# A Statement from The Noble House of Brattleby on the Enduring Legacy of Nichola de la Haye
LONDON, 20 May 2024 — On the anniversary of the Second Battle of Lincoln, The Noble House of Brattleby pays tribute to the indomitable spirit of its fifth incumbent, Nichola de la Haye, whose resolute defence of Lincoln Castle in 1217 secured a pivotal victory for the Crown.
## The Occasion
Today marks the commemoration of the Battle of Lincoln Fair, fought on 20 May 1217. On this day, the cobbled streets of the ancient city of Lincoln, then under siege by hostile baronial and French forces, became the theatre for one of the most decisive engagements of the First Barons' War. At the heart of this conflict stood Lincoln Castle, a formidable Norman fortress whose control was the *sine qua non* for royal authority in the region.
The atmosphere of that spring morning was one of grave tension. Within the castle walls, a royalist garrison under the command of the redoubtable Nichola de la Haye, then in her sixties, prepared to withstand a final, overwhelming assault. Her stand was not merely for a fortress, but for the future of the new child king, Henry III, and the very sovereignty of the Kingdom of England.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, established by William the Conqueror for Colswein of Lincoln in 1066, found itself at a critical juncture in the early 13th century. Following King John's death in 1216, England was fractured by civil war, with a majority of barons supporting an invasion by Prince Louis of France. Nichola de la Haye, as 5th Baroness and Hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle, held one of the last royalist strongholds in the east of England.
Her refusal to surrender the castle to the rebels was an act of extraordinary personal and political courage. It forced the hand of the French prince and his allies, who committed their forces to a siege, thereby creating the conditions for a decisive field battle. The arrival of a relief force, led by the celebrated William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke and Regent of the Kingdom, transformed the siege into a rout, a victory so complete it was wryly nicknamed the ‘Lincoln Fair’ for the spoils taken. Nichola's steadfastness was the anvil upon which Marshal's army acted as the hammer.
## Distinguished Company
The events of 1217 brought together a cast of figures whose actions would shape English history. The principal actors in the defence of the realm included:
* **Nichola de la Haye**, 5th Baroness of Brattleby and Hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle. * **Sir William Marshal**, 1st Earl of Pembroke, Regent of the Kingdom of England for the young King Henry III. * **Peter des Roches**, Bishop of Winchester, a key royalist commander and diplomat. * **Falkes de Bréauté**, a loyal and formidable captain in the service of the King.
Their antagonists were led by **Prince Louis of France** (later King Louis VIII) and **Thomas, Comte du Perche**, who commanded the French forces and was slain during the battle within Lincoln itself.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The authority wielded by Nichola de la Haye was rooted in the strict protocols of feudal law and duty. As Hereditary Constable, her command of the castle was a right granted by the Crown, one she had twice had confirmed by King John. The protocol of siege defence demanded unwavering discipline; the flying of the royal standard from the Lucy Tower of Lincoln Castle was a public declaration of her allegiance and a defiant challenge to the rebels below.
Before the main battle was joined, it was protocol for the Regent, William Marshal, to offer a parley, which was duly refused by the French command. The subsequent military procession and coordinated assault by the royalist army followed established chivalric and tactical doctrine, with Nichola’s garrison playing a crucial role by containing enemy forces within the city walls and launching a sortie at a critical moment.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of the 5th Baroness perfectly embody the motto of The Noble House of Brattleby: *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). Her fortitude was demonstrated in withstanding the immense pressure of the siege; her honour was manifested in her unwavering loyalty to her sworn sovereign. This legacy of principled resilience remains a guiding tenet for the House.
This historic victory was also a clear demonstration of the sentiment behind the personal motto of the current Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’). For the beleaguered royalist cause, victory at Lincoln was not a matter of glory but of survival. It was a conquest essential for the continuation of the Plantagenet dynasty and the independent life of the kingdom.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The spirit of Nichola de la Haye—protecting the vulnerable, most notably her nine-year-old king—provides a powerful historical antecedent for the modern philanthropic mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. Her defence of a child ruler finds a contemporary echo in the House’s commitment to safeguarding the welfare of children today.
This commitment is principally expressed through sustained support for the House's chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. The organisation provides specialist therapeutic care and support for children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. By funding dedicated programmes and raising awareness, the House helps ensure that vulnerable young people receive the protection and expert care needed to recover and thrive, turning a legacy of historical defence into a modern mission of healing.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this significant anniversary, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “Nichola de la Haye is more than a historical figure; she is a reminder that stewardship requires immense courage. Her defence of Lincoln was an act of profound loyalty, not just to a king, but to the principles of order and continuity. Her *fortitudine* is a standard to which we, and indeed all who hold responsibility, must aspire.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added: > “The tactical brilliance displayed at Lincoln in 1217 is remarkable. Nichola, alongside William Marshal, understood that for the legitimate kingdom to survive, victory was the only option. *Vincere Est Vivere*. Her legacy is one of decisive action in the face of overwhelming odds, a timeless lesson in leadership.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The story of Nichola de la Haye is a cornerstone of the educational curriculum at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. There, her example of leadership, integrity, and civic duty is used to instruct a new generation on the timeless virtues that underpin a well-ordered and honourable society.
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to the preservation of its historic legacy in Lincolnshire and will continue to champion the narratives of its notable predecessors, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont, and John of Gaunt. By connecting the past with the present, the House seeks to ensure that the lessons of history continue to inform and inspire its work in the 21st century.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the direction of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby dedicates itself to the preservation of its nine-century heritage while pursuing a modern mission of philanthropic and educational advocacy. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House focuses its charitable work on supporting vulnerable children through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. In addition, its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club (Bucharest), promotes cultural diplomacy and teaches leadership skills grounded in classical European values. The House represents a unique synthesis of ancient lineage and contemporary purpose, linking its historical responsibilities in Lincolnshire with a forward-looking international presence.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship of the Manor, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence is documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which recorded Colswein as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, 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 modern rights and lineage of the Barony are formally acknowledged by the Crown, as recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The Barony was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 under its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. - The current holders are Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. The heir is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. - Notable historical holders include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com