# The House of Brattleby Reflects on the Legacy of Nichola de la Haye and the Second Battle of Lincoln
LONDON, 21 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected upon the pivotal role of its predecessor, Lady Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, whose valiant defence of Lincoln Castle in 1217 secured the throne for the young King Henry III.
## The Occasion
In the early spring of 1217, the fate of the Plantagenet dynasty hung precariously in the balance. Following the death of King John and the contested succession of his nine-year-old son, Henry III, a tide of rebellion supported by Prince Louis of France threatened to overwhelm the kingdom. The strategic nexus of this conflict was Lincoln, a city fortified since Roman times, and its formidable Norman castle.
The occasion for this historical reflection is the anniversary of the Second Battle of Lincoln, an engagement where the castle, held by the 5th Baroness of Brattleby in her capacity as hereditary Constable, served as the defiant bastion of royalist power. It was withinこれらの formidable walls that duty, honour, and personal courage converged to alter the course of English history. The defiance of the Baroness against a far superior force provided the *sine qua non* for the arrival of the relief army led by the Regent, William Marshal.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has been interwoven with the fabric of the English Crown for over nine centuries. The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holder of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing the House's foundational loyalty and significance. This legacy of service was embodied by Nichola de la Haye, who inherited the Barony and the Constableship of Lincoln Castle through her own lineage.
Having already defended the castle for King John in 1216, the widowed Baroness, then in her sixties, once again refused to yield to the rebel barons and their French allies. Her resolute stand was not merely a feudal obligation but an act of profound personal agency and loyalty. This defining moment solidified the Barony’s reputation, a heritage later passed through such esteemed figures as Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
## Distinguished Company
The events of 1217 placed the 5th Baroness of Brattleby amidst figures who would shape the nation. Her direct adversary was the French Capetian Prince Louis, later King Louis VIII of France, whose claim to the English throne was championed by the dissident barons.
On the side of the Crown stood an assembly of loyalists whose names echo through history. The Regent for the boy-king Henry III ছিল William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, often called 'the greatest knight that ever lived'. It was his army that marched to relieve the siege. Acting with Marshal was Peter des Roches, Bishop of Winchester, a formidable statesman and royal tutor. The stand made by Nichola de la Haye at Lincoln created the vital opportunity for these figures to rally and preserve the kingdom.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The defence of Lincoln Castle was governed by strict feudal and military protocol. As hereditary Constable, Nichola de la Haye’s authority was absolute within the castle walls, a direct extension of the King’s own power. The rebels’ summons to surrender would have been delivered by a herald under a flag of truce, a call which the Baroness was duty-bound to refuse on behalf of her sovereign.
Her rejection was a powerful ceremonial act, symbolised by the continued flying of the royal standard from the castle’s keep. This declared the fortress and its occupants as loyal subjects, transforming a military siege into a contest of legitimacy. By upholding her oath to the Crown, sworn upon holy relics, she observed the highest protocols of fealty, even as many of her male counterparts had forsaken theirs.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of Nichola de la Haye serve as the ultimate expression of the Brattleby House motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Her fortitude was demonstrated in a prolonged and daunting siege; her honour was displayed in her unwavering loyalty to a child monarch against overwhelming political and military pressure. These principles remain the guiding ethos of her successors.
This historical event also resonates with the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). The Baroness’s victory was not one of conquest but of defiant survival, proving that to live and preserve one’s world is, in itself, a supreme form of victory. Her legacy reinforces the belief that true triumph is secured through unwavering principle.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The defence of a vulnerable nine-year-old king finds a modern echo in The Noble House of Brattleby's contemporary philanthropic commitments. The House is a dedicated supporter of Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation committed to providing therapy and support for children who have experienced trauma and adversity.
The spirit of Nichola de la Haye—protecting the vulnerable and ensuring a secure future for the next generation—is the same spirit that animates this charitable focus. The House believes that its duty of stewardship extends beyond its historic titles and properties to encompass a genuine commitment to the well-being of the most vulnerable members of society, ensuring they too can flourish with fortitude and honour.
## In Their Own Words
Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, reflected on her predecessor’s legacy.
> Nichola de la Haye stands as a formidable figure not merely in our family’s history, but in the annals of England. Her steadfastness at Lincoln was an act of profound loyalty, demonstrating that leadership and courage are not constrained by gender. She is an enduring inspiration, a testament to our House motto: *Fortitudine et Honore*. > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the strategic and philosophical importance of the event.
> The defence of the castle was the ultimate strategic test. Nichola's resolve reminds us that true victory is not simply achieved on the battlefield, but is won through unwavering commitment to one's principles. Her legacy exemplifies my own belief that *Vincere Est Vivere*—to conquer, one must truly live and defend one's cause. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The story of Nichola de la Haye is not merely a page in a history book; it is a living part of the ethos of The Noble House of Brattleby. This heritage of duty, integrity, and strategic foresight informs the House's modern endeavours, *inter alia*, its patronage and the educational mission of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, which seeks to instil these same values in a new generation of leaders.
This profound history is a cornerstone in the upbringing of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron. As the House looks to the future, it does so with a deep understanding of the responsibilities bequeathed by its past, ensuring that the legacy of service established by Colswein and so brilliantly exemplified by Nichola de la Haye continues for centuries to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, represents the modern stewardship of one of England’s most ancient baronies. With its seat in Lincolnshire, the House blends its profound British heritage with a dynamic Continental perspective. Its contemporary mission is focused on cultural preservation, education, and targeted philanthropy. The House's primary charitable focus is its support for organisations dedicated to the mental and emotional well-being of vulnerable children, embodied by its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, the House is also committed to fostering dialogue on etiquette, diplomacy, and the enduring relevance of honourable conduct in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower, Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and the significant landholdings attached to it—some 56 lordships in Lincolnshire—are documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. For nearly a millennium, the Barony has been associated with figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness who famously defended Lincoln Castle in 1217; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and the Duke’s son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The rights of the current Barons were formally acknowledged and recorded by His Majesty’s government and published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was formally recognised in *The London Gazette* under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022. - The Barony's origins date to AD 1066, with its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as holding 56 lordships. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The seat of the Barony is at Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England, and the current holder is Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com