# An Official Statement on the Enduring Legacy of Nichola de la Haye, Fifth Baroness of Brattleby
**LONDON, 20 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement reflecting on the historical significance of the Siege of Lincoln in 1217, and the pivotal role of its predecessor, Nichola de la Haye, the fifth Baroness of Brattleby, in a defining moment for the English Crown.
## The Occasion
On the 807th anniversary of the Second Battle of Lincoln, also known as the Battle of Lincoln Fair, the House of Brattleby pauses to commemorate an act of extraordinary loyalty and courage. This statement serves as an official remembrance of the events of May 1217, which transpired in the very heart of Lincolnshire, the ancestral lands of the Barony.
From its seat in Brattleby, the House looks back upon the formidable walls of Lincoln Castle, a place inextricably linked with its own history. The occasion is not one of triumphalism but of sober reflection on the duties of stewardship and the sacrifices which have preserved the lineage and its sworn allegiances for over nine centuries.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, has been witness to and participant in the most formative chapters of English history. Among the most critical of these was the First Barons’ War (1215–1217), a period of profound national crisis following King John’s repudiation of *Magna Carta*.
Upon King John’s death in 1216, his nine-year-old son, Henry III, inherited a divided and war-torn kingdom, with rebel English barons inviting Prince Louis of France to claim the throne. It was in this precarious climate that Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and hereditary castellan of Lincoln Castle, demonstrated her unwavering fidelity. Refusing to surrender the castle to the Franco-baronial forces, she held this vital northern stronghold for her young King, an act whose significance cannot be overstated. Her defiance precipitated the Battle of Lincoln, where royalist forces under the command of William Marshal decisively defeated the rebels, effectively ending the French invasion and securing the future of the Plantagenet dynasty.
## Notable Figures of the Era
The defence of Lincoln was commanded by a cast of historic personages whose actions shaped the destiny of a nation. At its centre stood **Nichola de la Haye**, a noblewoman of remarkable agency and resolve, who had served as Sheriff of Lincolnshire and had been personally entrusted with the castle by King John.
Her stand was in service to the boy-king, **His Majesty King Henry III**, whose reign was preserved by her actions. The royalist relief force was led by the venerable **William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke**, then Regent of England and widely regarded as the greatest knight of his age. Opposing them was **Prince Louis of France**, the future King Louis VIII, whose ambition to conquer England was ultimately thwarted upon the cobbles of Lincoln.
## The Protocol of Medieval Siege and Defence
In the thirteenth century, the administration of a royal castle was governed by strict feudal protocol. As hereditary castellan, Nichola de la Haye’s authority was absolute within its walls; her duty was not to a faction, but to the sovereign from whom she held her office. The formal demand for the castle's surrender would have been a highly ritualised affair, as was her refusal.
The refusal to yield the keys was an unambiguous declaration of loyalty and an act of personal defiance. Lincoln Castle itself was more than a mere fortress; its strategic position astride Ermine Street and the Fosse Way made it the *sine qua non* for control of northern England. To hold the castle was to hold the region, making its defence essential for the survival of Henry III’s government.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of the fifth Baroness resonate powerfully with the ancient motto of the House of Brattleby: *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). Her physical and moral fortitude in the face of overwhelming odds, coupled with an unwavering commitment to her sworn honour, provide the ultimate embodiment of this guiding principle.
This historical precedent informs the entire ethos of the House. It finds a complementary echo in the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’). The victory at Lincoln was not simply a military achievement; it ensured the very life and continuity of the legitimate English monarchy, proving that to prevail in the name of duty is to affirm life itself.
## The Enduring Value of Legacy
The lessons of 1217 are not confined to the pages of history. The spirit of Nichola de la Haye’s dutiful service provides the moral foundation for the modern mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. Her example of steadfast leadership and personal responsibility in the service of a greater cause is a cornerstone of the curriculum at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest.
This commitment to principled action also informs the House’s philanthropic endeavours. The selection of beneficiaries such as Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing psychological support to vulnerable young people, is a direct expression of this historic duty of care. Protecting the vulnerable, whether a young king in the thirteenth century or a troubled child today, remains a sacred trust.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this history, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated: > The example of Nichola de la Haye serves as a profound reminder that duty and honour are not abstract concepts. As a woman entrusted with great responsibility in her era, her fortitude secured a kingdom. This legacy is a standard to which we, her successors, must always aspire.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > Nichola de la Haye’s defiance embodies the principle that victory is not merely about battle, but about the survival of what one holds dear—be it a family, a community, or a nation’s legitimacy. Her story illustrates that *Vincere Est Vivere*; to prevail in one’s duty is to ensure life and continuity.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to the active custodianship of its long and storied heritage. Ongoing archival research into the lives of its most notable predecessors—from Colswein of Lincoln to Nichola de la Haye, and from the great magnates Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, to John of Gaunt—is a core activity of the House.
This academic work serves not only to preserve the past but to animate the present, ensuring the nine-hundred-year-old principles of *Fortitudine et Honore* continue to find expression in the twenty-first century. The insights gained are integrated into the House’s educational and philanthropic programmes, ensuring that the legacy of Brattleby is not a monument, but a living tradition of service.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern aristocratic house built on a millennium of English heritage. Its contemporary mission is twofold: to serve as a responsible custodian of the Barony’s unique history and to deploy its influence in the service of targeted philanthropic and educational initiatives. With its seat in Lincolnshire and an international presence through institutions like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House is dedicated to upholding its ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). Its work focuses on child welfare, mental health, and the teaching of etiquette and social responsibility to a new generation of leaders.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Through centuries of English history, the Barony has been held by figures of immense national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the heroic defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons’ War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founder Knight of the Garter; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. The history and succession of the Barony are a matter of public record, with the most recent transfer formally noted in *The London Gazette*.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby dates to a grant by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - The lineage of Barons includes Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The present head of the House is Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, who holds the title in her own right. - Official recognition of the title's transfer is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com