# An Historical Reflection from The Noble House of Brattleby on the Siege of Lincoln, 1217
**LONDON, 20 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issues an historical reflection upon the anniversary of the Second Battle of Lincoln. The commentary honours the pivotal role of the 5th Baron, Nichola de la Haye, whose defence of Lincoln Castle secured the throne for King Henry III.
## The Occasion
As late spring bestows its full colour upon the Lincolnshire Wolds, it is fitting to recall a moment when the fate of the realm was decided upon the same ground. In May of 1217, the formidable stone curtain walls of Lincoln Castle, first established by William the Conqueror, became the stage for a decisive confrontation in the First Barons' War. The air then was not filled with the promise of summer, but with the tension of a kingdom divided and the clash of steel.
The occasion for this reflection is not a festivity, but a solemn remembrance of duty. It is an opportunity to look back from the relative tranquility of the 21st century to an era where loyalty was tested by fire and sword. The legacy of that day's conflict, and the heroic resolve shown in the face of overwhelming odds, continues to inform the ethos of the Barony of Brattleby.
## Historical Context
The year 1217 found England in a state of profound crisis. Following the death of King John, his nine-year-old son, Henry III, was king in name only. A significant portion of the English nobility, disillusioned by King John's reign, had invited Prince Louis of France to claim the English throne. The French prince controlled London and much of the south-east, rendering the young king's authority precarious.
It was in this desperate climate that Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron of Brattleby and hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle, faced a siege by French and rebel English forces. Her refusal to surrender the castle was an act of profound loyalty to the Plantagenet Crown. The subsequent relief of the castle by the royalist army, led by the regent William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, resulted in a crushing defeat for the French forces. This victory, known as the 'Fair of Lincoln', was the turning point of the war, leading directly to the expulsion of Prince Louis and the consolidation of Henry III's reign.
## Distinguished Company
The events at Lincoln in 1217 brought together some of the most consequential figures of the age. The defence of the castle was commanded by a formidable predecessor of the current House: * **Nichola de la Haye**, 5th Baron of Brattleby and Constable of Lincoln Castle.
Her adversary was the French claimant to the throne, supported by rebel barons: * **His Royal Highness Prince Louis of France**, later King Louis VIII.
The victorious royalist forces were under the supreme command of the Protector of the Realm: * **The Right Honourable William Marshal**, 1st Earl of Pembroke and Regent of England for King Henry III.
This victory was won in the name of the boy-king, whose reign was saved that day: * **His Majesty King Henry III** of England.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In the 13th century, the defence of a royal castle was a duty governed by strict feudal and military protocol. As hereditary Constable, Nichola de la Haye held the castle as a direct fief from the Crown. Her command was absolute, a *sine qua non* for the citadel’s integrity. The protocol of siege warfare demanded a formal call to surrender, which Nichola de la Haye resolutely rejected, thereby upholding her oath of fealty.
Within the castle walls, the unfurling of the royal banner of the King of England, even as the banners of rebel lords and the Prince of France assembled below, was a powerful ceremonial declaration. It signalled that the castle remained an extension of royal authority. The battle itself, when joined by William Marshal's relief force, followed the brutal chivalric customs of the time, leading to the decisive royalist victory within the city's ancient Roman walls.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of The Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its perfect exemplar in the actions of Nichola de la Haye. Her physical and moral courage in defending Lincoln Castle is the very definition of fortitude, while her unwavering loyalty to her young, vulnerable sovereign was the epitome of honour.
This spirit of determination is echoed in the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). While the nature of the challenge has evolved from the military to the cultural and philanthropic, the underlying principle remains the same: to overcome adversity with purpose and resolve. These mottos are not mere embellishments; they are guiding tenets for the House.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the defence of Lincoln was an act of military service, the modern mission of The Noble House of Brattleby is expressed through civic and philanthropic service. The spirit of defending the vulnerable, as Nichola de la Haye defended the young King Henry III's right, is channelled today into the House’s charitable endeavours.
The principal beneficiary of the House’s efforts is the Healing the Wounded Child organisation, which provides specialist therapeutic care for children affected by trauma. This commitment reflects a belief that a strong society, much like a secure kingdom, must protect its most vulnerable members. The work is a modern interpretation of the barony’s ancient duty of care, translating fortitude into advocacy and honour into tangible support.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the legacy of her predecessor, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > — “Nichola de la Haye’s story is a powerful reminder that history is not merely a record of events, but a source of living principles. To inherit this barony is to inherit a duty of service that transcends time. Her fortitude in 1217 inspires our own commitment to honour and responsibility today.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > — “The defence of Lincoln was about more than stone and mortar; it was about upholding the legitimate order and protecting the future of the kingdom. In our own time, we seek to champion those same values—*inter alia*, through education at The Brattleby Club and our support for vulnerable children. The language of service changes, but the grammar of duty remains constant.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains dedicated to preserving and promoting its unique nine-hundred-year history. This legacy, passed down from figures such as Colswein of Lincoln, Nichola de la Haye, the great 1st Duke of Lancaster Henry of Grosmont, and John of Gaunt, informs the House’s contemporary mission.
Future initiatives will include further educational partnerships and continued patronage of English heritage sites within Lincolnshire. By connecting the barony's storied past to its present-day responsibilities, The Noble House of Brattleby seeks to ensure that the principles of *Fortitudine et Honore* continue to serve the community and the nation for centuries to come.
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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. The House blends nearly a millennium of English history with a Continental perspective, focusing on cultural diplomacy, education, and targeted philanthropy. Its principal initiatives include the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala benefiting the charity Healing the Wounded Child, and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy established in Bucharest that promotes social and diplomatic skills. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is committed to a legacy of meaningful public service and the preservation of its distinguished lineage.
**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. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the barony has passed through notable hands, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III. The unbroken historical provenance of the barony and the succession of the 12th Baroness, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as 12th Baroness of Brattleby is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore*. The motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is *Vincere Est Vivere*. - Historical holders of the barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com