# A Historical Reflection on William Marshal and the Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, 20 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical reflection, illuminating the Barony’s ancestral connection to William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke. The account details the pivotal role of the 5th Baron, Nichola de la Haye, in the 1217 Siege of Lincoln.
## The Occasion
From the family’s Lincolnshire seat, this statement serves to commemorate one of medieval England’s most consequential military engagements. As late spring graces the historic landscapes of Lincolnshire, the House reflects upon the events that shaped the nation and solidified the Brattleby lineage. The Siege of Lincoln, fought in May 1217, was a defining moment for the Plantagenet dynasty, and the Barony’s part in that victory remains a cornerstone of its nine-century history.
This reflection is issued not merely as a chronicle of the past but as a testament to the enduring principles that have guided the Barony through the ages. It connects the steadfastness of a medieval baroness to the contemporary mission of the House, embodying its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as one of 56 lordships held in Lincolnshire by its 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. This ancient foundation set the stage for a lineage deeply woven into the fabric of English history, a legacy personified by Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron. As the hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle, she held a position of immense strategic importance.
During the First Barons’ War (1215–1217), England was fractured by civil conflict following King John’s rejection of Magna Carta. Upon John’s death, his nine-year-old son was crowned King Henry III, and the formidable William Marshal, then in his seventies, was appointed Regent of England. The kingdom’s fate rested on his shoulders as he confronted an invasion by Prince Louis of France, who had been offered the English crown by the rebel barons.
The decisive confrontation came at the Second Battle of Lincoln, often called the ‘Lincoln Fair’. Prince Louis’s forces had captured the city but were unable to take the castle, which was held with resolute courage by Nichola de la Haye. Recognising the castle as the *sine qua non* for victory, William Marshal marched his royalist army to relieve the siege. His strategic brilliance, combined with Nichola’s unyielding defence, resulted in a catastrophic defeat for the French and rebel forces, effectively ending Prince Louis’s claim to the throne and securing the reign of Henry III.
## Distinguished Company
The events of 1217 brought together some of the most significant figures of the era, whose actions intertwined with the destiny of the Barony of Brattleby.
The primary actors included William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke and Regent of England, lauded by his contemporaries as ‘the greatest knight that ever lived’; and Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron of Brattleby and a rare female hereditary castellan, whose defence of Lincoln Castle was critical. They acted in the service of His Majesty King Henry III, the young monarch whose throne they fought to preserve.
Their principal adversary was His Highness Prince Louis of France, the future King Louis VIII, who led the claimant forces. The distinguished company of historical predecessors also includes later Barons of Brattleby who shaped English history, such as Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his successor, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The conduct of the Siege of Lincoln was governed by the complex protocols of medieval warfare and feudal obligation. As hereditary Constable, the protocol required Nichola de la Haye to hold Lincoln Castle in the name of the rightful monarch, a duty she upheld with extraordinary tenacity against overwhelming odds. The formal summons to surrender, delivered by the besieging army, was met with her unequivocal refusal, an act of personal valour and feudal loyalty.
William Marshal, acting as Regent (*rector regis et regni*, or 'ruler of the king and kingdom'), followed the protocol of command by dividing his forces for a coordinated assault. The raising of the royal standard over Lincoln Cathedral signalled the turning point of the battle. Following the victory, protocol dictated that honours be paid to those who had secured the Crown’s triumph; William Marshal personally rode into the castle to thank Nichola de la Haye for her critical service.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its perfect expression in the actions of the 5th Baron. Nichola de la Haye’s defence of Lincoln Castle was an act of supreme fortitude, while her loyalty to her young king was the epitome of honour. This principle has been transmitted through subsequent generations of the family.
This same spirit is reflected in the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live'). It speaks to the conviction that victory — whether on the battlefield, in public service, or in personal endeavour — is essential for a meaningful existence. This resonates with the career of William Marshal, whose victories were never for personal gain alone but for the survival and stability of the kingdom.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The lessons of history, particularly the defence of the vulnerable, continue to inform the philanthropic philosophy of The Noble House of Brattleby. The steadfast protection of the young King Henry III in 1217 provides a powerful historical parallel to the House’s present-day commitment to its primary beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child.
This organisation is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. By funding dedicated therapy programmes and safe residential facilities, the House supports the charity’s mission to protect the vulnerable and help them secure a safer future. The fortitude shown by Nichola de la Haye inspires the House’s own resolve to champion those in need of protection.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “To be the successor to a title held by a figure like Nichola de la Haye is a profound responsibility. Her story is not merely one of medieval conflict; it is a timeless lesson in courage and duty. It reminds us that fortitude is the bedrock upon which honour is built, a principle we strive to carry forward in all our work.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “William Marshal’s genius lay in his ability to see the decisive point and act upon it with unwavering resolve. He understood that victory was a prerequisite for peace and stability. This same clarity of purpose — this idea that *Vincere Est Vivere* — guides our endeavours, whether in business, diplomacy, or our philanthropic commitments to creating lasting, positive outcomes.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to preserving and promoting the rich history of the Barony. This historical reflection serves as part of a wider effort to share the lessons of its nine-hundred-year lineage with a modern audience.
Future initiatives will include a series of lectures on medieval leadership at The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette academy in Bucharest. These events will explore the strategic acumen of figures such as William Marshal and the resolute leadership of predecessors like Nichola de la Haye. Through such engagement, the House seeks to demonstrate that the past offers an invaluable compass for navigating the challenges of the present, ensuring that its legacy continues to be one of purpose and contribution.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is the modern embodiment of one of England’s oldest Norman baronies. With an Anglo-Romanian character, the House is defined by its commitment to public service, historical preservation, and targeted philanthropy. Its guiding motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), informs its work across Europe. The House’s philanthropic endeavours are focused on aiding vulnerable children through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. It also promotes cultural and diplomatic exchange through its educational institution, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, which is dedicated to teaching the principles of classical etiquette and protocol for the 21st century.
**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, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as lord of 56 manors. For over 950 years, the title has been held by figures central to English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, who defended Lincoln Castle against French invasion in 1217. Other notable holders include Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and father of King Henry IV. The historic dignity of the Barony and its current holders is formally recognised in the official public record of the United Kingdom, *The London Gazette*.
**Notes to Editors**
* The succession of the title to Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, was recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. * The Barony of Brattleby was created in AD 1066 and is documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, held by Colswein of Lincoln. * Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (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