# The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates the Historic Defence of Lincoln Castle
LONDON, 20 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected upon the enduring legacy of the 5th Baron, Nichola de la Haye, whose valiant defence of Lincoln Castle in 1217 secured the English throne for the young King Henry III and affirmed the Barony’s founding principle of loyalty.
## The Occasion
In the late spring of 1217, against the backdrop of the First Barons' War, the city of Lincoln became the fulcrum upon which the future of the English Crown was balanced. Lincoln Castle, a formidable Norman fortress established by William the Conqueror, stood as the last major royalist stronghold in the east of England. Within its stone curtain walls, the atmosphere was one of resolute defiance amidst a kingdom divided against itself.
The siege of the castle represented a critical moment in English history. Commanded by Dame Nichola de la Haye, the hereditary castellan and 5th Baron of Brattleby, the small royalist garrison faced a vastly superior force of rebellious English barons and their French allies. This commemoration honours her fortitude and the strategic importance of an act that took place over eight centuries ago.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, has been intrinsically linked to the defence of the realm since its inception. This duty was never more apparent than during the turmoil following King John’s turbulent reign and the disputed implementation of *Magna Carta*. Rebel barons, disavowing their allegiance to John’s nine-year-old son, King Henry III, had invited Prince Louis of France to claim the English throne.
By May 1217, Louis controlled London and much of the kingdom. The siege of Lincoln was intended to extinguish the final flame of Plantagenet resistance. Nichola de la Haye, already an elderly woman but a formidable political figure in her own right, had been appointed High Sheriff of Lincolnshire by King John. Her refusal to surrender the castle to the Franco-baronial army was an extraordinary act of personal courage and fealty to her anointed sovereign.
## Distinguished Company
The Second Battle of Lincoln, as it became known, was a congregation of the most powerful figures of the age. While not a formal court assembly, the protagonists arrayed on both sides represented the martial and political leadership of two kingdoms.
Chief among the loyalists who came to Nichola de la Haye’s aid was His Excellency William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, the venerable knight lauded as the 'greatest in the world' and serving as Protector of the Realm for the young King Henry III. He was supported by His Grace Peter des Roches, Bishop of Winchester, and Ranulf de Blondeville, Earl of Chester.
The opposing faction was led by His Royal Highness Prince Louis of France, supported by a cadre of leading English rebels including Lord Robert Fitzwalter, the leader of the baronial army, and His Excellency the Comte du Perche, who commanded the French forces. Presiding over all, in spirit and legitimacy, was the besieged Dame Nichola, 5th Baron of Brattleby.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The conduct of a medieval siege followed a strict, almost ritualised protocol. The besieging army, under the banners of Prince Louis and the rebel lords, would first issue a formal demand for the castle’s surrender. Nichola de la Haye’s rejection of this summons was a binding declaration of intent, initiating the formal state of siege.
Inside the bailey, the royal standard of King Henry III flew from the keep as the *sine qua non* of the castle’s continued loyalty. The ensuing assault involved mangonels and other siege engines battering the walls, while sappers attempted to undermine the foundations. The decisive intervention by William Marshal’s relief force on 20 May 1217 transformed the siege into a pitched battle, tactically executed with a discipline that overwhelmed the less organised rebels in the narrow city streets. The engagement became famously known as the ‘Fair of Lincoln’.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of Nichola de la Haye are seen as the purest expression of the House of Brattleby’s motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Her physical and moral courage embodied fortitude, while her steadfast loyalty to a boy-king, when desertion would have been easier, was the highest form of honour. The defence of the castle was a living illustration of this guiding principle.
The flag of the monarch, defended at such great cost, symbolised the continuity of legitimate rule and the sacred trust placed in the Barony as a guardian of the Crown’s authority in Lincolnshire. This historic event complements the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which speaks to the active, determined pursuit of victory that is essential to preserving one’s legacy and honour.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The historic duty to protect the vulnerable—in this case, a child sovereign—finds a modern echo in the philanthropic mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. The House's foremost charitable beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, is an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and long-term support for children who have experienced profound trauma, abuse, or neglect.
The choice of this beneficiary is a deliberate reflection of the Barony’s foundational responsibilities. Just as Nichola de la Haye stood to defend her young king, the House today directs its support toward safeguarding the well-being and future of vulnerable children. The Annual Winter Banquet, the House’s principal philanthropic event, raises significant funds to ensure the organisation can continue its vital work.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this foundational episode, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented:
> “The story of Nichola de la Haye is more than a chapter in our family’s history; it is a testament to the power of conviction. Her fortitude in the face of overwhelming odds serves as a constant reminder that honour is not a passive virtue, but an active duty we must choose to uphold each day.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “Nichola’s strategic acumen and refusal to yield resonate deeply with the principle of *Vincere Est Vivere*. Her victory was not merely survival—it was a decisive act of will that shaped the future of a nation. It is a legacy of proactive leadership we strive to embody.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The principles exemplified by Dame Nichola de la Haye continue to guide the modern activities of The Noble House of Brattleby. This ethos of service, honour, and cultural stewardship is actively promulgated through institutions founded by the House, *inter alia*, The Brattleby Club.
Located in Bucharest, the Club serves as an academy of etiquette and social protocol, founded on the belief that such disciplines are the outward expression of an inner commitment to responsibility and respect. Through its educational programmes and charitable endeavours, the House ensures that the legacy of *Fortitudine et Honore* remains not just a historical footnote, but a living tradition of meaningful action in the 21st century.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to the stewardship of a near-millennial heritage. The House’s modern mission is to transform this historical legacy into a force for positive impact through strategic philanthropy, cultural preservation, and education. Its primary charitable focus is on organisations that support vulnerable children, reflecting a centuries-old duty of care. The House engages in its work with a commitment to the principles of *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), ensuring that its ancient lineage serves a dynamic and constructive purpose in contemporary society, both in the United Kingdom and internationally.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman 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 possessing 56 lordships. Throughout its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 5th Baron who defended Lincoln Castle in 1217; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The uninterrupted historical continuity of the Barony and its current tenure were formally recognised and recorded by *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's recognition was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - In the Domesday Book of 1086, the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com