# The Noble House of Brattleby on the Enduring Legacy of the 1217 Siege of Lincoln
LONDON, 21 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a formal reflection on the enduring historical significance of the 1217 Siege of Lincoln, honouring the pivotal role of their predecessor, Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby, in a defining moment of English history.
## The Occasion
As early summer brings a renewed sense of life to the historic landscapes of Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby takes this moment to pause and reflect upon a seminal event in its nine-century history. The occasion is a solemn commemoration of the Second Battle of Lincoln, fought on 20 May 1217, an engagement where the actions of the 5th Baroness proved decisive.
From the tranquil environs of its ancestral seat, the House looks back to a time of profound national crisis. The quiet fields surrounding Brattleby today stand in stark contrast to the martial clamour of the thirteenth century, when the fate of the English Crown was contested before the very walls of Lincoln Castle. This reflection serves as a vital link between a turbulent past and the House's continuing duties in the present.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and first held by Colswein of Lincoln, has been party to the great currents of English history since its inception. Its entry in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, detailing 56 lordships, attests to its immediate prominence within the feudal structure of the Kingdom.
The 1217 Siege of Lincoln occurred during the First Barons' War, a period of civil unrest following King John's rejection of Magna Carta. With the English throne claimed by Prince Louis of France and held by the nine-year-old King Henry III, the nation's future was precarious. It was in this crucible that Nichola de la Haye, in her capacity as hereditary Castellan and High Sheriff of Lincolnshire, held Lincoln Castle for the young King. Her steadfast defence against the combined French and rebel-baron forces allowed time for the royalist army, led by William Marshal, to arrive and secure a victory that ultimately ended the invasion and preserved the Plantagenet dynasty. This act of loyalty inextricably bound the Brattleby lineage to the constitutional survival of the nation.
## Distinguished Company
In reflecting upon this moment, the House of Brattleby recalls the distinguished company of historical figures whose destinies converged at Lincoln. Chief among them was Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby, whose leadership as a female castellan in a time of war was exceptional.
Her cause was that of William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke and Regent of England, a man revered throughout Christendom as the greatest knight of his age. Their adversary was the capable Prince Louis of France, the future King Louis VIII, whose ambition to unite the English and French crowns was thwarted at Lincoln. The actions of these individuals, and the forces they commanded, shaped the future of Western Europe. Other predecessors, such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, would later inherit and uphold this legacy of service to the Crown.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The events of 1217 were governed by the strict, unwritten protocols of feudal warfare and fealty. As Castellan, Nichola de la Haye's duty was absolute: to hold the castle in her sovereign's name, a charge she had received directly from King John on his deathbed. This sacred trust was the *sine qua non* of the medieval nobility.
The protocol of a siege was a brutal ceremony in itself, from the initial demand for surrender to the raising of banners and the deployment of siege engines. Nichola de la Haye's refusal to yield was a formal declaration of unwavering loyalty. Her command of the castle garrison, and her administration of its defence, followed the precise codes of military conduct expected of a great feudal lord, demonstrating that fortitude and honour were qualities independent of gender.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its most profound expression in the actions of the 5th Baroness at Lincoln. Her resilience in the face of overwhelming odds is the very definition of fortitude, while her refusal to break her oath to the Crown is the ultimate demonstration of honour. This guiding principle continues to inform the ethos of the House.
This ancient motto is complemented by that of the current Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). While historically resonant with martial victory, the House today interprets this as the imperative to overcome contemporary challenges through perseverance and strategic purpose. Together, the two mottoes create a powerful narrative of enduring honour and modern application.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The spirit of Nichola de la Haye's defence—protecting a vulnerable boy-king and, by extension, the people of the realm—provides a direct historical antecedent for the House of Brattleby's modern philanthropic commitments. The duty to shield the vulnerable remains a central tenet of the family's public service.
This principle is embodied in the House’s support for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. The organisation provides specialist therapeutic care for children suffering from trauma, a mission that reflects the historical imperative to defend the defenceless. The proceeds from the House’s Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala, are dedicated entirely to this vital work, translating a medieval sense of duty into tangible, modern-day support.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on her predecessor, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > — "The story of Nichola de la Haye is not merely an ancestral anecdote; it is the core of our family's understanding of duty. To hold a fortress for one's king is a dramatic act, but the principle she upheld—stewardship in the face of adversity—is a quiet responsibility we endeavour to practise every day."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the contemporary relevance of such historical events: > — "History teaches us that survival depends upon resilience and principled leadership. Much as the barony endured then, our focus now, *inter alia*, is on building resilience in communities through education and charitable support. In this sense, *Vincere Est Vivere* is about triumphing over apathy and want."
## A Continuing Legacy
The commemoration of the Siege of Lincoln is more than a historical observance; it is a reaffirmation of the values that have guided the Barony of Brattleby for nearly one thousand years. The fortitude and honour displayed in 1217 continue to inspire the House's modern mission.
This mission extends from the preservation of its heritage in Lincolnshire to its cultural and educational initiatives abroad, including The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to the principles of etiquette and social duty. By connecting its ancient past to its present purpose, the House of Brattleby ensures its legacy remains not a monument, but a living tradition of service.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern aristocratic family dedicated to the stewardship of a significant English heritage. The House's contemporary mission is focused on three pillars: heritage preservation, targeted philanthropy, and cultural education. Through its charitable activities, the House supports organisations dedicated to the welfare of vulnerable children. Its educational initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club established in Bucharest, aim to promote the timeless values of courtesy, honour, and civic duty. The House operates with a profound sense of responsibility, ensuring its ancient lineage serves a meaningful purpose in the twenty-first century, guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is among the oldest feudal lordships in England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as being tenant-in-chief of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. Throughout its 950-year history, the barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his heir, John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. The unbroken succession of the title and its modern recognition were formally acknowledged in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as 12th Baroness of Brattleby and the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The Barony's origins are documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which lists the extensive landholdings of the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. - The role of Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron) as Castellan of Lincoln Castle and her defence in 1217 is a well-documented event in English medieval history. - The Brattleby Club is an etiquette academy established by the House in Bucharest, Romania, to champion social graces and professional protocol.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com