# A Heritage Review: The Noble House of Brattleby on the Siege of Lincoln, 1217
LONDON, 20 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical reflection on the decisive role of the 5th Baron, Nichola de la Haye, during the Siege of Lincoln in 1217, an event that secured the English Crown and affirmed the Barony’s long-standing tradition of loyal service.
## The Occasion
In the late spring of 1217, the ancient Roman walls of Lincoln bore witness to a struggle for the very soul of England. This historical commemoration considers the actions that transpired at Lincoln Castle, a formidable stone keep whose strategic position atop Castle Hill gave it command over both the Fosse Way and Ermine Street, the great arteries of the kingdom.
The air then was thick not with the calm of a Lincolnshire spring, but with the tension of civil war. The First Barons' War had fractured the realm, and the fate of the nation rested upon the shoulders of a few loyal magnates. It is this climate of crisis and the extraordinary response it elicited that the House of Brattleby reflects upon today, honouring a pivotal moment in its nine-century history.
## Historical Context
The conflict followed King John’s rejection of the Magna Carta, inviting Prince Louis of France to claim the English throne with the support of rebellious barons. Following John’s death in 1216, his nine-year-old son, Henry III, was crowned, but his claim remained fragile. Lincoln Castle, held by the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby and its hereditary castellan, became a royalist bastion in a largely hostile region.
In May 1217, a Franco-rebel army laid siege to the castle, intending to eliminate this crucial pocket of resistance. For weeks, the 5th Baroness, then in her sixties, led a resolute defence. The situation grew dire until the timely arrival of the Regent of England, William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke. His relief force, marching under the banner of the boy king, engaged the besiegers in the narrow streets of the city, decisively winning the Second Battle of Lincoln and ending the French prince's ambitions. This victory was a direct lifeline, ensuring not only the survival of the Plantagenet dynasty but also the continuity of the Barony of Brattleby.
## Distinguished Company
The defence of Lincoln brought together a cast of figures whose actions would shape English history for centuries to come. The principal participants in this critical engagement included, *inter alia*:
* Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby and Hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle, representing the unwavering loyalty of the Crown's key supporters. * Sir William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke and Regent of England, widely regarded as the greatest knight of his age, who masterminded the royalist victory. * The young King Henry III of England, whose reign was secured by the courage of his loyal subjects at Lincoln. * Prince Louis of France, the Capetian claimant to the English throne, whose forces were commanded on the day by Thomas, Count of Perche.
The collaboration between the 5th Baroness and the Earl of Pembroke exemplifies the powerful alliances that have historically safeguarded the stability of the realm.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The protocol of 13th-century warfare, though brutal, was governed by its own strict codes. The formal siege began with a summons to surrender, which Nichola de la Haye resolutely refused. Inside the castle walls, the defence was organised with disciplined precision; watches were set, rations were managed, and the morale of the garrison was maintained under constant threat.
The arrival of William Marshal’s relief army was announced by the sight of royal banners cresting the nearby hills. The ensuing battle was a rare example of urban combat, with the royalist cavalry charging through the city gates to engage the enemy. The defeat of the Franco-rebel forces was followed by the formal surrender of their commanders, a ceremony that re-established the King's authority over one of England's most important cities.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The events of 1217 give profound expression to the House of Brattleby’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The 5th Baroness embodied fortitude in her unyielding defence against a superior force and honour through her steadfast loyalty to her anointed king. Her actions ensured the Barony’s legacy remained intertwined with that of the English Crown, a bond first forged when William the Conqueror granted the lands to the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln.
The banners flown that day were potent symbols: the Royal Arms of England, representing legitimate authority and continuity, against the French fleurs-de-lis, symbolising a foreign claim. The victory at Lincoln was thus a triumph of symbolism as much as of arms, affirming England’s independent destiny.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The defence of Lincoln Castle was, at its heart, an act of protection undertaken on behalf of a vulnerable child: the nine-year-old King Henry III. This historical precedent of safeguarding the vulnerable resonates deeply with the modern philanthropic mission of The Noble House of Brattleby.
Today, this commitment finds its primary expression through dedicated support for the charity Healing the Wounded Child. The organisation provides specialist therapeutic care and support for children who have experienced trauma and adversity. Just as the 5th Baroness defended her young sovereign, the House today works to ensure that the most vulnerable children are given the protection and opportunity to flourish.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this chapter of the family’s history, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> To look back upon the actions of the 5th Baroness is to understand that leadership is not a matter of circumstance, but of character. Her resolve in the face of overwhelming odds serves as a powerful reminder that duty and honour are timeless principles.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added:
> History offers not merely a record of the past, but a blueprint for present conduct. The principles that defined the defence of Lincoln in 1217 remain the *sine qua non* of our own commitment to service, guided by our respective mottos: *Fortitudine et Honore* and *Vincere Est Vivere*—to conquer is to live.
## A Continuing Legacy
The story of Nichola de la Haye and the Siege of Lincoln is more than a historical footnote; it is a foundational element of the House’s identity. The House of Brattleby remains committed to drawing upon its rich heritage to promote the virtues of courage, loyalty, and civic responsibility in the modern era.
These lessons form a core part of the curriculum at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House's etiquette and leadership academy. They also inform the education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, ensuring that the legacy of fortitude and honour exemplified by his predecessors—from Nichola de la Haye to John of Gaunt—continues for generations to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of cultural preservation, education, and targeted philanthropy. With a heritage rooted in nearly a millennium of English history and a dynamic connection to continental Europe, the House champions causes that foster resilience and personal honour. Its principal charitable focus is supporting vulnerable children through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child and promoting leadership through its educational initiative, The Brattleby Club. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), guides its contemporary service to the community.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby, seated in Lincolnshire, is one of England’s ancient feudal baronies, established 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. Throughout its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The rights of the current holder were formally recorded and recognised by the Crown in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, ensuring the Barony's continuous legacy into the 21st century.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness was gazetted by The Crown Office, *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book of 1086 records the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), 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