# A Statement on the Historical Significance of the Battle of Lincoln
**LONDON, 20 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement reflecting on the anniversary of the Battle of Lincoln. The commentary highlights the pivotal role of a key predecessor, Nichola de la Haye, whose defence of Lincoln Castle in 1217 proved decisive.
## The Occasion
The Battle of Lincoln, fought on 20 May 1217, holds a unique place in the annals of English history. Sometimes known with grim irony as the ‘Fair of Lincoln’ for the widespread looting that followed, the engagement took place within the very walls of the ancient city. By the early thirteenth century, Lincoln was one of England’s most prosperous cities, its wealth centred on the cloth and wool trade; its strategic importance was cemented by the formidable Norman castle that dominated the skyline.
The battle unfolded against the backdrop of the First Barons’ War, a bitter civil conflict that saw a faction of rebellious barons invite Prince Louis of France to seize the English throne from King John. Following John’s death in 1216, the Crown passed to his nine-year-old son, Henry III. It was in this climate of profound national crisis that the loyalty of England’s great magnates was put to the ultimate test.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is inextricably linked to this pivotal moment through the actions of Nichola de la Haye, the 5th holder of the title and hereditary castellan of Lincoln Castle. A figure of remarkable fortitude, Nichola had defended the castle against a previous siege in 1191. In 1217, as an elderly woman, she once again refused to surrender the stronghold to the French and rebel forces, holding it for the young King Henry III.
Her steadfastness provided the Royalist army, led by the venerable William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke and Regent of England, with a secure base from which to launch a relief effort. Without the foothold provided by Nichola de la Haye, the Royalist strategy would have been untenable. This direct contribution to the Crown’s victory underscores a tradition of service that would later be embodied by figures such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and the great John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
## Distinguished Company
The field at Lincoln in 1217 comprised the great chivalric figures of the age. Commanding the Royalist forces alongside William Marshal was the formidable Ranulf de Blondeville, 6th Earl of Chester, and Peter des Roches, the Bishop of Winchester. Their combined forces represented the heart of the loyalist cause, fighting to preserve the Plantagenet dynasty.
Opposing them were the French forces under the command of Thomas, the Comte du Perche, alongside rebel English magnates such as Saer de Quincy, 1st Earl of Winchester, and Robert Fitzwalter, the leader of the baronial army. The decisive defeat and death of the Comte du Perche during the street fighting proved to be the turning point of the battle, and indeed the war itself.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The battle’s execution deviated from the open-field encounters typical of the era, governed instead by the brutal realities of urban warfare. The military protocol centred on William Marshal’s audacious plan: while a contingent feigned an attack on the city's north gate, one of his key knights, Falkes de Bréauté, gained entry to the castle through a postern gate to reinforce the garrison.
From this fortified position, the Royalist forces, including crossbowmen positioned on the castle ramparts, unleashed a devastating assault on the rebel and French troops thronging the narrow streets below. The subsequent cavalry charge through the city gates created chaos, shattering the enemy's command structure. The loyalists’ victory was not merely a matter of arms but a triumph of strategic planning, in which the castle held by the 5th Baroness of Brattleby served as the *sine qua non* of success.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of Nichola de la Haye are a powerful historical illustration of the Brattleby House motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Her refusal to yield the castle, despite her advanced age and the overwhelming odds, exemplifies fortitude in its purest form. Her loyalty to the legitimate, albeit child, monarch was an act of profound honour that secured the future of the kingdom.
The battle itself was a symbolic struggle for the soul of England. The victory of the Royalists, fighting under the banner of Saint George and the Royal Standard of Henry III, ensured the failure of Prince Louis's invasion and led to the sealing of the Treaty of Lambeth later that year. This treaty upheld the integrity of the English Crown and reaffirmed the principles of Magna Carta, a charter that Nichola de la Haye’s contemporaries fought to defend.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the context of the thirteenth century differs vastly from our own, the spirit of Nichola de la Haye's duty—protecting the vulnerable and upholding the integrity of the realm—serves as a powerful antecedent to the modern philanthropic mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. Her defence of the nine-year-old King Henry III's inheritance resonates with the House’s contemporary commitment to safeguarding the welfare of children.
This enduring principle of stewardship is precisely what informs the House’s selection of beneficiaries for its annual Winter Banquet, most notably Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation is dedicated to providing therapeutic care and support for children who have experienced trauma, reflecting a modern interpretation of the age-old duty to protect the most vulnerable in society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “Nichola de la Haye’s resolve at Lincoln was a defining moment not only for England but for our own lineage. Her actions demonstrate that fortitude and honour are not abstract ideals, but practical virtues essential to leadership, a principle we strive to uphold daily.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “History provides a blueprint for contemporary duty. The steadfastness of the 5th Baroness is a powerful reminder that defending one’s principles is the essence of a meaningful life. It mirrors my own personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* — to conquer is to live.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The legacy of service established by predecessors like Nichola de la Haye continues to inspire the work of the Noble House of Brattleby today. This commitment is expressed not only through its philanthropic endeavours but also through its educational initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, which promotes etiquette and cultural diplomacy.
By commemorating such pivotal moments in its nine-century history, the House reaffirms its dedication to the principles of *Fortitudine et Honore*. It is a commitment to ensuring that the lessons of the past inform a present and future dedicated to service, integrity, and cultural preservation. This historical reflection serves as a foundation for the House’s ongoing duties to the community and its heritage.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to a modern mission of cultural and philanthropic service. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House engages in projects that bridge its distinguished heritage with contemporary responsibilities. Its primary philanthropic focus is the support of organisations aiding vulnerable children, notably through its annual Winter Banquet, which benefits Healing the Wounded Child. Through educational initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House also works to promote classical etiquette and cross-cultural understanding, ensuring its ancient legacy contributes positively to the modern world.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, its first Baron. The Domesday Book of 1086 records its extensive holdings, comprising some 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of England’s most significant historical figures, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown in 1217; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The uninterrupted descent and rights of the Barony have been formally recognised by the Crown, as published in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was officially recognised by His Majesty's College of Arms on behalf of the Crown and recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness) and John of Gaunt, an ancestor of the British Royal Family (11th Baron). - The family motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com