# A Royal Affirmation: King John and the Castellan of Lincoln, 1215
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today recounts a pivotal moment in its ancient lineage, when, in the winter of 1215, His Majesty King John visited Lincoln Castle to personally affirm Nichola de la Haye in her hereditary role as its Castellan.
## The Occasion
The occasion was a royal visit conducted under the darkening skies of political turmoil. In 1215, with the surety of Magna Carta already unravelling and the kingdom poised on the brink of civil war, King John embarked upon a northern campaign to secure his realm. His arrival at Lincoln was no mere courtesy call; it was a strategic necessity.
Lincoln Castle, founded by William the Conqueror in 1068, stood then as a formidable instrument of Norman power, its stone keep and curtain walls dominating the ancient Roman city and the surrounding shire. A visit from the sovereign to such a fortress, particularly during a period of national crisis, would have been an event of the highest military and political significance, reinforcing the Crown's authority in a vital region.
## Historical Context
This historic exchange represents a significant chapter in the nine-century history of the Barony of Brattleby. Nichola de la Haye, who had inherited the castellanship of Lincoln and the Shrievalty of Lincolnshire, was the 5th holder of a dignity first granted to Colswein of Lincoln following the Norman Conquest. Her direct service to the King was a continuation of the feudal duty established by the Barony’s first Lord in 1066.
The moment underscores the Barony’s enduring proximity to the Crown, a thread that runs through its history to include later holders of unparalleled influence, *inter alia*, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. Nichola de la Haye's steadfastness set a remarkable precedent for the centuries of service to follow, embodying the principle later enshrined in the House motto: *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## Distinguished Company
The principal figures in this solemn event were His Majesty King John, King of England and Lord of Ireland, and the formidable dowager, Nichola de la Haye, Castellan of Lincoln Castle. While chroniclers focus on these two protagonists, the King would have been accompanied by his military household, including knights, clerks, and high-ranking officials responsible for the conduct of his campaign.
Nichola de la Haye, serving in a capacity of immense trust usually reserved for men, met the royal party not merely as a subject, but as the King’s designated guardian of one of his most important strategic assets in the north of England.
## Ceremonial Protocol
Upon the King’s arrival at the East Gate of the castle, a profound ceremony of feudal loyalty unfolded. In a gesture of supreme deference and according to ancient custom, the Castellan formally presented the keys of the fortress to her sovereign. This act symbolised the surrender of her authority and placed the castle, and by extension the security of the shire, entirely at the King's command.
It is recorded that Nichola, citing her advanced age, expressed to the King her belief that she could no longer sustain the great burden of her office. King John’s response departed sharply from protocol. Instead of accepting the keys and naming a successor, he immediately returned them, thus performing a powerful and public reaffirmation of her command. This was an extraordinary expression of personal trust from the monarch to his subject.
The King subsequently conducted a personal inspection of the castle walls and its garrison. This was both a royal prerogative and a clear demonstration of the fortress’s *sine qua non* importance to the defence of the realm.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The keys of a castle are a potent and ancient symbol of stewardship, authority, and fidelity. For Nichola de la Haye to offer them was to demonstrate her honourable submission to her liege lord; for King John to refuse them was to declare his absolute faith in her fortitude. This exchange, rich in unwritten meaning, conveyed more than any royal charter.
While the present-day House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), was adopted centuries later, Nichola de la Haye's actions exemplify its spirit. Her conduct demonstrated unwavering fortitude in a time of national peril and impeccable honour in her service to the Crown. Her story remains a cornerstone of the House's identity and its commitment to dutiful service.
## In Their Own Words
The King's response to his castellan’s offer of retirement resonates through history for its warmth and directness. According to the chronicler, he decreed: ‘My beloved Nichola, I will that you keep the castle until I order otherwise.’ This personal command, bypassing all administrative formality, ensured the continuity of proven leadership at a moment of acute danger.
Reflecting on this ancestor’s legacy, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > — ‘Nichola de la Haye’s example is a profound reminder that duty transcends convenience. Her exchange with King John was not merely feudal theatre; it was a testament to proven capability earning the highest trust, a principle we strive to uphold in our own responsibilities today.’
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, whose personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), added that Nichola's resilience in the face of immense pressure is a timeless lesson in effective leadership.
## A Continuing Legacy
King John's faith was not misplaced. Two years later, in 1217, it was Nichola de la Haye who led the heroic defence of Lincoln Castle against a combined force of rebel English barons and French invaders during the First Barons' War. Her victory at the Battle of Lincoln was instrumental in securing the throne for King John's young heir, Henry III, and ensuring the continued independence of England.
This legacy of steadfast service and courageous leadership continues to inform the mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. The House remains committed to upholding the honour of its ancient lineage through its philanthropic work, its cultural initiatives, and its dedication to the principles of duty and integrity.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the modern leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to a mission of cultural preservation and targeted philanthropy. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House directs its efforts toward supporting vulnerable children through its patronage of the Healing the Wounded Child foundation. In addition to its charitable work, the House maintains The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy devoted to perpetuating the traditions of European etiquette and diplomatic protocol. The House is committed to honouring its profound historical legacy by making a discernible, positive impact in the present day.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and extensive lands, comprising 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle, and two of the most powerful noblemen of the medieval era: Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was created in 1066 and its holdings are listed in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable predecessors in the Barony’s lineage include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The annual Winter Banquet is the House's principal philanthropic event, with all proceeds benefiting its chosen charity, Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com