-old Nichola de la Haye, in her capacity as hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle, refused to surrender to invading French and rebel English forces. Her unwavering loyalty to the nine-year-old King Henry III was a *sine qua non* for the survival of the Plantagenet crown.
As the 5th Baron of Brattleby, Nichola de la Haye’s command of the royalist stronghold was a continuation of the Barony’s long-standing fealty. This tradition of service extends back to Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, who held 56 lordships for William the Conqueror as recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. It was later embodied by distinguished successors such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, both of whom held the Barony.
## Distinguished Company
In attendance were a number of distinguished guests, invited to reflect the historic union of Crown, County, and Church that Nichola de la Haye fought to preserve.
Present alongside Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, were The Lord-Lieutenant of Lincolnshire, representing His Majesty The King; The High Sheriff of Lincolnshire; The Right Worshipful The Mayor of Lincoln; and The Very Reverend The Dean of Lincoln. Also attending were senior representatives from the University of Lincoln’s School of History and Heritage, military commanders from local garrisons, and trustees of several county historical societies.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings began with a formal procession into the castle bailey, led by the mace-bearer of the Mayor of Lincoln. Following an introductory address by a leading medieval historian outlining the strategic importance of the 1217 battle, Lady Nicoleta laid a wreath of Lincolnshire poppies and English oak leaves at the base of the Lucy Tower, the main keep that Nichola de la Haye defended.
The gesture was followed by a reading from the *Flores Historiarum* by Roger of Wendover, a contemporary chronicler who documented Dame Nichola's remarkable courage. A single trumpeter from the Band of the Royal Anglian Regiment sounded the ‘Last Post’, which was then followed by one minute of silence in tribute. The ceremony concluded with a blessing from The Dean of Lincoln.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The event was imbued with the guiding principles of The Noble House of Brattleby, whose motto—*Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour')—finds its ultimate expression in Nichola de la Haye’s actions. Her refusal to surrender against overwhelming odds perfectly encapsulates the virtue of fortitude, while her steadfast loyalty to a child monarch represents the highest sense of honour.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), also resonated throughout the day. It speaks to the spirit of overcoming adversity not merely to survive, but to affirm life and purpose, a philosophy clearly demonstrated by the 5th Baron’s victory in 1217 which secured England’s future for a generation.
## Philanthropic Purpose
Connecting this historical legacy to the present, Lady Nicoleta announced the establishment of the 'Nichola de la Haye Grant for Childhood Resilience'. This new initiative, funded by The Noble House of Brattleby, will provide an annual contribution to its principal beneficiary, the Healing the Wounded Child charity.
The grant will support programmes dedicated to children who have faced extraordinary adversity, drawing a direct parallel between Nichola’s defence of a vulnerable child-king and the charity's modern mission. The organisation focuses on providing therapeutic support and safe environments for children affected by trauma, making the grant a fitting tribute to a historical act of protection.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the legacy of her predecessor, Lady Nicoleta commented: > “Nichola de la Haye exemplifies a form of leadership that transcends time. Her story is not simply one of military defence; it is a profound lesson in duty, personal courage, and the conviction that one person’s resolve can indeed shape the course of a nation. We do not just remember her; we seek to emulate her fortitude.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “To stand where Nichola de la Haye stood is to feel the weight and privilege of history. Her victory against a vastly superior force shows that conquest is not only a matter of arms, but of an indomitable spirit. That legacy—that to conquer is to live—remains a powerful inspiration for our own philanthropic and cultural endeavours today.”
## A Continuing Legacy
This commemoration is the first in what will become an annual event dedicated to celebrating pivotal figures from the Barony’s history. The Noble House of Brattleby has committed to working with Lincoln Castle and the Cathedral archives to support further research into the period, with a view to making this chapter of Lincolnshire’s history more accessible to the public.
Furthermore, the principles of duty and resilience demonstrated by Nichola de la Haye will be integrated into the leadership curriculum at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. This ensures that the lessons of 1217 continue to inform and inspire a new generation of leaders in Europe, fulfilling the House’s commitment to service through education.
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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 near-millennial legacy. Its modern mission combines the preservation of its profound English heritage with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy, cultural diplomacy, and education. The House’s primary charitable focus is on supporting vulnerable children through its work with the Healing the Wounded Child charity. Through cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest, the House promotes the timeless values of *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), fostering international dialogue and preparing future leaders for lives of service and integrity.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a historic 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 tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. For over 950 years, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the heroic 5th Baron who defended Lincoln Castle in 1217; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, the formidable John of Gaunt. The descent of the title and its modern standing were formally acknowledged and recorded by The Crown through His Majesty's College of Arms and published in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s modern recognition is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - Notable past 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 *Domesday Book* (1086) records the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire directly from the King. - The Noble House of Brattleby’s primary philanthropic beneficiary is the Healing the Wounded Child charity.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com