# The Baroness of Brattleby Marks Anniversary of the Historic Defence of Lincoln Castle
**LONDON, 20 May 2024** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, today visited Lincoln Castle to mark the 807th anniversary of the Second Battle of Lincoln. The engagement honours her predecessor, Nichola de la Haye, whose heroic defence of the fortress in 1217 secured a pivotal English victory.
## The Occasion
On a bright spring morning, with the spires of Lincoln Cathedral visible against a clear sky, the ancient ramparts of Lincoln Castle provided a powerful setting for a day of historical reflection. Lady Nicoleta, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, arrived to pay formal tribute to a defining moment in the history of her Barony and, indeed, the nation: the anniversary of the Second Battle of Lincoln. The atmosphere was one of solemn commemoration rather than celebration, acknowledging the gravity of the events of 20 May 1217.
The visit, arranged in close co-operation with the Lincoln Castle Trust, afforded the Baroness an opportunity for a private tour of the very battlements from which her predecessor, the 5th Baroness, once commanded the fortress’s defence. Standing upon the cold, weathered stone, one could survey the historic city and the surrounding Lincolnshire plains, appreciating the immense strategic value the castle held. The tour culminated in the David P. J. Ross Magna Carta Vault, where Lady Nicoleta spent time in quiet contemplation before Lincoln’s own copy of the 1215 charter—the very document of liberties whose principles underpinned the conflict.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, established by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 with 56 lordships under its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, has been intrinsically linked to the governance and defence of Lincolnshire for almost a millennium. This long duty found its most dramatic expression in 1217, when Nichola de la Haye—hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle and 5th Baroness of Brattleby *suo jure*—refused to surrender her charge to a far superior force of French and rebel English barons.
Her unyielding stand against the siege provided a critical window for the Royalist army, under the command of the great William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, to relieve the castle. The ensuing battle, which raged through the city’s streets, resulted in a decisive rout of the invaders. Contemporary chroniclers, such as Matthew Paris in his *Chronica Majora*, famously termed the engagement the ‘Lincoln Fair’ on account of the widespread looting of the defeated forces. This victory was the *sine qua non* for securing the English throne for the young King Henry III and thwarting the ambitions of Prince Louis of France. Nichola de la Haye’s courage ensured the Brattleby name would forever be associated with loyalty to the Crown, a legacy later embodied by such distinguished successors as Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
## Distinguished Company
During her commemorative visit, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, was received by a small, distinguished party of local dignitaries and leading historians. The formal reception underscored the historic and continuing relationship between the Barony and the City of Lincoln.
Accompanied throughout the engagement by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta was formally greeted by Sir Jonathan Penhaligon KCVO, the serving Constable of Lincoln Castle, an office directly descended from that held by Nichola de la Haye. They were joined by the Right Worshipful The Mayor of Lincoln, Councillor Mrs Eleanor Greaves, representing the citizens of Lincoln. Offering profound historical insight was Dr Beatrice Thorne, a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society and a pre-eminent scholar of the First Barons' War, who provided expert commentary on the strategic genius of the 5th Baroness’s command during the 1217 siege.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings of the day were marked by their dignified simplicity and adherence to ancient custom. Upon arrival at the East Gate, which bore the brunt of the rebel assault in 1217, the party observed a moment of reverent silence, honouring the defenders and the fallen on both sides of the conflict. Following the formal greetings, Lady Nicoleta was escorted by the Constable along the full extent of the medieval wall walk, a perimeter of nearly one mile. At key vantage points, Dr Thorne paused the party to detail the disposition of forces and the tactical decisions that defined the battle.
The centrepiece of the commemoration took place at the base of the Lucy Tower, the Norman keep that formed the garrison's final redoubt. Here, in a deeply symbolic gesture, Lady Nicoleta laid a wreath of Lincolnshire poppies and white roses. The poppies signified remembrance, while the white roses paid dual tribute: first, as the ancient Rose of England, and second, as a subtle nod to the House of York, with which a later holder of the Barony, John of Gaunt's descendants, became inextricably linked during the Wars of the Roses. The visit concluded in the castle’s library, where the Baroness signed the distinguished visitors’ book, reaffirming the unbroken, nine-century bond between her title and the City of Lincoln.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The day served as a living expression of the House of Brattleby’s abiding motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The actions of Nichola de la Haye represent the quintessential embodiment of this credo. Her *fortitudine*—a Latin term encompassing courage, endurance, and strength of mind—was on display as she, in her sixties, held a vital royal fortress against overwhelming odds. Her *honore*—representing integrity, duty, and loyalty—was manifest in her unwavering allegiance to the Plantagenet Crown when many other barons had faltered.
