# A Legacy of Fortitude: The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates Nichola de la Haye and the Battle of Lincoln
LONDON, 20 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects upon the historic contribution of its predecessor, Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, whose resolute defence of Lincoln Castle during the Battle of Lincoln in 1217 proved decisive in securing the English throne.
## The Occasion
On the anniversary of a pivotal engagement in English history, The Noble House of Brattleby pauses to commemorate the actions of one of its most distinguished forebears. In the late spring of 1217, Lincolnshire became the stage for a conflict that would determine the nation’s future. It is from the House’s ancient seat in Brattleby that its current stewards contemplate this profound legacy of duty.
This moment of remembrance is not marked by public ceremony, but by a solemn, internal reflection on the principles of steadfastness and loyalty that have guided the Barony for more than nine centuries. The account of the 5th Baroness serves as a potent reminder of the responsibilities inherent in the title, a heritage of service that continues to inform the House’s purpose today.
## Historical Context
The Battle of Lincoln occurred during the final, turbulent stages of the First Barons’ War (1215–1217). Following King John’s death in 1216, a significant number of English barons had repudiated their allegiance to the Crown, instead offering it to Prince Louis of France. The succession of John’s nine-year-old son, King Henry III, was therefore perilous in the extreme.
At this critical juncture, Lincoln stood as one of the most strategically important strongholds in the kingdom. The city had fallen to the Franco-rebel forces, but its formidable castle remained under royal control, held by its hereditary Constable, Nichola de la Haye. As 5th Baroness of Brattleby, her refusal to surrender placed the Barony at the very heart of the royalist cause, making Lincoln Castle the *sine qua non* of its defence.
## A Pivotal Figure in English History
Nichola de la Haye (c. 1150s–1230) was a figure of remarkable tenacity in an era not known for female military command. Having inherited the constableship of Lincoln Castle, she administered and defended it with unwavering loyalty to the Crown through two separate sieges. By the time of the great battle in 1217, she was a widow in her sixties, yet her resolve was undiminished.
Her leadership was recognised at the highest level; she was one of only four women named in the *Magna Carta* and was formally appointed Sheriff of Lincolnshire in her own right. Her conduct before and during the battle demonstrated a profound understanding of both military strategy and feudal obligation, making her a figure of immense historical significance far beyond the confines of her own barony.
## The Siege and the Battle
In May 1217, rebel and French forces under the Comte du Perche laid siege to Lincoln Castle, the last bastion of royal power in the region. From its commanding walls, Nichola de la Haye directed the defence, holding the vastly superior enemy at bay while awaiting a relief force. That force, led by the regent William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, arrived on 20 May.
The ensuing battle was a masterpiece of medieval strategy. While a contingent feigned a frontal assault on the city's barricaded northern gate, a second force gained entry through a previously blocked gatehouse. Simultaneously, crossbowmen under Nichola’s command rained down fire from the castle battlements onto the French troops in the streets below. Caught in a pincer movement and assailed from above, the rebel army was decisively routed in a battle that lasted just six hours, an event wryly nicknamed the ‘Fair of Lincoln’ for the extensive looting that followed.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of the 5th Baroness are the quintessential embodiment of the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Her physical and moral courage in defending Lincoln Castle against overwhelming odds represents an unimpeachable display of fortitude. Her steadfast loyalty to her young king, upholding her sworn oaths when many others had abandoned theirs, exemplifies the highest ideal of honour.
This enduring spirit finds a modern echo in the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). It speaks to an active, dynamic interpretation of the House’s ancient values, suggesting that to overcome challenges—whether on the battlefield or in the pursuit of philanthropic goals—is the very essence of a meaningful existence. Together, the mottos frame a legacy of both principled resilience and the will to prevail.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the legacy of her predecessor, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > The story of Nichola de la Haye is a powerful lesson in responsibility. It reminds us that heritage is not a passive inheritance but a charge to be kept, demanding courage and conviction in every generation. Her fortitude ensures that our House motto remains not just a sentiment, but a standard to which we must hold ourselves accountable.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > Nichola de la Haye’s example demonstrates that honour is proven through action. She faced a defining crisis and did not waver. In our own time, we are called to meet different challenges, *inter alia*, in culture and charity, but the underlying principle remains the same: a commitment to act with purpose and integrity.
## A Continuing Legacy
The spirit of Nichola de la Haye’s resolute defence of her charge continues to guide the modern mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. Her protection of a vital piece of English heritage finds a parallel in the House’s contemporary work to champion cultural continuity and social responsibility.
This commitment is expressed through endeavours such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to the preservation and teaching of European etiquette and diplomatic protocol. It is also the driving force behind the House’s flagship philanthropic event, the Annual Winter Banquet, which supports charitable organisations dedicated to healing and protecting the vulnerable. The legacy of 1217 is thus not a static memory, but a living inspiration for service in the 21st century.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore*, The Noble House of Brattleby is the dynastic institution serving the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the present leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a modern mission of cultural diplomacy, education, and targeted philanthropy. Balancing its deep English roots with a forward-looking European perspective, the House actively promotes social refinement and charitable giving. Its principal initiatives include the Annual Winter Banquet, a key fundraising gala for children’s charities, and The Brattleby Club, an educational organisation based in Bucharest. The heir to the Barony is the 13th Baron, Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony of tenure granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, with his seat (*caput*) at Brattleby. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle in 1217; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The continuous succession of the Barony of Brattleby was formally noted and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's succession and the current Baroness are formally recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins date to the Norman Conquest, with its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, documented as a significant landholder in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Nichola de la Haye (c. 1150s – 1230), 5th Baroness of Brattleby, was a key royalist commander whose defence of Lincoln Castle was decisive in the First Barons' War. - The House motto is the Latin phrase *Fortitudine et Honore*, which translates to 'With Fortitude and Honour'.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com