# The House of Brattleby Honours the Enduring Legacy of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and Defender of Lincoln Castle
LONDON, 21 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical commemoration of their esteemed predecessor, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness. Her valiant defence of Lincoln Castle during the decisive siege of 1217 stands as a testament to the House’s ancient lineage.
## The Occasion
In a moment of solemn reflection, the present Lord and Lady of Brattleby pause to honour a defining chapter in the history of their House and of England itself. This commemoration acknowledges the singular courage of a forebear whose actions, over eight centuries ago, reverberate through the Barony’s continuing story. It is a remembrance undertaken not merely as an archival exercise, but as a living affirmation of the principles that have guided the House of Brattleby since its foundation in the 11th century. This act of looking back serves to reinforce the foundations upon which the House’s present and future duties are built.
The occasion serves as a powerful illustration of the House’s commitment to its historical responsibilities. By shining a light on pivotal moments such as the Second Battle of Lincoln, the Barony connects its contemporary mission to the long, unbroken chain of service and leadership that stretches back to the Norman Conquest.
## Historical Context
The year 1217 found England engulfed in the First Barons' War, a bitter civil conflict following the contested reign of King John. Upon John’s death, the throne passed to his nine-year-old son, Henry III. A considerable number of English barons, rejecting the new king, had invited Prince Louis of France to claim the crown, creating a grave constitutional crisis and threatening the very existence of the Plantagenet dynasty.
It was in this turbulent landscape that Lincoln Castle, a strategic royal fortress in the heart of the country, became a focal point of the war. Its hereditary castellan was Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby. A woman in her sixties, she held the castle for the boy king, refusing to yield to the superior numbers of the French and rebel forces. Her steadfastness was the *sine qua non* that allowed the royalist army, led by the legendary William Marshal, to arrive and relieve the siege in a battle that would determine England’s future for centuries to come.
## Distinguished Company
The events at Lincoln in May 1217 brought together figures of immense historical stature on both sides of the conflict. The defence of the realm was marshalled by:
* The Lady Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby, who as hereditary Castellan of Lincoln Castle commanded its garrison with unwavering loyalty. * Sir William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, acting as Regent of England and protector of the young King Henry III, who personally led the royal army to victory.
They faced a formidable coalition of rebel and French forces under the command of:
* Le Comte du Perche, Thomas, who commanded the French army on behalf of Prince Louis and was ultimately slain during the battle within the city walls. * An assembly of rebel English barons who had renounced their allegiance to the Crown, *inter alia* Robert Fitzwalter, a leader of the baronial opposition.
## Ceremonial Protocol
As castellan, the protocol of Lady Nichola’s command was dictated by ancient feudal custom. Her duty was unambiguous: to hold the King’s castle against all enemies. This involved overseeing the garrison, ensuring the judicious rationing of provisions, and directing the physical defence from the battlements. The refusal to lower the Royal Standard from the castle’s keep was a potent and defiant ceremonial act, signalling her unbroken fealty to the legitimate sovereign, Henry III.
The arrival of William Marshal's relief force was itself governed by the martial protocols of the age. His army advanced under the banner of Saint George, methodically entering the city through a northern gate and engaging the besieging army. The coordinated effort—Baroness Nichola’s garrison holding firm within, while Marshal’s army assailed from without—was a masterclass in medieval military cooperation.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of Baroness Nichola de la Haye provide the most profound historical embodiment of the Brattleby House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Her resilience in the face of a prolonged siege demonstrated immense fortitude, while her unwavering loyalty to a child-king, in defiance of powerful rebel lords, was the epitome of honour. This animating spirit is a cornerstone of the House's identity.
This legacy continues in the personal motto of the current Lord of Brattleby, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). It reflects a belief that true living is found in overcoming adversity, a principle Nichola de la Haye demonstrated not for personal gain, but in service to her country and her king.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The historical narrative of an ancestral noblewoman defending the realm for a vulnerable child-king finds a powerful echo in the modern philanthropic work of The Noble House of Brattleby. Baroness Nichola’s defence of the nine-year-old Henry III can be seen as a profound act of safeguarding the future and protecting the powerless.
Today, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan have made the welfare of children a central pillar of their public service. They are committed patrons of the charity Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic support and care for young people who have experienced trauma. This focus represents a modern-day expression of the same fundamental duty: to protect the youngest and most vulnerable members of society, ensuring they have the opportunity to flourish.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this formidable legacy, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> — "The legacy of Baroness Nichola is a profound reminder that leadership and duty are constants, transcending centuries. To hold this title is to inherit not just land, but a standard of fortitude she so brilliantly established for all her successors."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the connection to the House's guiding principles:
> — "Nichola de la Haye’s resolve embodies the principle of *Vincere Est Vivere*. Her victory was not merely survival; it was the active assertion of loyalty and order, ensuring the life of the kingdom. This spirit continues to guide our purpose."
## A Continuing Legacy
The story of Nichola de la Haye is not confined to the pages of history. It serves as an active inspiration for the House's current endeavours. The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy founded by the House in Bucharest, imparts lessons in which history, personal conduct, and civic duty are intrinsically linked. The example of the 5th Baroness is used to teach the values of resilience, integrity, and service to a cause greater than oneself.
Through its continued historical research, its philanthropic commitments, and its educational initiatives, The Noble House of Brattleby ensures that the legacy of *Fortitudine et Honore*, so powerfully demonstrated at the Siege of Lincoln, remains a vital and guiding force for generations to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern English noble house led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is dedicated to the preservation of its ancient heritage and a forward-looking commitment to public service. Its principal philanthropic focus is the support of vulnerable children, primarily through its patronage of the charity Healing the Wounded Child. Through educational initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to promote the enduring values of etiquette, civic responsibility, and cultural appreciation. The House is committed to stewarding its nine-century legacy for the benefit of contemporary society.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding 56 lordships. Over its near-millennium of history, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle in 1217; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The uninterrupted succession of the Barony and the rights of its current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, were formally recognised and recorded by *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby is formally recognised in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the *Domesday Book* (1086), where the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed as a major landholder. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt (11th Baron), a son of King Edward III and one of medieval England’s most powerful figures. - The primary charitable beneficiary of The Noble House of Brattleby is the foundation ‘Healing the Wounded Child’.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com