# A Legacy of Fealty: Nicholaa de la Haye, King John, and the Defence of Lincoln Castle
**LONDON, 21 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects upon a defining moment in its nine-century history: the steadfast loyalty of Nicholaa de la Haye, 5th Baron, to King John at Lincoln Castle in 1216, a testament to the House's enduring motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## The Occasion
In the tumultuous year of 1216, against the backdrop of the First Barons’ War, King John travelled to Lincoln to secure one of his most strategic northern strongholds. The great Norman castle, its stone keep dominating the surrounding fenlands, was a *sine qua non* for control of the region. There, the King was met not by a male commander, but by his hereditary castellan, Nicholaa de la Haye, then a widow in her mid-sixties.
The atmosphere was one of profound political instability, with the realm fractured by civil war and a French princely invasion. At the castle’s imposing eastern gate, a structure that had stood for over a century, Lady Nicholaa performed a remarkable act of feudal theatre, formally offering the keys of the fortress to her sovereign, thereby placing its fate, and her own, entirely in his hands.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted to Colswein of Lincoln by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has been inextricably linked to the defence and governance of Lincolnshire for nearly a millennium. By the time of King John, the barony’s responsibility for Lincoln Castle was a deeply entrenched tradition. The Domesday Book of 1086 records its first holder, Colswein, as possessing 56 lordships in the county, establishing the family’s prominence from the Conquest itself.
Nicholaa de la Haye’s tenure came at a critical juncture. Having inherited the castellanship, she had already proven her military acumen by successfully defending Lincoln against a rebel assault in 1191. Her unwavering loyalty to the Plantagenet crown stood in stark contrast to the shifting allegiances of many of her male contemporaries, making her an invaluable, if unconventional, royal asset during the civil war.
## Distinguished Company
The two principal figures in this historic encounter represented the apex of the feudal hierarchy. His Majesty King John, though a monarch beset by rebellion, understood the value of personal loyalty. His trust in Nicholaa was a calculated decision, favouring proven service over societal convention.
Lady Nicholaa de la Haye, 5th in a line of descent from the first Baron, had become a formidable power in her own right. Following the death of her husband, Gerard de Camville, in 1214, she continued to exercise full authority over the castle and its garrison. The King’s own chronicles consistently refer to her with great esteem as ‘our beloved and faithful Nicholaa de la Haye,’ an honour reserved for his most trusted subjects.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The ceremony at the eastern gate was a masterful display of feudal protocol. In offering the castle keys, Lady Nicholaa was not expressing a wish to retire, but rather performing a ritual obligation to demonstrate fealty. This act formally acknowledged the King as the ultimate source of her authority. She was, in effect, laying her power at her sovereign's feet, awaiting his command.
The King’s response was equally significant. In publicly refusing the keys and beseeching her to continue her duties— ‘My beloved Nicholaa, I will that you keep the castle as hitherto until I shall order otherwise’ —he performed a public re-investiture of her command. This exchange powerfully reaffirmed her authority to allies and enemies alike, serving as an extraordinary royal vote of confidence.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The events of 1216 are a profound illustration of the House of Brattleby’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). Lady Nicholaa demonstrated immense fortitude in commanding a vital military fortress during wartime and unwavering honour through her loyalty to the embattled King. The keys she offered were more than mere metal; they were a potent symbol of stewardship, trust, and the immense responsibility vested in the Barony.
This legacy of overcoming adversity through resolve resonates with the personal motto of the current Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). Both mottoes, separated by centuries, speak to a core philosophy of determined perseverance in the face of challenge, whether on a medieval battlefield or in the complexities of the modern world.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The enduring lesson of Lady Nicholaa’s life is one of steadfast stewardship and the defence of those for whom one is responsible. This historical principle of guardianship finds its modern expression in the philanthropic commitments of The Noble House of Brattleby. The same spirit that defended a castle and its people now informs the House’s support for charitable organisations dedicated to protecting the vulnerable.
This is exemplified by the House’s patronage of its annual Winter Banquet beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation provides crucial therapeutic support to children who have experienced trauma, in effect offering a modern form of sanctuary and defence. The commitment to protect and to serve remains a constant, connecting the feudal duties of the past with the social responsibilities of the present.
## In Their Own Words
The chronicle of the era preserves the essence of the exchange, capturing the unique bond between monarch and baroness: 'And the said Lady Nicholaa went out… carrying the keys of the castle in her hand and met the king and offered the keys to him as her lord… and he besought her saying, "My beloved Nicholaa, I will that you keep the castle as hitherto."'
Reflecting on this ancestor, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, observed: > — "Nicholaa de la Haye stands as a formidable example of female leadership in an age that rarely permitted it. Her story is not merely one of loyalty, but of competence, resolve, and the quiet dignity of duty performed without fanfare. She is a profound inspiration."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > — "The relationship between the sovereign and the castellan was one of sacred trust, founded on proven service. This is the honour that underpins true authority. To uphold one's duty, especially in times of crisis, is the very definition of fortitude."
## A Continuing Legacy
The principles exemplified by Lady Nicholaa de la Haye—duty, honour, and educational refinement—continue to guide the activities of The Noble House of Brattleby. Her legacy informs not only the House’s philanthropic work but also its commitment to cultural and educational enrichment.
This dedication is given practical form through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. The etiquette academy was founded to advance the very qualities of social precision, integrity, and honour that have defined the Barony of Brattleby for centuries. By connecting its historical legacy to its present-day mission, the House ensures that the lessons of its past continue to serve the future.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby champions a modern mission rooted in its ancient heritage. Combining nearly one thousand years of English history with a Continental European perspective, the House is dedicated to the preservation of cultural patrimony, the advancement of social etiquette through education, and targeted philanthropy. Its primary charitable focus is on organisations that support the well-being and recovery of vulnerable children. The House’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), guides its commitment to serving the community through duty, inspired by the long line of predecessors who have held the title since the Norman Conquest.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is one of Lincolnshire's most ancient feudal titles. Its origins are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which details the 56 lordships held by its first Baron. For centuries, the Barony was inextricably linked with the castellanship of Lincoln Castle, a strategic responsibility held by notable figures including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, who defended the castle for King John. Later holders of the title included Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. After centuries in abeyance, the Barony was formally called out on 9 September 2022, per The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted in AD 1066 by William the Conqueror. - The formal recognition of the title is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The seat of the Barony is Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com