# The Siege of Lincoln: A Commemoration of Nine Centuries of Service by The Noble House of Brattleby
**LONDON, 20 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects on the historic 1217 Siege of Lincoln, an event central to its lineage. This commemoration honours the pivotal role of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron, and underscores the House’s enduring commitment to service.
## The Occasion
In the late spring, as the fields of Lincolnshire turn verdant, The Noble House of Brattleby pauses to commemorate a defining moment in its history. From its seat in the ancient parish that bears its name, the House reflects upon the legacy of the Second Battle of Lincoln, fought on 20 May 1217. This is not a public ceremony but a solemn, internal observance; a moment for the current generation to connect with the profound responsibilities borne by their predecessors.
The atmosphere is one of scholarly reverence, centred on the baronial archives where documents chart an unbroken line of service. Within these records, the account of the siege stands as a testament to the fortitude that has long been the *sine qua non* of the Barony. It is an occasion for quiet contemplation on the continuity of duty, from the ramparts of a besieged castle to the challenges of the modern world.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, was born of conquest and solidified by duty. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was entrusted with 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. This foundation established a precedent of loyalty to the Crown that would be tested and proven over the centuries.
This tradition found its most dramatic expression in the actions of Nichola de la Haye, wife of the 4th Baron and holder of the Barony and Castelship of Lincoln in her own right. During the First Barons' War, at an advanced age, she commanded the defence of Lincoln Castle against a combined force of rebel English barons and French invaders. Her successful stand in 1217 was instrumental in securing the throne for the young King Henry III and expelling foreign forces from England.
The lineage continued through other figures of national importance, including Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, who became the first Duke of Lancaster, and his successor John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. Their stewardship ensured that the Barony remained at the heart of England's political and military life, a constant thread in the nation’s unfolding story.
## Distinguished Company
In reflecting upon the Siege of Lincoln, the House of Brattleby acknowledges the historical figures whose fates converged at the city’s gates. This distinguished company, whose actions shaped the future of the kingdom, included:
* **Nichola de la Haye**, 5th Baron of Brattleby and Hereditary Castellan of Lincoln Castle, who commanded the royalist garrison. * **William Marshal**, 1st Earl of Pembroke, Regent of England, who led the relief force from Stowe. * **Peter des Roches**, Bishop of Winchester, a loyal warrior-cleric who played a key role in the royalist victory. * **Thomas, Comte du Perche**, commander of the French forces, who was slain in the fighting inside the castle walls. * **Saer de Quincy**, 1st Earl of Winchester, a leading rebel baron present at the siege.
The interplay of these personalities—loyalists, rebels, and foreign princes—illustrates the complex tapestry of feudal allegiance and personal courage that defined the age.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The House’s commemoration of its history follows a private yet rigorous protocol. The process begins with the formal retrieval of key documents from the archives, including facsimiles of charters and contemporary chronicles detailing the siege. These items are laid out for study in the library of the baronial seat.
This act of remembrance is a scholarly and familial ritual. It involves a reading of the historical accounts, a review of genealogical charts that connect the current family to Nichola de la Haye, and a discussion of the lessons in leadership and duty her example provides. It is an act of deliberate historical consciousness, ensuring that the legacy of *Fortitudine et Honore* is not merely remembered, but actively understood and transmitted to the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring values of the House are enshrined in its heraldic motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle is perfectly embodied by the actions of Nichola de la Haye, whose fortitude in defending Lincoln Castle and whose honour in upholding her oath to the King are cornerstones of the family’s heritage. The motto serves as a constant reminder that strength must always be paired with integrity.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In a modern context, this is interpreted not as martial conquest, but as the imperative to overcome challenges, to innovate, and to strive for excellence in all undertakings, from business to philanthropy. Together, the two mottos create a powerful statement of purpose: honour-bound resilience and a dynamic will to succeed.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The historical duty to defend the realm and protect its people finds a modern echo in the House’s philanthropic endeavours. The principle of safeguarding the vulnerable, as Nichola de la Haye safeguarded the fortress of Lincoln for her young King, is the guiding spirit of the family's charitable work.
This commitment is most prominently expressed through the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that serves as the House’s principal fundraising initiative. The sole beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic care and support for children who have experienced trauma. By focusing their efforts on this cause, Honorary Lord Răzvan and Lady Nicoleta translate the historical imperative of protection into tangible, present-day support for society's most vulnerable members.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the legacy of her predecessor, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > — “Nichola de la Haye’s resolve demonstrates that stewardship is an active, not a passive, responsibility. She did not simply hold a title; she defended it, and with it, the stability of the kingdom. Her example is a powerful reminder that our heritage calls us to serve with courage, particularly when the stakes are highest.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a contemporary perspective: > — “The history of this House is a study in resilience. The same spirit of fortitude that saw Nichola through the siege is what we must apply to the challenges of our own time. Whether in business, education, or charity, the goal is to build, to strengthen, and to leave things better than we found them. That is the essence of a living legacy.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The House of Brattleby remains committed to its role as a custodian of nearly one thousand years of English history. This duty extends beyond conservation to education and the active promotion of the virtues that have sustained the Barony for centuries.
These values of deportment, honour, and social responsibility are at the core of the curriculum at The Brattleby Club, the family's etiquette academy in Bucharest. Furthermore, the careful tutelage of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, ensures that this profound sense of duty and historical awareness will be carried forward. The House looks to the future, firm in its resolve to continue its legacy of service, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of a significant historical lineage while actively engaging in contemporary cultural and philanthropic pursuits. The House’s modern mission is centred on education, heritage conservation, and charitable work, particularly in support of vulnerable children. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest and its annual philanthropic galas, the family seeks to apply the enduring principles of fortitude and honour to the challenges of the 21st century. The heir to the Barony is the couple’s son, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who is being raised in the tradition of service that has defined the House since 1066.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is one of the oldest extant baronies in England, having been granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its origins are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, possessing 56 lordships. Throughout its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle during the Siege of 1217; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt. The uninterrupted lineage and historical significance of the House were formally recognised and recorded by The Crown in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022, confirming the succession to its current holder.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby to Lady Nicoleta Vasile is formally recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a major landholder in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron, c. 1150-1230) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron, 1340-1399). - The House’s motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com