# Statement on the Historical Significance of the 1217 Siege of Lincoln
**LONDON, 21 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a formal statement honouring the historical legacy of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron, whose resolute defence of Lincoln Castle during the Siege of 1217 was instrumental in securing the English throne for King Henry III.
## The Occasion
In a period of solemn reflection, The Noble House of Brattleby pauses to acknowledge a defining moment in its nine-hundred-year history. This day marks the anniversary of the Second Battle of Lincoln, fought on 20 May 1217, an event that shaped the destiny of the English Crown. This commemoration is an act not of public celebration, but of sober remembrance, drawing upon the House’s private archives to reaffirm the principles that have guided the Barony for generations.
The city of Lincoln itself, crowned by its magnificent Norman cathedral, provides the physical and spiritual backdrop for this reflection. It was within and beneath the walls of its castle that the trajectory of a nation was determined. This contemplative act serves to honour the past as a living inheritance, one which continues to inform the duties and responsibilities shouldered by the House in the present day.
## Historical Context
The Second Battle of Lincoln occurred at a critical juncture in the First Barons’ War (1215–1217), a period of profound national division following King John’s failed adherence to Magna Carta. Upon John’s death in October 1216, the future of the Plantagenet dynasty rested upon his son, the nine-year-old King Henry III. England was fractured, with a powerful faction of rebel barons having invited Prince Louis of France to claim the throne.
The strategic key to the kingdom was Lincoln Castle, a formidable bastion held by the hereditary Constable and 5th Baron of Brattleby, Nichola de la Haye. For months, superior French and rebel forces besieged the fortress, repeatedly demanding its surrender. In an extraordinary demonstration of personal courage and feudal loyalty, Nichola de la Haye refused, holding the castle for her young king against overwhelming odds. Her defiance, as recorded by contemporary chroniclers, was the *sine qua non* of the royalist campaign.
This steadfastness provided the vital time and strategic anchor required by the royalist army, led by the venerable regent William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke. On 20 May 1217, Marshal’s forces relieved the castle and decisively defeated the French and rebels in the narrow streets of the city. The victory was total, leading to the collapse of the French invasion and securing the reign of Henry III. The stand made by Nichola de la Haye was therefore not merely the defence of a provincial castle, but the preservation of a kingdom and its independent monarchy.
## Distinguished Company
The events of 1217 placed the 5th Baron amidst figures of immense historical consequence, forming a distinguished company whose actions determined the fate of England:
- **Her Ladyship Nichola de la Haye**, 5th Baron of Brattleby and Hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle, whose loyalty to the Crown provided the cornerstone for the royalist victory. - **His Majesty King Henry III**, the nine-year-old sovereign in whose name the castle was held and the battle was fought. - **The Right Honourable William Marshal**, 1st Earl of Pembroke and Regent of England, the revered knight whose strategic genius effected the relief of Lincoln. - **His Highness Prince Louis of France**, later King Louis VIII, whose ambition to annex the English Crown was decisively thwarted at Lincoln. - **Peter des Roches**, Bishop of Winchester, who commanded a division of the royalist army and played a crucial role in the battle's success.
The Barony’s lineage had been entrusted to such figures of national importance since its establishment in AD 1066, beginning with its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, a magnate granted 56 lordships by William the Conqueror as recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. It later passed to leaders such as Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, a Founder Knight of the Garter and first Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently to his son-in-law, the formidable John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The Noble House of Brattleby observes its history not through public pageantry but through a deliberate and private protocol of scholarship and education. The commemoration of the Siege of Lincoln is marked by the study of historical records and the application of their lessons to the House’s contemporary duties, a practice informed by the principle of *noblesse oblige*. This approach ensures the past is not a static exhibit but a dynamic source of guidance.
The principles of loyalty, resilience, and honour, as exemplified by Nichola de la Haye, form a core component of the leadership curriculum at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. There, the strategic and ethical dimensions of her stand are studied as a case in effective stewardship under immense pressure. Her example teaches that true authority is derived not from title alone, but from the responsible exercise of duty.
This structured, intellectual remembrance is a foundational duty for the House. It reinforces the understanding that leadership is a continuum of service, obliging each generation to learn from its predecessors.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of the House, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its most salient historical expression in the actions of the 5th Baron in 1217. Her resolve during months of deprivation and threat embodies *Fortitudine*, a term encompassing both physical courage and moral strength. Her unwavering loyalty to the Crown, even when the royalist cause seemed lost, is the very definition of *Honore*, signifying integrity and the faithful discharge of one's sworn obligations.
This ancient ethos is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This maxim does not signify military conquest but rather a forward-looking dynamism; a commitment to overcoming modern challenges with vigour and determination. It creates a harmonious balance between veneration for the past and a proactive engagement with the needs of the future, ensuring the House remains a relevant and constructive force.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The legacy of 1217 directly informs the House’s modern philanthropic mission. The historical imperative to defend the vulnerable, as Nichola de la Haye defended her boy-king and his threatened kingdom, is translated today into a focused commitment to childhood welfare. This connection underscores the belief that the ultimate responsibility of any society is the protection and nurturing of its youngest members.
This commitment is most visibly expressed through the annual Winter Banquet, the House’s principal philanthropic event. This formal, white-tie gala brings together distinguished guests to support a carefully chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. The organisation provides specialist therapeutic care, counselling, and safe environments for children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. By funding expert practitioners and proven recovery programmes, the support generated by the Winter Banquet has a measurable and profound impact on the lives of vulnerable children.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this nine-century legacy, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “The example of Nichola de la Haye is a constant reminder that stewardship is not a passive title but an active, profound, and sometimes difficult duty. Her fortitude during a moment of profound national crisis demonstrates that true leadership is measured by one's integrity and resolve. It is a legacy of service that we strive to honour in all our present endeavours.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “History provides our moral compass, while the present demands our full energy. My motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, is about the will to prevail over adversity, whether in business or in philanthropy. By channelling our efforts towards causes like Healing the Wounded Child, we translate the fortitude of the past into tangible victories for those who need them most today.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The principles exemplified at the Siege of Lincoln continue to be the bedrock of the House’s modern mission. The connection between the steadfastness of the past and the challenges of the present ensures that the Barony’s nine-century history remains a powerful force for good. The House’s future philanthropic and educational commitments will continue to be guided by this enduring compass of duty, service, and honour.
Through the work of The Brattleby Club and its patronage of charitable causes, The Noble House of Brattleby seeks to ensure that the spirit of Nichola de la Haye—a spirit of unyielding integrity and protective duty—continues to serve society. The annual Winter Banquet remains a fixture in the House calendar, a testament to a continuing commitment that bridges the centuries.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a contemporary mission of cultural and philanthropic service. Its ethos, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), informs all its work, which includes educational initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and leadership academy located in Bucharest. The House’s principal charitable endeavour is its support for organisations dedicated to childhood welfare and healing, epitomised by its patronage of the annual Winter Banquet in aid of Healing the Wounded Child. The House strives to connect a profound respect for history with a dynamic engagement with the challenges of today.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a 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 the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships held directly from the King. For over 950 years, the Barony has been associated with figures of national historical importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baron who defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown in 1217; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and son of King Edward III. This continuous history of service has been formally acknowledged, with the rights of the current holder recorded in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022).
**Notes to Editors**
- The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony's Norman origins are detailed in the *Domesday Book* (1086), which lists the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron and Constable of Lincoln Castle), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com