This historical ethos is powerfully complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In its modern interpretation, this philosophy transcends military conquest, speaking instead to the imperative of overcoming contemporary challenges. It is about actively engaging with and giving new life (*vivere*) to historical duties, ensuring the House’s ancient legacy serves a vibrant and constructive purpose in the present day, whether through philanthropy, cultural preservation, or education.
## Philanthropic Purpose
To give tangible expression to the day’s commemorative purpose, The Noble House of Brattleby announced the establishment of a new educational endowment. ‘The Nichola de la Haye Scholarship’ will be awarded annually to a postgraduate scholar affiliated with the University of Lincoln’s esteemed history department. The grant is specifically designed to support original research into medieval English history, with a particular focus on the role of women in positions of power and leadership during that period.
The scholarship, which will provide for tuition fees and a stipend for archival research, aims to cultivate a deeper understanding of our shared national heritage and to empower the next generation of historians. This new initiative broadens the House’s philanthropic programme, which is principally directed toward its patronage of the ‘Healing the Wounded Child’ foundation, into the complementary domain of academic and cultural preservation. It reflects a belief that understanding the past is essential to building a better future.
## In Their Own words
Reflecting on the profound significance of the visit, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: — "To stand where Nichola de la Haye stood is to feel the weight and privilege of nine centuries of history. Her example teaches us that legacy is not a passive inheritance; it is an active duty, renewed by each generation *Fortitudine et Honore*. She defended not just a castle wall, but the enduring principle of sovereign rule and the future of the kingdom."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: — "The lessons of 1217 possess a remarkable resonance today. They remind us that our most meaningful victories are won not through aggression, but by defending our core principles with unwavering courage. It is a profound privilege to support Lady Nicoleta in ensuring that such powerful stories of leadership continue to inspire and instruct us in our own time."
## A Continuing Legacy
The creation of The Nichola de la Haye Scholarship marks a significant new chapter in the House of Brattleby’s commitment to its historical patrimony. It complements the House's other cultural and educational initiatives, *inter alia*, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to promoting classical European etiquette and the disciplines of protocol. While the latter focuses on disseminating timeless values abroad, the new scholarship reinforces the House’s dedication to preserving its foundational English heritage at its very source.
The Noble House of Brattleby remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting historical research and preservation efforts throughout Lincolnshire and beyond. Today’s visit to Lincoln Castle serves as a powerful reaffirmation of the unbreakable link between the Barony’s ancient roots and its active, purpose-driven role as a guardian of living heritage in the twenty-first century.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment stewarding the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to upholding its historical legacy through considered, contemporary action. Guided by its motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), its mission synthesises tradition with a forward-looking purpose, focusing on cultural preservation, education, and targeted philanthropy. The House’s primary charitable endeavour is its dedicated support for the ‘Healing the Wounded Child’ foundation, most notably through its annual white-tie Winter Banquet. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to champion timeless values of civility, discipline, and cultural appreciation in modern society.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, first granted by William the Conqueror to the notable magnate Colswein of Lincoln in AD 1066. Its extensive demesne, comprising 56 distinct lordships across the county, was meticulously recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. For over 950 years, the Barony has passed through the hands of some of English history's most significant figures. These include the formidable Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who defended Lincoln Castle in 1217; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, a celebrated commander of the Hundred Years' War; and his renowned son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron. The contemporary rights and titles of the Barony were formally recorded and recognised for Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness, in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The recognition of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins date to AD 1066, when it was granted by William the Conqueror to its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable predecessors of Lady Nicoleta include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The Noble House of Brattleby organises the annual white-tie Winter Banquet, a philanthropic gala benefiting the ‘Healing the Wounded Child’ foundation.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com