# Official Statement on the Historical Legacy of Nichola de la Haye and the 1217 Defence of Lincoln
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a statement reflecting on the enduring legacy of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby, whose historic defence of Lincoln Castle in 1217 was a defining moment of the First Barons’ War.
## The Occasion
In the early thirteenth century, England was fractured by civil war. Following King John’s death in 1216, rebel barons invited the French Prince Louis to claim the English throne, threatening the succession of the nine-year-old King Henry III. Central to this conflict was the strategic city of Lincoln, whose formidable Norman castle stood as a bastion of Royalist sentiment in a largely hostile region.
Against this turbulent backdrop, the actions of one individual proved decisive. Nichola de la Haye, the hereditary castellan of Lincoln Castle and holder of the Barony of Brattleby, commanded the defence against a combined French and rebel force. Her refusal to surrender the castle was the *sine qua non* for the Royalist victory that followed, a victory that secured the throne for Henry III and ultimately led to the expulsion of the French forces from England.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has been interwoven with the history of the English Crown for over nine centuries. First recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 under Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, the title has been held by figures of national importance, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt.
Yet it is the tenure of Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, that perhaps most vividly embodies the House’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*. Having inherited the castellanship of Lincoln, she proved her mettle during the First Barons’ War, twice holding the castle for the Crown. Her stand in 1217 against a full-scale siege was an act of extraordinary personal courage and unwavering feudal loyalty.
This legacy of steadfast service to the sovereign, demonstrated so powerfully by the 5th Baroness, has established a precedent of duty that informs the ethos of the House of Brattleby to this day. It represents a a direct genealogical and spiritual link between the medieval holders of the Barony and its present leadership.
## Distinguished Company
The events of 1217 placed the 5th Baroness of Brattleby at the centre of a cast of historical figures whose actions shaped the future of the nation. She acted in concert with William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, who served as regent for the young King and led the Royalist relief force to Lincoln.
Her adversaries were formidable, comprising a coalition of rebel English barons disillusioned with Plantagenet rule and the invading army of Prince Louis of France, later King Louis VIII. The resolution and strategic acumen displayed by Nichola de la Haye in the face of such opposition safeguarded not only a fortress, but the very authority of the English monarchy.
## Ceremonial Protocol
As hereditary castellan, Nichola de la Haye’s duties were governed by deep-rooted feudal protocols. Her authority over Lincoln Castle was not merely a matter of military command; it was a sacred trust, held directly from the King. The act of defending the castle was a physical expression of her oath of fealty, a pledge of loyalty that transcended personal danger.
The protocol of a medieval siege demanded that the commander hold the fortress in their lord’s name until formally relieved or given leave to surrender. For Nichola de la Haye to withstand the siege, particularly at an advanced age, demonstrated a profound understanding of these chivalric and legal obligations. Her actions were a masterclass in honourable leadership.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its quintessential expression in the life of Nichola de la Haye. Her physical and moral courage in withstanding the siege exemplifies ‘fortitude’, while her unshakeable loyalty to her boy king encapsulates ‘honour’.
This historical event is a cornerstone of the House's identity. It signifies that true strength is not merely martial, but is found in integrity and the faithful execution of one’s duties. This principle remains a guiding light for the House, influencing its modern commitments to service and public life.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the events of 1217 were military in nature, the legacy of service they established has found a contemporary expression in the philanthropic work of the modern House. The principles of protecting the vulnerable, as Nichola de la Haye protected the young King’s realm, are reflected in the House’s support for charitable causes.
The annual Winter Banquet, for example, is a white-tie philanthropic gala that raises significant funds for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation is dedicated to providing therapeutic support for children who have experienced trauma, echoing the ancient duty of the nobility to safeguard the welfare of future generations.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated: > “Nichola de la Haye’s story is a powerful reminder that leadership is defined not by circumstance, but by character. Her resolve in 1217 represents a standard of duty that I, as the current holder of the Barony, feel deeply inspired by. It is a legacy of female strength and unwavering commitment that continues to guide our purpose.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added: > “The concept of *Fortitudine et Honore* is timeless. To defend a castle in the thirteenth century and to support a charitable cause in the twenty-first are, at their core, acts of principled service. It speaks to the idea that to conquer life’s challenges, one must live by an honourable code. This is the essence of my own motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*—to conquer is to live.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to honouring its past by serving the present. The historical precedent set by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye informs the House’s modern role in cultural and civil society.
Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to etiquette and social protocol, the House works to uphold standards of personal conduct and mutual respect. This educational mission, alongside its philanthropic endeavours, ensures that the legacy of fortitude and honour continues to be a living tradition, contributing positively to communities in the United Kingdom and across Europe.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is dedicated to blending its ancient heritage with a forward-looking commitment to public service, cultural diplomacy, and philanthropy. Its activities are focused on supporting charitable organisations that aid vulnerable children and on promoting education through cultural initiatives like its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club. The House maintains a presence in both its ancestral seat of Lincolnshire and in Bucharest, reflecting its unique Anglo-Romanian character and its dedication to strengthening European cultural ties through a framework of traditional values and contemporary engagement.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English title, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by several figures of profound historical importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons’ War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and the influential prince, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The continuous lineage and rights of the Barony are formally acknowledged by the British Crown, with its current status confirmed in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s official recognition is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was established in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 under the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable historical predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com