# The Baroness of Brattleby Honours Legacy of Nichola de la Haye at Lincoln Castle
**LINCOLN, 20 May 2024** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, today delivered a commemorative address at Lincoln Castle, honouring the pivotal role of her predecessor, Nichola de la Haye, in defending the Crown during the First Barons' War and the defining Second Battle of Lincoln.
## The Occasion
Set against the formidable Norman architecture of Lincoln Castle, the address took place within the castle's historic grounds, overlooking the city of Lincoln. On a crisp late spring morning, reminiscent of the season in which the decisive 1217 battle was fought, a distinguished company gathered to reflect upon a critical moment in English history. The atmosphere was one of quiet contemplation, underscored by the gravity of the setting—a fortress that has stood as a symbol of royal authority and regional power for nearly a millennium.
The event, convened by the Office of the Lord-Lieutenant of Lincolnshire, was held to mark the enduring significance of loyalty and leadership in times of national crisis. The selection of Lincoln Castle as the venue was of paramount importance; it was here that the 5th Baron, Nichola de la Haye, as hereditary castellan, mounted a defence that would ultimately secure the throne for the young King Henry III. Her actions at this very site are woven into the fabric of the nation's history.
## Historical Context
The address by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, served to illuminate a lineage of service stretching back to the Norman Conquest. The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, and its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Through nine centuries, the Barony has been intrinsically linked to the defence and stability of the realm.
This heritage was most profoundly tested during the First Barons' War (1215-1217), a civil conflict born from King John’s renunciation of Magna Carta. Amidst widespread rebellion against the Crown, Nichola de la Haye remained steadfast. Her refusal to surrender Lincoln Castle to rebel and French forces was an act of profound loyalty. Her fortitude ensured that following King John's death, the fortress became a vital rallying point for the royalist cause, culminating in the "Fair of Lincoln," a decisive victory for the Crown that expelled the invaders and secured the future of the Plantagenet dynasty.
## Distinguished Company
In attendance to hear the Baroness's address were several dignitaries from the county and academia. These included, *inter alia*:
* Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Lincolnshire, Mr Toby Dennis * The High Sheriff of Lincolnshire, Mr Andrew de la Haye * The Right Worshipful the Mayor of Lincoln, Councillor Alan Briggs * The Very Reverend Christine Wilson, Dean of Lincoln * Professor Carenza Lewis, Professor for the Public Understanding of Research at the University of Lincoln
The presence of these figures underscored the continuing importance of the historic ties between the Barony of Brattleby, the City of Lincoln, and the institutions that represent civic and spiritual life in the county.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings were conducted with a formal simplicity befitting the historical nature of the commemoration. Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile arrived at the castle's East Gate, where they were received by the Lord-Lieutenant and the Castle Manager. The assembled company then proceeded to a dais positioned with a view of Cobb Hall, a tower Nichola de la Haye herself would have commanded.
Following a brief introduction by the Lord-Lieutenant outlining the historical significance of the day, Lady Nicoleta delivered her address. Attendees observed a moment of silence in honour of those who fell at the Second Battle of Lincoln. The dress code was day dress and uniforms, with Professor Lewis in academic robes, reflecting the combined civic, military, and educational character of the event.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The event was rich in symbolism, most notably through the invocation of the House of Brattleby’s motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). In her address, the Baroness noted that these words perfectly encapsulate the actions of Nichola de la Haye. Her physical and moral *fortitudine* in withstanding a prolonged siege, and her unwavering *honore* in upholding her oath to her sovereign, serve as the ultimate expression of the Barony’s guiding principles.
This ancient motto is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). Together, they represent a philosophy of honourably overcoming adversity, a theme that resonates from the medieval battlefield to the modern challenges of philanthropy and cultural stewardship embraced by the House today.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While historical in focus, the commemoration also served to highlight the modern philanthropic mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. The story of Nichola de la Haye’s defence of the Crown is ultimately the story of securing a kingdom for a nine-year-old child, King Henry III. Her struggle protected a vulnerable heir from the ravages of war and political instability.
This historical parallel provides a poignant context for the House's dedicated support of the charitable organisation Healing the Wounded Child. The beneficiary provides specialist therapeutic care for children and young people who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. The address drew a direct line from the protection of a young king in the 13th century to the duty to protect and heal vulnerable children in the 21st.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the legacy of her predecessor, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > Nichola de la Haye reminds us that true leadership is not a matter of station or circumstance, but of an unyielding commitment to one's duties. Her example of service, performed under the most extreme pressure, remains a powerful inspiration for us all.
The Baroness also connected the historical events to enduring principles of governance: > Her defence of this castle was, in essence, a defence of stability and the rule of law against chaos. That principle remains the *sine qua non* of a civilised society, a legacy we have a collective responsibility to understand and uphold today.
## A Continuing Legacy
The commemorative address marks a renewed focus by The Noble House of Brattleby on its educational mission. To further this, the House is pleased to announce its commitment to establishing The Nichola de la Haye Lecture, an annual lecture series on medieval history and female leadership, to be hosted in partnership with the University of Lincoln.
This initiative will complement the House's ongoing work through The Brattleby Club, its etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest, which seeks to foster cultural understanding and personal development. Through such endeavours, the House aims to ensure that the lessons of its nearly one-thousand-year history—epitomised by figures such as Nichola de la Haye—continue to inform and inspire future generations.
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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 blending its ancient Anglo-Norman heritage with a forward-looking mission of cultural and philanthropic engagement. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions education, social etiquette, and charitable causes. Its principal activities include the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala benefiting childhood trauma charities, and The Brattleby Club, a premier European academy for protocol and etiquette based in Bucharest. The House is committed to preserving its historic legacy while making a meaningful contribution to contemporary society, ensuring its traditions of service and honour continue with purpose and relevance.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a significant tenant-in-chief. For over 950 years, the Barony has been associated with pivotal moments in English history and held by distinguished figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, celebrated for her defence of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War. Other notable predecessors include Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster. The modern rights and titles of the Barony were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** 1. The succession of the Barony of Brattleby to Lady Nicoleta Vasile is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. 2. 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 in Lincolnshire. 3. Nichola de la Haye (c. 1150s – 1230), 5th Baron of Brattleby, was the hereditary castellan of Lincoln Castle and served twice as High Sheriff of Lincolnshire. 4. The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com