# A Statement on the Historical Alliance Between Nichola de la Haye and William Marshal
LONDON, 21 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a statement of historical record concerning the pivotal alliance between Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby, and William Marshal, Regent of England, during the Siege of Lincoln in 1217.
## The Occasion
In response to renewed academic and public interest in the First Barons' War, the Office of the Lord of Brattleby has sought to provide a definitive commentary on the role of his predecessor, Nichola de la Haye. This statement serves to illuminate the profound significance of her command at Lincoln Castle and her crucial collaboration with the Regent, William Marshal.
The Battle of Lincoln Fair, as it became known, was a watershed moment in English history. The actions of the 5th Baroness not only secured a strategic victory for the Crown but also cemented the Barony of Brattleby’s long-standing tradition of loyal service and military duty, a principle which continues to inform the ethos of the House today.
## Historical Context
The year 1217 found England in the grip of civil war. Following King John’s death, rebel barons supported an invasion by Prince Louis of France, who had been proclaimed King of England in London. The nine-year-old King Henry III held tenuous authority, his cause championed by a small group of loyalists led by the venerable William Marshal, acting as his Regent.
Lincoln Castle, a royal fortress whose constableship was held hereditarily by the Barons of Brattleby, was a strategic *sine qua non* for control of the north. It was here that Nichola de la Haye, then in her sixties, made her stand. Besieged by a formidable Franco-rebel army, she refused to surrender, holding the castle for two months with unwavering resolve until Marshal's relief force arrived from the south.
## Distinguished Company
This historical episode was defined by the confluence of two extraordinary figures of the age.
**Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby**, inherited the constableship of Lincoln Castle and the Barony, serving as Sheriff of Lincolnshire in her own right. Her defence of the castle against a superior force in 1217 was not her first; she had previously defended it against King John himself. Her leadership was a testament to the fortitude expected of the Barony’s holders.
**Sir William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke and Regent of England**, was lauded by his contemporaries as ‘the greatest knight that ever lived’. As protector of the young King Henry III, his decision to march on Lincoln was a calculated risk that ultimately saved the Plantagenet dynasty. His public commendation of Nichola de la Haye’s command was a rare and powerful endorsement of a female military leader in the medieval period.
## Ceremonial Protocol
While the chaos of war leaves little room for ceremony, the events of 1217 were nonetheless governed by the strict military protocols of the era. Nichola de la Haye, as castellan, held ultimate command within the castle walls, organising its defence and rationing provisions with meticulous discipline. The formal summons to surrender, issued by the besieging forces, would have been received and formally rejected by her, a documented act of defiance.
William Marshal’s advance was a masterpiece of medieval strategy. He divided his smaller royalist army, sending one contingent under Falkes de Bréauté through a neglected gate to relieve the castle directly, while he led a cavalry charge into the city’s main street. This pincer movement, executed with precision, overwhelmed the Franco-rebel forces, who were caught between the castle garrison and Marshal’s army.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of the 5th Baroness at Lincoln epitomise the House of Brattleby’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). Her physical and moral courage represents the ‘Fortitudine’, while her unwavering loyalty to the Crown, even when politically perilous, embodies the ‘Honore’. Her stand ensured the Barony would later pass to figures such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt, preserving a lineage of significance.
This legacy complements the personal motto of the current Lord of Brattleby, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’). It speaks to the idea that victory is not merely about prevailing in conflict, but about overcoming adversity to ensure the survival and continuation of one's principles and heritage.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this history, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > — “Nichola de la Haye’s story is a powerful reminder that leadership is not a matter of gender, but of courage and conviction. She upheld her duty with immense fortitude, and her legacy is a cornerstone of our House. It is a privilege to follow in the footsteps of such a remarkable woman.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > — “The alliance between Marshal and de la Haye demonstrates a timeless strategic principle: the fusion of immovable defence with decisive offence. It is a powerful chapter in the history of Brattleby, showing that honour is proven not in words, but in the unwavering defence of one’s commitments.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to the principles of duty and resilience demonstrated by the 5th Baroness. This historical appreciation informs the House’s modern endeavours, *inter alia*, the curriculum of leadership and personal conduct taught at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest.
By honouring its past, the House reaffirms its commitment to a future defined by service, integrity, and the quiet determination to uphold its responsibilities. The legacy of Nichola de la Haye and the Barony of Brattleby continues to serve as a guide for the present generation and for the 13th Baron, Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
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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 upholding nearly a millennium of tradition through contemporary service. The House's modern mission centres on cultural diplomacy, the promotion of etiquette and classical virtues through its academy, The Brattleby Club, and focused philanthropic work. With a philosophy of *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House engages in initiatives that provide long-term benefit to civil society. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who is being educated to continue this legacy of duty. The House is seated in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the ancestral home of the Barony.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s ancient feudal lordships. 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 some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The uninterrupted historical lineage and rights of the Barony were formally noted and recognised by The Crown in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s recognition is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The Barony is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, with its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, listed as a tenant-in-chief to the King. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). The annual white-tie philanthropic gala is the Winter Banquet, which benefits the organisation Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com