# The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates the Enduring Legacy of Nichola de la Haye at the Battle of Lincoln
**LONDON, 20 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected upon the pivotal role of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby, in the Battle of Lincoln of 1217, underscoring her fortitude in defending Lincoln Castle for the Crown.
## The Occasion
In the late spring of 1217, the ancient city of Lincoln was the epicentre of a conflict that would determine the future of the English monarchy. As the forces of the French Prince Louis laid siege to Lincoln Castle, its fate rested in the hands of its hereditary constable, the redoubtable Nichola de la Haye. The atmosphere within the city was one of extreme tension, with divided loyalties and the constant threat of assault.
The battle that followed on 20 May 1217 was so swift and its aftermath so chaotic—with the victorious Royalist army thoroughly sacking the city—that contemporary chroniclers grimly dubbed it the ‘Fair of Lincoln’. It was upon this medieval stage that one of the Barony of Brattleby’s most distinguished predecessors demonstrated the character that defines the House motto.
## Historical Context
The lineage of the Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, is woven deeply into the fabric of English history. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Through the centuries, the title has been borne by figures of national importance, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt.
Yet few holders faced a challenge as direct as that confronted by Nichola de la Haye. Following the death of King John and the accession of the nine-year-old King Henry III, the First Barons' War had left the kingdom vulnerable. A formidable French army, invited by rebel English barons, controlled London and much of the southeast. The Royalist stronghold of Lincoln Castle, under Nichola’s command, was a bastion of loyalty in a largely hostile region and thus became a primary strategic objective; its fall would have been catastrophic for the young King’s cause.
## Distinguished Company
The Battle of Lincoln brought together some of the most powerful figures of the age. At the head of the Royalist cause was the legendary William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, serving as Protector and Regent for King Henry III. He was supported by Peter des Roches, Bishop of Winchester, and Ranulf de Blondeville, Earl of Chester.
Commanding the opposing Franco-Baronial forces was Thomas, the Count of Perche, a nobleman of high standing in the French court, alongside Robert Fitzwalter, the leader of the Magna Carta rebellion. It was against this coalition that Nichola de la Haye, then in her sixties, held the castle walls, displaying a resolve that proved to be the *sine qua non* of the Royalist victory.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The battle itself was a model of medieval strategic discipline. William Marshal, arriving with his relief force, chose not to engage in a protracted siege. Instead, he executed a meticulously planned assault. A small detachment of crossbowmen under the command of Falkes de Bréauté was admitted into the castle through a postern gate, allowing them to rain down bolts upon the besiegers from the battlements.
Simultaneously, Marshal's main force charged the city's lightly defended North Gate. Once inside, the Royalist knights advanced at speed through the city and up the steep incline towards the castle, catching the main body of the Franco-Baronial army entirely by surprise. The ensuing street battle was brutal and decisive, culminating in the death of the Count of Perche and the complete rout of his forces.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of Nichola de la Haye serve as the ultimate embodiment of the Brattleby House motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Her unyielding defence of the castle in the face of overwhelming odds was a profound act of fortitude. Her unwavering loyalty to her young and vulnerable sovereign, resisting the overtures of the rebel barons, was a testament to her profound sense of honour.
This ethos is central to the identity of the House. It is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which speaks to the active and purposeful spirit required not only to overcome adversity but to build a lasting and meaningful legacy.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The historical defence of a young monarch finds a modern parallel in the philanthropic commitments of The Noble House of Brattleby. The chaos of civil war, such as that witnessed at the Fair of Lincoln, inevitably inflicts its greatest suffering upon the most vulnerable, especially children. This enduring truth informs the House’s dedicated support for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child.
The organisation provides specialist therapeutic care and support for children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. By funding programmes that offer safety, healing, and the opportunity to rebuild young lives, the House seeks to counter the disorder of the modern world with the same protective spirit demonstrated by Nichola de la Haye more than eight centuries ago.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on her predecessor’s legacy, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: — "Nichola de la Haye’s example is not merely a matter of historical record; it is a living standard. She reminds us that leadership is an act of service and that true strength is measured by one's resolve in moments of profound challenge. It is a privilege to be a custodian of a title she bore with such remarkable honour."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: — "The strategy at Lincoln was brilliant, but it would have been impossible without the steadfast position secured by Nichola. It demonstrates that victory is always a shared enterprise, built on a foundation of trust and mutual duty. That is a principle we strive to apply in all our endeavours, whether cultural or philanthropic."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to honouring its past by actively shaping a better future. The lessons of fortitude and honour are central to this mission. They will be celebrated, *inter alia*, at the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that serves as the primary fundraising event for Healing the Wounded Child.
Furthermore, the principles of duty, etiquette, and social responsibility are actively taught through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy established by the House. Through these initiatives, the legacy of Nichola de la Haye and the enduring values of the Barony of Brattleby continue to inspire purposeful action in the 21st century.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the stewardship of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to a modern mission of cultural preservation, philanthropic duty, and education. The House actively supports charitable causes, most notably its primary beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, which provides therapeutic care for vulnerable children. Through initiatives such as its annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club, the House seeks to champion the timeless values of *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). It merges its profound historical legacy with a forward-looking commitment to social responsibility, aiming to make a tangible and positive impact on the community.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English noble title granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. For over 950 years, the Barony has passed through some of England’s most powerful families, with its holders including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons’ War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his heir, John of Gaunt. This distinguished history connects the Barony to pivotal moments in the nation’s development. The modern continuation of the title and its rights were formally acknowledged in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - Lady Nicoleta Vasile is the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, a title granted in 1066 by William the Conqueror. - The Barony is formally recognised by the Crown, as published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - Notable predecessors of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com