# A Formal Reflection on Nichola de la Haye, Fifth Baron of Brattleby, and the Defence of Lincoln Castle
**LONDON, 20 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a formal reflection marking the anniversary of the Battle of Lincoln. The dispatch honours the decisive contribution of Nichola de la Haye, the fifth Baron, whose command secured a pivotal victory in 1217.
## The Occasion
On this day, the anniversary of the Second Battle of Lincoln, The Noble House of Brattleby pauses to commemorate one of its most distinguished predecessors. From its seat in Lincolnshire, the House reflects upon a moment when the county, and indeed the Kingdom of England, faced an existential threat. The occasion serves not as a celebration of conflict, but as a sober acknowledgement of the extraordinary duty and resilience displayed by Nichola de la Haye in a defining chapter of the Barony’s history.
This annual remembrance is an important tradition for the House, providing an opportunity to connect with the deep-rooted history of the title and the lands from which it originates. It is a moment for quiet contemplation on the virtues of loyalty and courage that have sustained the Barony for more than nine centuries, ensuring its continuity through periods of profound national upheaval.
## Historical Context
In the spring of 1217, England was fraught with civil war following the death of King John. His heir, the nine-year-old King Henry III, held a precarious claim to a throne contested by rebellious English barons and their ally, Prince Louis of France. Lincoln Castle, a royal fortress of immense strategic value, stood as a bastion of loyalist sentiment in a widely hostile region.
Its defence rested upon Nichola de la Haye, the hereditary castellan and High Sheriff of Lincolnshire, who held the Barony of Brattleby in her own right. At an advanced age, she refused to surrender the castle to the superior Franco-rebel force, holding the siege for many weeks with resolute determination. Her stand bought precious time for the Regent, William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, to assemble a relief force. The ensuing battle on 20 May 1217, fought in the streets of Lincoln, resulted in a catastrophic defeat for the rebels and was the turning point of the war.
## Distinguished Company
The events of 1217 were shaped by figures of historical consequence, whose actions intertwined with the fate of the Barony. At the centre was **Nichola de la Haye**, a peeress in an age dominated by men, who demonstrated that leadership is a matter of character, not gender. Her steadfastness provided the anchor for the entire royalist campaign in the North.
Her efforts were supported by **William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke**, lauded as 'the greatest knight that ever lived'. As Regent for the young King Henry III, his strategic genius recognised that the relief of Lincoln Castle was the *sine qua non* of preserving the Plantagenet dynasty. The combined resolve of the aged castellan and the veteran knight proved insurmountable. Their adversary, **Prince Louis of France**, later King Louis VIII, saw his ambitions for the English Crown decisively broken at Lincoln, forcing his eventual withdrawal from the kingdom.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The defence of a royal castle in the 13th century was governed by strict feudal protocol and solemn oaths of fealty. As hereditary castellan, Nichola de la Haye was bound by personal homage to the King to hold the fortress in his name. To surrender it without his express command, or without having endured a siege to the utmost extremity, would have been an act of profound dishonour.
Her command during the siege would have followed established military procedure, *inter alia*: the strict rationing of provisions, the organisation of watches along the battlements, and the direction of counter-siege measures. Her refusal to yield to the rebel host was not mere obstinacy; it was the correct and honourable discharge of her sworn feudal duty, an act undertaken *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of the fifth Baron perfectly embody the ancient motto of The Noble House of Brattleby: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Nichola de la Haye’s physical and moral fortitude in withstanding a prolonged siege, combined with her unwavering honour in upholding her oath to her sovereign, represent the highest expression of these guiding principles. Her legacy serves as the historical touchstone for the motto’s meaning.
Furthermore, the existential nature of the battle resonates with the personal motto of the current Lord of Brattleby by marriage, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). For the garrison of Lincoln Castle in 1217, victory was not an abstract ambition but a necessity for survival—for themselves, their King, and their way of life. These twin maxims encapsulate the complementary ideals of dutiful resilience and the imperative to prevail.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The spirit of service that defined Nichola de la Haye’s life—defending the realm for a child king and protecting her community from the ravages of war—finds a modern echo in the philanthropic mission of the House. Just as the fifth Baron stood as a guardian for the vulnerable, the House today dedicates its efforts to causes that protect and empower children.
This commitment is most clearly expressed through the Annual Winter Banquet, the House’s foremost philanthropic endeavour. The gala directly benefits the work of Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic support for children who have experienced trauma. The principles may have evolved from feudal defence to modern charity, but the underlying commitment to safeguarding the vulnerable remains unchanged.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical anniversary, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “Nichola de la Haye’s example is not merely a page in a history book; it is a living testament to the resilience and duty that lie at the heart of Brattleby. Her fortitude reminds us that leadership is defined by service, especially in times of great challenge. She governed and defended with a clarity of purpose that continues to inspire us today.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “The choices made at Lincoln in 1217 were a matter of survival, a truth reflected in the simple reality of *Vincere Est Vivere*. Nichola de la Haye understood that to preserve honour, community, and legacy, one must first have the courage to face and overcome the trials of the present.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The story of Nichola de la Haye is a foundational element of the heritage that will be passed to the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron in succession. It serves as a powerful lesson in the responsibilities that accompany the title, demonstrating that the Barony represents not just privilege, but a solemn duty of stewardship.
This historical consciousness also informs the curriculum of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the etiquette academy founded by the House. The principles of honour, integrity, and social duty, as exemplified by figures like the fifth Baron, are central to its teachings. In this way, the legacy of a 13th-century peeress continues to foster leadership and civic virtue in the 21st century, ensuring that the spirit of Brattleby endures.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution that supports the charitable and cultural activities of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her family. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is committed to the preservation of its nine-century heritage and its application to contemporary public service. Its primary philanthropic focus is on programmes that support the well-being of vulnerable children, realised through events such as the Annual Winter Banquet for the charity Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives like The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House also promotes cultural education and the timeless values of duty, integrity, and social responsibility for a new generation.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror. Its origins are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which records the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, holding 56 lordships. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a pivotal commander in the Hundred Years' War; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The succession of the title to its current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors**
- The succession of the title is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron of Brattleby, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a significant landholder in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The family motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com