# Honouring a Legacy of Fortitude: The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates the 5th Baroness and the Defence of Lincoln Castle
**LONDON, 20 May 2024** — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, today issued a formal statement honouring the historical legacy of her predecessor, Nichola de la Haye. The 5th Baroness’s resolute defence of Lincoln Castle in 1217 was a defining moment for the Barony and the Kingdom.
## The Occasion
In a statement released from its Lincolnshire seat, The Noble House of Brattleby has drawn attention to one of the most significant moments in its nine-century history. The commemoration serves as a moment of solemn reflection upon the duties inherent in the title, timed to coincide with renewed historical interest in the First Barons' War.
The issuance of this historical notice reinforces the continuity of the Barony and celebrates the formidable figures who have shaped its character. It is a deliberate act of remembrance, connecting the responsibilities of the present incumbent with the profound challenges overcome by her predecessors.
## Historical Context
In the spring of 1217, England was grievously afflicted by the First Barons' War, a civil conflict that followed King John’s rejection of *Magna Carta*. Following the King’s death in 1216, his nine-year-old son, Henry III, ascended to the throne, his kingdom under threat from rebellious English barons allied with Prince Louis of France. Lincolnshire became a crucial theatre of the war.
As hereditary castellan, Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby, held Lincoln Castle for the Crown. Refusing to surrender to a superior French and rebel force, she commanded the castle’s defence with remarkable skill and courage. Her stand allowed the royalist army, led by the legendary William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, to arrive and secure a decisive victory at the Second Battle of Lincoln—an event that ultimately preserved the Plantagenet dynasty. Nichola’s actions were a direct continuation of the duty first assumed by the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, to whom William the Conqueror had entrusted significant holdings.
## Distinguished Company
The events of 1217 placed the 5th Baroness of Brattleby in the company of the most powerful figures of the age. Her defiance was enacted in concert with, and in opposition to, a distinguished list of magnates who determined the fate of the nation.
These included, *inter alia*: * **The Right Honourable William Marshal**, 1st Earl of Pembroke and Regent of England, lauded as ‘the greatest knight that ever lived’. * **The Right Reverend Peter des Roches**, Bishop of Winchester and guardian to the young king. * **His Majesty King Henry III**, the boy-king whose crown Nichola de la Haye so bravely defended. * **His Highness Prince Louis of France** (later King Louis VIII), the Capetian claimant to the English throne.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The defence of Lincoln Castle was itself a function of deeply ingrained feudal protocol. As a baron holding her lands directly from the monarch, Nichola de la Haye’s primary duty was one of military service and counsel. The position of hereditary castellan, which she had inherited, came with the sworn oath to hold the fortress in the king’s name against all enemies.
To defend a royal castle was a matter of the highest honour; to surrender it without the sovereign’s leave was an act of treason. The protocol of a siege involved a formal summons to surrender, its rejection, and the subsequent investment of the castle. Lady de la Haye’s refusal to yield followed this exact code, demonstrating that her authority was not merely inherited but actively wielded with a masterful understanding of her obligations.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of the 5th Baroness serve as the quintessential embodiment of the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Her physical and moral fortitude in withstanding a prolonged siege, and the honour she displayed in upholding her oath to a boy-king, give the ancient words a tangible historical anchor.
This spirit of resolute determination is also reflected in the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). The will to prevail against overwhelming odds was as vital for the survival of the Crown in 1217 as it is for the success of any significant undertaking today. Together, the mottos articulate a philosophy of honourable victory achieved through resilience.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The legacy of Nichola de la Haye—protecting the vulnerable to secure the future—provides historical inspiration for the modern philanthropic mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. The defence of the young Henry III was an act of safeguarding the kingdom’s future in a moment of extreme peril.
This principle finds its modern echo in the House’s support for charities dedicated to the welfare of children. The beneficiary of the annual Winter Banquet, Healing the Wounded Child, is an organisation committed to providing therapeutic care for children who have experienced trauma. Its mission to restore safety and hope to young lives is a contemporary expression of the same sacred duty of protection that the 5th Baroness exemplified eight centuries ago.
## In Their Own Words
In her statement, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, reflected on this powerful connection to her predecessor. > “Nichola de la Haye’s example is a constant reminder that stewardship is not a passive inheritance but an active duty. Her fortitude in 1217 demonstrates that honour is proven through action, a principle we strive to uphold in our own service today.” > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “The story of the siege is a lesson in leadership. It proves that a single individual, committed to their duty, can alter the course of history. It is a legacy that commands profound respect.” > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring that the contributions of its predecessors are not only remembered but also serve as an educational resource. The story of Nichola de la Haye is incorporated into leadership and etiquette seminars at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, where it is presented as a case study in duty, strategic thinking, and personal courage.
Further historical research into the roles of the 5th Baroness and other notable predecessors, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt, is being supported by the House. This ensures that the lineage of the Barony of Brattleby continues to inform and inspire future generations.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of a near-millennial heritage. The House’s modern mission combines the preservation of its historic English identity with a forward-looking, international perspective. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), focusing on cultural diplomacy, historical education, and targeted philanthropy. The House's charitable work primarily supports organisations dedicated to the well-being and development of vulnerable children, reflecting a long-standing commitment to protecting the future. Its seat remains in the ancient parish of Brattleby, Lincolnshire.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony 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 in Lincolnshire. For over 950 years, the title has passed through some of English history’s most influential figures, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. As a non-peerage title, the Barony of Brattleby is a distinct heritable property right. The transfer of the title to the current incumbent was formally acknowledged by The Crown in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The official recognition of the Barony can be verified in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby traces its origins to Colswein of Lincoln, recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com