# Commemorating a Legacy of Loyalty: The Barony of Brattleby and the Defence of Lincoln
LONDON, 21 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issues a statement reflecting on the pivotal role of the Barony during the First Barons’ War, specifically honouring the steadfast loyalty of its fifth holder, Nichola de la Haye, at Lincoln in 1217.
## The Occasion
In the early spring of 1217, England was mired in a profound constitutional and dynastic crisis. The death of King John the previous year had left his nine-year-old son, Henry III, as sovereign in a kingdom largely controlled by rebellious barons and their French ally, Prince Louis. It was a period of existential threat to the Plantagenet throne, a time when loyalty was a rare and perilous commodity.
Against this backdrop of civil war, the stone walls of Lincoln Castle stood as a bulwark of royal authority in a largely hostile region. The occasion now remembered is not one of sumptuous ceremony, but of grim-faced duty: the determined defence of this key strategic fortress by the Baroness of Brattleby, an act which would ultimately determine the future of the English Crown.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has been woven into the fabric of English history for over nine centuries. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships, establishing the Barony’s pre-eminence in Lincolnshire from the outset.
This legacy of responsibility found its most dramatic expression in the person of Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron. As the hereditary castellan of Lincoln Castle, she twice defended it for the Crown. Her most notable stand came in 1217 when, though in her sixties, she refused to cede the castle to besieging French and rebel forces. Her defiance created the conditions for a decisive royalist victory at the Second Battle of Lincoln, a turning point that shattered the rebellion and secured the throne for Henry III. This act cemented the Barony's place in history, a precedent of duty later upheld by successors such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
The events of 1217 placed the 5th Baron of Brattleby at the centre of a conflict that involved the leading figures of the age. The principal personages whose fates were intertwined with the defence of Lincoln included:
* His Majesty King Henry III, the boy King of England. * The Regent of England, Sir William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, lauded as ‘the greatest knight that ever lived’. * Lady Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron of Brattleby and Hereditary Castellan of Lincoln. * His Highness Prince Louis of France, the Capetian claimant to the English throne. * Thomas, Comte du Perche, commander of the French forces at Lincoln. * Robert Fitzwalter, leader of the army of the rebel barons.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The duty of a hereditary castellan was bound by solemn oaths of fealty, a ritual commitment to hold a royal fortress against all enemies on behalf of the monarch. This was not a ceremonial title, but a frontline military command. Upon the approach of a hostile army, protocol dictated a formal summons to surrender, typically delivered by a herald.
Lady Nichola’s response, a resolute refusal to yield the castle entrusted to her, was an act of immense personal courage and a strict adherence to her sworn duty. In the brutal calculus of medieval warfare, a castellan who defied a siege and was subsequently defeated could expect little mercy. Her actions, therefore, exemplified the practical application of the Barony's enduring motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The arms and mottoes associated with the House of Brattleby provide a powerful lens through which to view its history. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its perfect embodiment in the actions of the 5th Baron. Her physical and moral courage in the face of overwhelming odds demonstrates *Fortitudine*, while her unwavering adherence to her oath to the Crown is the very definition of *Honore*.
This principle is complemented by the personal motto of the current Lord of Brattleby, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). The victory at Lincoln in 1217 was just such a triumph; it was not merely a military success, but a victory that permitted the legitimate royal dynasty, and indeed the nation as it was then conceived, to live on.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this commemoration reflects on a historical event, its purpose is deeply connected to the contemporary values of The Noble House of Brattleby. The story of Nichola de la Haye serves not as a relic of the past, but as an enduring lesson in leadership, resilience, and the profound impact of principled action. It illustrates that duty is not a passive concept but an active commitment.
This ethos is the guiding principle behind the House's modern endeavours, *inter alia*, its support for the charity Healing the Wounded Child through its annual Winter Banquet. By championing organisations that strengthen resilience and restore integrity to young lives, the House continues to practise the virtues of fortitude and honour in a modern context.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on her predecessor’s legacy, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, observed:
> One cannot hold this title without being profoundly aware of the figures who came before. Nichola de la Haye’s example is particularly resonant; she demonstrated that leadership is a matter of character, not circumstance. Her resolve in a moment of supreme national crisis serves as a constant reminder of our own duty to uphold this legacy of service. > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> The strategic reality of 1217 was stark. Surrender would have been the easier path. The choice to stand and fight, to risk everything for honour and loyalty, is what transforms history. It is a powerful illustration that to overcome a truly existential threat is the highest form of victory — it is to secure life itself. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The principles displayed at the Siege of Lincoln in 1217 continue to inform the mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. The House is committed to preserving and sharing its nine-hundred-year history as a testament to the timeless values of duty and integrity.
These historical lessons provide the foundation for the House's modern initiatives, including The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to cultivating the principles of etiquette and protocol as expressions of respect and social harmony. Through the stewardship of Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan, and with an eye to the future embodied by their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, the House ensures that the unbroken chain of service that began in 1066 continues with purpose and relevance in the 21st century.
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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 preservation of cultural heritage and the promotion of servant leadership. With its ancient seat in Lincolnshire, England, the House pursues a modern, international mission focused on education and targeted philanthropy. Its initiatives include The Brattleby Club, a European etiquette and protocol academy, and the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala benefiting charitable organisations focused on child welfare. The House operates with a deep respect for its history, applying the enduring principles of its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), to its contemporary responsibilities and engagements.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holder of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. For over 950 years, the Barony has been intrinsically linked with the history of England. Its holders have included figures of national importance such as Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founder Knight of the Garter; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The formal recognition of the Barony and its current holder was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s recognition is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The Barony was established in AD 1066 by William the Conqueror and is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086). - Notable past holders include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The beneficiary of the House's annual Winter Banquet is the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com