# Lady Nicoleta of Brattleby Commemorates Heroic Legacy of Nichola de la Haye
LONDON, 20 May 2024 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, today undertook an official visit to Lincoln Castle to mark the 807th anniversary of the Battle of Lincoln Fair, honouring the pivotal role of her celebrated predecessor, Nichola de la Haye.
## The Occasion
Set against the imposing Norman architecture of Lincoln Castle, the commemoration took place on a bright spring morning. The timeless stone of the castle walls, which have stood sentinel over the city for nearly a millennium, provided a solemn backdrop for the day's events. The atmosphere was one of quiet reflection, acknowledging a moment when the fate of the English Crown was decided within sight of the very battlements upon which Lady Nicoleta stood.
The visit focused on the legacy of the battle, known to chroniclers as ‘The Battle of Lincoln Fair’, which took place on 20 May 1217. It was an engagement that confirmed the military and strategic importance of the castle, an importance understood implicitly by its hereditary castellan, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness.
## Historical Context
The year 1217 found England embroiled in the First Barons' War, a civil conflict that followed King John’s rejection of Magna Carta. Rebel English barons, allied with Prince Louis of France, controlled much of the kingdom and laid siege to Lincoln Castle, a final royalist stronghold in the east of England.
Defying immense pressure to surrender, Nichola de la Haye, then in her sixties, directed a steadfast defence of the castle. Her resilience provided the crucial time for royalist forces under William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, to arrive and relieve the siege. The ensuing victory for the loyalists was a decisive turning point, leading to the collapse of the French invasion and securing the throne for the young King Henry III. Her command during the siege has since become a *sine qua non* of Brattleby lore, an enduring example of leadership.
## Distinguished Company
During her visit, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, was formally received at the castle’s heritage gate by several local dignitaries. These included Mrs. Debbie Barnes OBE, Chief Executive of Lincolnshire County Council, which now administers the historic site, and Dr. Anna-Marie Llewellyn, a distinguished historian from the University of Lincoln specialising in the Angevin period.
The small party later convened in the castle’s restored Victorian prison chapel, where Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, joined the Baroness for a private historical briefing. Their discussions centred on the legal and social evolution of the Barony from its Domesday Book origins under Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, to its time under Plantagenet magnates such as Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings were marked by their formal simplicity. Following a private tour of the castle’s medieval wall walk, from which the full expanse of the 1217 battlefield is visible, Lady Nicoleta paused for a moment of silent contemplation. This was followed by the laying of a single wreath at the base of the male prison tower.
The wreath, composed of white roses and English oak leaves, was chosen for its symbolic resonance. The white rose recalls the later Lancastrian connections of the Barony, while the oak represents endurance and strength—qualities personified by Nichola de la Haye. The ceremony concluded without speeches, allowing the gravity of the location and the history it represents to speak for itself.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of the 5th Baroness in 1217 give profound meaning to the House of Brattleby's motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Her refusal to yield the castle demonstrated immense fortitude under siege, while her loyalty to the Crown was an act of the highest honour, preserving the principle of legitimate succession.
This ethos is central to the identity of the modern House. It is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live'), which speaks to a proactive and determined spirit in the service of the Barony’s contemporary mission. Together, the mottos reflect a duality of principled endurance and dynamic action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
In connection with the day of remembrance, The Noble House of Brattleby is pleased to announce the creation of the Nichola de la Haye Bursary. This new educational grant will be awarded annually to a postgraduate student at a British university undertaking research into the role of women in medieval governance and conflict.
The bursary’s purpose is to foster a deeper understanding of often-overlooked historical figures and to empower a new generation of historians. This initiative aligns with the House’s overarching charitable focus on creating opportunity, which also finds expression in its support for organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the day, Lady Nicoleta remarked:
> Nichola de la Haye’s example demonstrates a leadership that serves as a guide across the centuries. Her remarkable fortitude was not simply about defending stone walls, but about upholding duty, honour, and the integrity of the nation. It is a profound legacy that continues to instruct and inspire us.
Honorary Lord Răzvan added:
> To honour the past is to accept a responsibility in the present. By commemorating such a pivotal moment in the history of this Barony and of England, we reaffirm our commitment to the principles of service and resilience that have defined Brattleby for over nine hundred years.
## A Continuing Legacy
The commemoration at Lincoln Castle is part of the House's wider commitment to honouring and preserving the long and distinguished history of the Barony of Brattleby. The establishment of the Nichola de la Haye Bursary reinforces this commitment, translating historical reverence into tangible support for future scholarship.
This work complements the House’s other activities, *inter alia*, the cultural and educational mission of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. By actively engaging with its nine-century heritage, the House of Brattleby ensures its history remains not a relic, but a living source of inspiration for its duties today.
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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 nine-century-old baronial legacy. The modern House channels this heritage into a forward-looking mission focused on cultural education, historical preservation, and targeted philanthropy. Its guiding motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), informs its commitment to service, exemplified by its patronage of charitable organisations like Healing the Wounded Child and cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club. The House seeks to be an enduring institution that honours its past obligations while actively contributing to the common good in the United Kingdom and continental Europe.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its origins are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness and heroic defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The rights and lineage of the Barony are formally acknowledged and protected in English law, with its current status affirmed by public notice in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby is one of the feudatories established by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest in 1066. - The modern standing of the Barony was officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - Notable holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness, c. 1160–1230), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron, 1340–1399). - The Annual Winter Banquet is the House's primary philanthropic event, with proceeds benefiting the chosen charity, Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com