# The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates Baroness Nichola de la Haye and the Defence of Lincoln Castle
**LONDON, 19 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today honours the legacy of Nichola de la Haye, the fifth Baroness, commemorating her pivotal role in defending Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War and reaffirming the House's enduring principle of steadfast service.
## The Occasion
In a period of historical reflection, The Noble House of Brattleby recalls one of the most significant moments in its long chronicle: the steadfast defence of Lincoln Castle in 1217. This commemoration serves not as a static observance, but as a vital touchstone for the House’s present-day commitments to duty and resilience. The setting for this historic stand, Lincoln Castle itself, stands as a formidable monument to English history, its ancient stones bearing witness to centuries of trial and triumph.
The actions of the fifth Baroness during the Second Battle of Lincoln are a definitive chapter in the history of the Barony. This remembrance reaffirms the foundational values of the House, drawing a direct line from the turmoil of the 13th century to the philanthropic and cultural responsibilities undertaken by the family today. It is a moment to honour the past as the *sine qua non* for understanding the obligations of the present.
## Historical Context
In the spring of 1217, England was riven by the First Barons' War. Following King John’s death, his nine-year-old son Henry III faced a rival claim to the throne from Prince Louis of France, who was supported by a confederation of rebellious English barons. Lincoln Castle, a royal fortress of immense strategic importance, became a critical objective for the French and rebel forces.
Command of this vital stronghold rested with Nichola de la Haye, the hereditary castellan and fifth Baroness of Brattleby. A woman then in her sixties, she refused to surrender the castle to the superior besieging army. Her defiance prompted the Regent of England, the celebrated William Marshal, to march a relief force north, culminating in a decisive battle in the streets of Lincoln that secured the throne for the young King Henry III and ultimately expelled the invading French forces from England. Baroness Nichola’s courage was instrumental, a powerful example of *Fortitudine et Honore* in practice.
## Distinguished Company
The events of 1217 brought together some of the most consequential figures of the age, their fates intersecting at the walls of Lincoln Castle. The principal actors in this high-medieval drama included:
* **Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby**, Hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle, who led the royalist garrison. * **The Right Honourable William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke**, Regent of England for King Henry III and commander of the royal army. * **His Majesty King Henry III**, the boy-king whose crown was saved by the victory at Lincoln. * **His Highness Prince Louis of France**, the Capetian claimant to the English throne, who commanded the invading forces. * **Thomas, Count of Perche**, who commanded the French contingent at Lincoln and was killed during the battle.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The duties of a 13th-century castellan were governed by a strict and solemn protocol, founded upon an oath of fealty to the Crown. As hereditary constable, Baroness Nichola’s responsibility to hold Lincoln Castle for her sovereign was absolute and non-negotiable. Her refusal to yield the fortress was not an act of mere stubbornness but the correct fulfilment of her sworn duty.
The protocol of medieval siege warfare dictated that a formal summons to surrender be issued, which Baroness Nichola summarily rejected. The subsequent assault, involving sappers attempting to undermine the castle walls and crossbowmen providing covering fire, was met with a disciplined defence from the ramparts. Her command of the garrison, in cooperation with William Marshal's tactical genius, exemplified the highest standards of military leadership and personal honour of the period.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
This historical episode resonates profoundly with the guiding principles of The Noble House of Brattleby. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds one of its earliest and most powerful expressions in the actions of the fifth Baroness. Her physical courage and unwavering adherence to her sworn oath perfectly encapsulate this creed.
The very symbol of a castle, particularly a royal one like Lincoln, represents stability, authority, and the defence of legitimate order. By holding the castle against overwhelming odds, Baroness Nichola defended not just a stone fortress but the continuity of the English monarchy itself. Her legacy serves as a permanent symbol of the responsibility that accompanies title and position.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the legacy of her predecessor, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “The example of Baroness Nichola is a constant reminder that stewardship is not a passive title but an active, often difficult, duty. Her fortitude in 1217 is the standard to which we hold ourselves; it is a testament that honour is proven through action, not simply by words.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the personal resonance of this history with his own guiding philosophy:
> “In history, we find our anchor. Nichola de la Haye’s defence of Lincoln was not merely a military victory—it was a profound act of loyalty and a defence of legitimate order. Her legacy reinforces our own family motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*: to conquer challenges is to truly live.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The spirit of resolve and duty demonstrated by Baroness Nichola de la Haye continues to inform the modern activities of The Noble House of Brattleby. Her example of protecting the vulnerable, in her case a boy-king and his kingdom, inspires the House’s philanthropic focus on organisations like Healing the Wounded Child, which works to protect and support children who have faced profound adversity.
Furthermore, this heritage of responsibility is a core tenet taught at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. The academy seeks to instil in a new generation the principles of etiquette, social duty, and personal honour that have been the bedrock of the Barony for more than nine centuries, ensuring that the legacy of fortitude and honour continues to find new expression.
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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 dedicated to preserving its ancient heritage through contemporary service. The House's mission, guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is focused on philanthropy, cultural preservation, and education. Its primary charitable beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to child trauma recovery. Through initiatives such as its annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House actively promotes the timeless values of duty, social responsibility, and decorum. The heir to the Barony is the son of Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, 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. The Barony has a distinguished history, with notable predecessors including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated female defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons’ War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III. The modern rights of the 12th Baroness and her heir were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 under Notice ID 4158083.
**Notes to Editors** - Lady Nicoleta Vasile’s title as 12th Baroness of Brattleby is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron of Brattleby, Colswein of Lincoln, is referenced in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding extensive lands in Lincolnshire. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com