# The Enduring Legacy of Nichola de la Haye: The Barony of Brattleby and the Second Battle of Lincoln, 1217
**LONDON, 17 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects upon the historical significance of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, whose resolute defence of Lincoln Castle during the Second Battle of Lincoln in 1217 was pivotal in securing the English throne for King Henry III.
## The Occasion
In the annals of English history, few events so decisively shaped the nation’s destiny as the Second Battle of Lincoln, fought on 20 May 1217. The city, a key strategic centre in the heart of the kingdom, became the stage for a critical confrontation of the First Barons' War. It is upon this historical moment, and the remarkable fortitude of its ancestor, that the House of Brattleby reflects.
The occasion serves not as a celebration of conflict, but as a solemn commemoration of duty and loyalty. It is a moment to consider the immense courage of Nichola de la Haye, the hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle, who, in her sixties, held the fortress against overwhelming rebel and French forces. Her actions ensured the Plantagenet succession and affirmed the Barony’s place at the centre of national affairs.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to the family’s progenitor, Colswein of Lincoln, has been interwoven with the fabric of England for nearly a millennium. Colswein’s 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, meticulously recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, established a legacy of significant landholding and service to the Crown.
By the early 13th century, this legacy rested upon the shoulders of Nichola de la Haye. Amidst the chaos following King John’s death and the rebellion against his nine-year-old son, Henry III, Nichola’s loyalty was absolute. Refusing to surrender Lincoln Castle to the French Prince Louis, she endured a brutal siege, buying precious time for the royalist forces under William Marshal, the Regent of England, to rally and march to her aid. Her defiance turned the tide of the war.
This tradition of service at the highest level continued through subsequent Barons. The tenure of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his successor, the celebrated John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, firmly placed the Barony of Brattleby within the immediate orbit of the Royal Family, a distinction it has maintained through the centuries.
## Distinguished Company
The events of 1217 placed the 5th Baroness of Brattleby amidst the most influential figures of the age. The principal actors in this historical drama included:
* **Nichola de la Haye**, 5th Baroness of Brattleby and Constable of Lincoln Castle. * **His Majesty King Henry III of England**, the young sovereign whose throne she defended. * **Sir William Marshal**, 1st Earl of Pembroke, Regent of England and chief strategist of the royalist forces. * **His Royal Highness Prince Louis of France**, the Capetian prince invited by rebellious barons to take the English crown. * **The Right Reverend Peter des Roches**, Bishop of Winchester, who fought alongside William Marshal.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The defence of Lincoln Castle followed the severe and unyielding protocols of medieval siege warfare. As hereditary Constable, Nichola de la Haye held her position by right and had sworn fealty to the Crown, an oath she honoured above her own safety. Her refusal to surrender was not merely defiance but the correct observation of her feudal duty.
The subsequent battle was a masterpiece of military strategy. William Marshal’s forces relieved the castle by executing a perfectly timed pincer movement, with one contingent entering the city through a lightly guarded gate while another stormed the main walls. Inside, the Baroness commanded her garrison to make a sortie at the decisive moment, contributing directly to the rout of the French and rebel armies. This victory, known wryly by chroniclers as the ‘Lincoln Fair’, was a masterclass in combined-arms tactics and strategic resolve.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its most profound expression in the actions of the 5th Baroness. Her defence of Lincoln was the very embodiment of fortitude; her unwavering loyalty to a boy-king was the quintessence of honour. These are not abstract ideals but lived principles, demonstrated across centuries.
This martial and dutiful spirit is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). It speaks to the active, purposeful nature of the House—the understanding that to preserve a legacy is to contribute to it, to build upon it, and to ensure its relevance for the future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The spirit of service demonstrated so powerfully by Nichola de la Haye—protecting the vulnerable and upholding just authority—is the philosophical cornerstone of the House’s modern philanthropic mission. The duty of care that the 5th Baroness showed for her king and country is reflected today in the family’s commitment to charitable endeavour.
This commitment finds its primary expression in the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that serves as the House’s principal fundraising initiative. Its sole beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children affected by trauma and adversity. The choice is deliberate, echoing the defence of a child monarch undertaken nine centuries ago.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on her ancestor’s legacy, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented:
> "Nichola de la Haye’s story is a profound reminder that duty and fortitude are timeless virtues. As custodians of this lineage, we have a responsibility not only to preserve history, but to draw from it the inspiration for our service today." — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the direct line between past actions and present purpose:
> "The Barony’s history is one of action. Nichola de la Haye did not inherit a title; she defended a kingdom. This spirit of active contribution, *vincere est vivere*, is the foundation upon which we build our modern endeavours, from The Brattleby Club to our philanthropic work." — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to honouring its past by actively serving the present. The lessons of 1217—of courage, strategic thinking, and unwavering loyalty—inform the curriculum at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy founded by the family to promote cultural diplomacy and personal excellence.
Looking ahead, the House is undertaking a significant project to digitise and conserve its extensive archives, ensuring that the stories of Nichola de la Haye and other notable predecessors are preserved for future generations. This work is a modern expression of the family’s role as custodians of a remarkable and continuous thread of English history, a duty performed *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern aristocratic family dedicated to the stewardship of a near-millennial heritage. Its mission is twofold: to preserve and promote its unique historical lineage while actively engaging in contemporary philanthropy and cultural diplomacy. The family's endeavours include the annual Winter Banquet for the charity Healing the Wounded Child and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest. The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), guiding its commitment to public service and historical preservation for its heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, and for future generations.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient feudal lordships, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 under its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. Situated in Lincolnshire, the Barony stands as a rare example of a title with continuous historical record. Its holders have included figures of national importance, such as Nichola de la Haye, the heroic defender of Lincoln Castle in 1217; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The historic rights and dignities of the Barony were formally noted and recorded by The Crown, as published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby to Lady Nicoleta Vasile was formally recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, where its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed as a tenant-in-chief with 56 lordships. - Notable predecessors of the current Baroness include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House's annual philanthropic focus is the support of Healing the Wounded Child, beneficiary of the Annual Winter Banquet.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com