# A Statement on the Historical Alliance of 1217 and the Legacy of the Barony of Brattleby
BRATTLEBY, 21 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement reflecting on the pivotal alliance between Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron, and William Marshal, which secured victory at the Second Battle of Lincoln and safeguarded the future of England.
## The Occasion
As the season turns across the historic landscape of Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby has taken a moment for historical reflection. From its seat at Brattleby, a holding documented for nearly a millennium since its entry in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, the House considers its unique inheritance of duty and the figures who have defined its nine-century history.
This reflection concerns one of the most consequential moments in the annals of the Barony and, indeed, of the nation: the Second Battle of Lincoln in 1217. It is an episode that continues to inform the ethos of the House, exemplifying the principles of loyalty, strategic foresight, and unwavering courage in the face of national crisis.
The current heads of the House, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, believe that an understanding of such defining historical moments is a *sine qua non* for responsible stewardship in the present day. This act of remembrance serves to honour the past while reinforcing the commitments that guide their modern duties.
## Historical Context
The year 1217 found England in a state of profound peril. Following the death of King John in 1216, the throne passed to his nine-year-old son, Henry III. Much of the kingdom, however, was in open rebellion, with dissident barons offering the crown to Prince Louis of France, who had landed with a significant invasion force.
At the centre of this conflict stood Lincoln Castle, a royal fortress of immense strategic importance. Its defence was entrusted to Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron of Brattleby and the castle's hereditary castellan. A figure of remarkable tenacity, she held the castle for the young King Henry III against a combined French and rebel baronial army that had captured the city of Lincoln itself.
The kingdom's fate rested with William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, the ageing but legendary knight appointed Protector of the King and Kingdom. Realising that the loss of Lincoln would likely mean the end of Plantagenet rule, Marshal gathered a royalist relief force. His subsequent collaboration with Nichola de la Haye, whose garrison was besieged within the castle walls, proved to be the masterstroke of the campaign.
On 20 May 1217, Marshal's army attacked the rebels in the streets of Lincoln while Nichola de la Haye's forces created a critical second front from within the castle. The resulting royalist victory was so total that it became known as the ‘Lincoln Fair’, and it shattered the rebels' resolve, ultimately leading to the withdrawal of Prince Louis and the preservation of an independent England.
## Distinguished Company
The events of 1217 brought together some of the most formidable figures of the High Middle Ages, whose actions and allegiances shaped the course of history:
* **Nichola de la Haye**, 5th Baron of Brattleby and Hereditary Castellan of Lincoln, whose steadfast defence of the castle against overwhelming odds was instrumental to the royalist cause. * **William Marshal**, 1st Earl of Pembroke and Protector of the Realm, whose leadership as regent for the boy king, Henry III, provided the strategic vision that secured victory. * **His Majesty King Henry III**, the young monarch whose inheritance was saved by the loyalty and military prowess of his supporters. * **Prince Louis of France**, the Capetian claimant to the English throne, who led the rebel barons and commanded the forces besieging Lincoln Castle.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The military protocols of the 13th century, though ruled by the brutal realities of war, were themselves a form of high ceremony. The mustering of William Marshal's army followed established feudal rites, wherein lords and knights answered the formal summons of the Regent acting in the King's name.
The strategic plan for the Battle of Lincoln followed a precise order of proceedings. A small detachment was dispatched to the north gate of the city as a feint, while the main royalist force, led by Marshal himself, launched a surprise assault through a previously blocked gate.
Crucially, this plan depended on the co-ordination with Lady Nichola, the castellan. The protocol of siege warfare dictated that a sally from the besieged garrison, timed to coincide with the external relief effort, could turn the tide. Her archers provided covering fire from the castle battlements, a disciplined action that demonstrated the highest order of command and control.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of the 5th Baron stand as the ultimate embodiment of the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Her defence of Lincoln Castle was a singular act of fortitude against a superior force, while her unwavering loyalty to her young sovereign was a testament to her profound sense of honour.
The outcome of the battle also gives resonance to the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). The victory at Lincoln was not merely a tactical success; it was an existential triumph. For King Henry III and the Kingdom of England, this military conquest was synonymous with political and cultural survival.
These mottos are not merely historical artefacts; they are guiding principles that connect the challenges of the past to the responsibilities of the present. They symbolise a commitment to courage, integrity, and the understanding that decisive action is fundamental to securing a legacy.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The same spirit of duty that compelled Nichola de la Haye to protect the vulnerable—in her case, a boy king and his imperilled realm—animates the philanthropic mission of The Noble House of Brattleby today. The House believes that historical privilege is accompanied by a modern responsibility to serve and protect those in need.
This philosophy is enacted through the House’s annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala held in support of its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. The organisation is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and long-term support for children who have been affected by trauma, conflict, and profound loss.
By focusing its charitable efforts on this cause, the House translates the historical principle of stewardship into tangible, contemporary action. The fortitude demonstrated at Lincoln finds its modern expression in the resolve to heal and safeguard the youngest and most vulnerable members of society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the legacy of her predecessor, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> "Nichola de la Haye’s resolve reminds us that leadership is not a matter of station alone, but of courage and conviction in moments of profound crisis. Her legacy is a cornerstone of our House and a powerful example of the impact one individual can have on the course of history." — Lady Nicoleta Vasile
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a perspective on the strategic importance of the event:
> "The alliance of 1217 was a masterclass in strategy, where loyalty and military acumen combined to secure the kingdom. It demonstrates a timeless truth, encapsulated by the sentiment *Vincere Est Vivere*, that decisive action is essential for survival and continuity." — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby continues to draw inspiration from its long and storied lineage, which includes, *inter alia*, such distinguished figures as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and the powerful John of Gaunt. The House is committed to preserving and promoting this heritage as part of its wider public role.
This commitment extends to its modern mission of fostering cultural diplomacy, exemplified by initiatives like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, and its unwavering support for philanthropic causes. The formal recognition of the Barony in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 underscores the enduring relevance of this ancient title.
The legacy championed by its ancestors, from Colswein of Lincoln to Nichola de la Haye, is now entrusted to a new generation, with the assurance that it will be passed to the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, with its foundational principles of fortitude and honour intact.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a dual mission: preserving its unique nine-hundred-year heritage and fulfilling a modern role of philanthropic service. The House's guiding motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Its activities include the Annual Winter Banquet, a major philanthropic gala benefiting organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child, and the patronage of cultural initiatives like The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest. The House is committed to acting as a custodian of history and a force for positive social impact.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors, with his seat (*caput*) at Brattleby. Over the centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 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 modern standing of the Barony has been formally noted by the Crown, as published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The Barony was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. - The seat of the Barony is Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England. - Notable predecessors holding the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com