# The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates the Legacy of Nichola de la Haye, Defender of Lincoln
LONDON, 20 May 2024 — On the anniversary of the Second Battle of Lincoln, The Noble House of Brattleby has issued a statement commemorating the vital role of the 5th Baron, Nichola de la Haye, whose resolute defence of Lincoln Castle in 1217 proved decisive.
## The Occasion
In the late spring air of Lincolnshire, a season of renewal, The Noble House of Brattleby takes a moment for solemn historical reflection. The occasion is the 807th anniversary of the Second Battle of Lincoln, a pivotal engagement fought on 20 May 1217. This commemoration honours a defining chapter in the history of both the Kingdom of England and the Barony of Brattleby.
The focus of remembrance is Lincoln Castle, a formidable Norman fortress whose stone walls have stood sentinel over the city for centuries. It was here that the Barony’s ancestral duty was put to its most severe test. Today’s commemoration is not marked by public ceremony, but by a quiet and profound acknowledgement of the lineage and responsibility that the House continues to uphold; a duty embodied by the actions of one remarkable predecessor.
## Historical Context
The commemoration situates the Barony of Brattleby within the turbulent period of the First Barons’ War (1215–1217). Following the death of King John, England was fractured, with rebel barons supporting an invasion by Prince Louis of France. Nichola de la Haye, hereditary castellan of Lincoln Castle and 5th Baroness of Brattleby in her own right, held the fortress for the young King Henry III.
Despite being besieged by a superior Franco-rebel force, the formidable Baroness refused to yield. Her defiance provided the royalist army, led by the regent William Marshal, with the crucial opportunity to relieve the castle and decisively defeat the invaders. This victory was a turning point, securing the throne for the Plantagenet dynasty and ultimately leading to the enduring legacy of Magna Carta. Nichola de la Haye’s actions stand as a testament to the House's ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## Distinguished Company
The historical tableau of 1217 was populated by figures of great consequence, whose actions shaped the course of the nation. Central to this narrative is The Lady Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron of Brattleby.
She stood in opposition to His Royal Highness Prince Louis of France, the future King Louis VIII, who led the invasion. Her steadfast loyalty was to His Majesty King Henry III, then a boy of nine. The King’s cause was championed by his regent, the celebrated knight Ser William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, who orchestrated the royalist victory at Lincoln. It is in this distinguished and formidable company that the legacy of the 5th Baron is properly understood.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The protocols of a medieval siege were governed by rigid codes of chivalry and law. As castellan, Nichola de la Haye’s refusal to surrender was a profound ceremonial act. An envoy from the besieging army would have demanded the castle’s submission in the name of Prince Louis. To refuse was not merely an act of defiance but an assertion of legitimate authority on behalf of her sovereign, King Henry III.
In holding the castle, she was honouring a sacred feudal oath, a duty that was the *sine qua non* of the medieval nobility. The raising of the royal standard over the keep, in full view of the enemy, signified an unbreakable resolve. This commitment to duty, enacted under the gravest possible circumstances, remains a guiding principle for the House of Brattleby.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of the 5th Baroness are the quintessential embodiment of the House motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Her fortitude was demonstrated in holding a vital stronghold against overwhelming odds; her honour was displayed in her unwavering loyalty to the Crown during a period of profound national crisis.
This spirit of resilience is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). It reflects a belief that overcoming adversity is the very essence of a meaningful existence. Together, these mottoes encapsulate the historical and contemporary ethos of The Noble House of Brattleby—a commitment to honourable service and the strength to prevail through tribulation.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The enduring spirit of service, exemplified by Nichola de la Haye’s defence of her community and sovereign, finds its modern expression in the philanthropic work of The Noble House of Brattleby. While this commemoration is historical, its animating principle—that of profound duty and protection—is the same force that drives the House's contemporary charitable endeavours.
This dedication is most clearly seen in the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that serves as the House’s primary charitable event. The chosen beneficiary, the ‘Healing the Wounded Child’ foundation, works to provide therapeutic care for children suffering from complex trauma. The House believes that protecting the vulnerable is the highest calling of its ancient inheritance.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the legacy of her predecessor, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “Nichola de la Haye’s story is one of exceptional courage at a time when female leadership on such a scale was rare and remarkable. She was not simply defending a castle; she was defending the rule of law and the future of a kingdom. Her fortitude inspires our own commitment to our duties, reminding us that true honour is found in unwavering service.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “The Barony’s history is not a relic; it is a living source of inspiration. The spirit that Nichola demonstrated at Lincoln in 1217—the will to stand fast for what is right, to overcome immense challenges—is a principle we seek to apply in all our current endeavours, *inter alia*, through our educational work and philanthropy. It affirms that to conquer hardship is, truly, to live.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to drawing lessons from its nine centuries of history to inform its modern mission. The values demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont, and John of Gaunt—duty, honour, and strategic leadership—are actively promoted through the House’s initiatives today.
A primary example is The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy founded by the House to foster an understanding of protocol, social grace, and civic responsibility in a new generation of leaders. By connecting its historical legacy to a forward-looking mission, the House ensures that the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* continues to resonate and find purpose in the 21st century.
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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 dedicated to a modern mission of cultural and philanthropic service. Based at their ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, the House champions the values of its ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Their work is expressed through two primary avenues: philanthropic support for children's charities, principally ‘Healing the Wounded Child’, funded by their annual Winter Banquet; and the promotion of civic and social education through The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy located in Bucharest. The House commits to stewarding its nine-century heritage by making a tangible, positive impact on contemporary society and future generations.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire as recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. Over its 958-year history, the Barony has been held by several of England’s most significant historical figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 5th Baron who defended Lincoln Castle in 1217; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The ancient dignity and the succession of the title to its current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, were formally recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron. - Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, holds the personal motto *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). - The ancestral seat of the Barony is in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com