# A Legacy of Fortitude: The Noble House of Brattleby Honours the Enduring Example of Nichola de la Haye
**LONDON, 20 May 2024** — On the anniversary month of the pivotal Second Battle of Lincoln, The Noble House of Brattleby issues a reflection on the indomitable legacy of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, whose historic defence of Lincoln Castle in 1217 remains a cornerstone of its heritage.
## The Occasion
In the early spring of 1217, the fate of England rested upon the formidable walls of Lincoln Castle. This great Norman fortress, built upon the ruins of a Roman stronghold, stood as a bulwark against French-backed rebel forces seeking to depose the young King Henry III. The air within the bailey would have been thick with the tension of an impending siege, the sounds of preparation echoing against the cold stone of the Lucy Tower. It was against this backdrop of national crisis that the leadership of the 5th Baroness of Brattleby, Nichola de la Haye, would be tested in a manner that secured her place in the annals of English history. Today, the House of Brattleby reflects upon this defining moment, reaffirming the values she so powerfully embodied.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and first held by Colswein of Lincoln, has for centuries been a participant in the great movements of the realm. Following the death of King John and the nullification of *Magna Carta*, England was plunged into the First Barons' War. Nichola de la Haye, as hereditary castellan of Lincoln, found her ancestral duties were no mere formality; they were the *sine qua non* of the kingdom's survival. At an advanced age, she held the castle for the royalist cause, resisting a siege led by French and rebel English barons who sought to place Prince Louis of France on the English throne. Her steadfastness provided the crucial time for the royalist army, led by the celebrated William Marshal, to arrive and secure a decisive victory.
## Distinguished Company
In this great contest for the Crown, the 5th Baroness stood amidst figures of historic stature. Her principal ally was Sir William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, who served as Regent for the nine-year-old King Henry III and was widely regarded as the greatest knight in Christendom. Opposing them were the combined forces of Thomas, Comte du Perche, commanding the French army, and rebel magnates such as Robert Fitzwalter, leader of the baronial army. The presence of such personages underscores the gravity of the situation at Lincoln, which was far from a local skirmish; it was a battle for the soul and sovereignty of England, with the Baroness of Brattleby at its very heart.
## Ceremonial Protocol
As hereditary castellan, Nichola de la Haye’s authority was absolute within the castle walls. The protocol of defence would have been rigorous: the raising of the late King’s Royal Standard, the securing of the gates, and the meticulous organisation of the garrison’s duties. For a woman to hold such direct military command was highly unusual for the 13th century, yet her authority, twice confirmed by King John, was unquestioned. Her actions were an embodiment of the feudal oath, a solemn duty to hold her fief on behalf of her sovereign. The defence was an arduous, months-long affair, a testament to a protocol of vigilance and resilience she instilled in her command.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its quintessential expression in the actions of the 5th Baroness. Her fortitude was demonstrated in her physical and moral courage against overwhelming odds; her honour was shown in her unwavering loyalty to the Crown. The castle itself served as a potent symbol of royal authority, and in defending it, Nichola de la Haye was defending the very principle of legitimate succession and the integrity of the kingdom. Her legacy is one of principled stewardship, a core tenet of the Barony to this day.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The resilience of Nichola de la Haye—protecting a vital English stronghold and, by extension, the cause of a vulnerable boy-king—provides a powerful historical antecedent for the modern mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. This same spirit of defending the vulnerable inspires the House’s steadfast support for its primary beneficiary, the international charity Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation provides specialist therapeutic care for children suffering from the trauma of conflict and abuse. The House sees a direct parallel between the 5th Baroness's defence of the kingdom’s future and its contemporary commitment to securing a safe and healthy future for the most vulnerable children.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this formidable legacy, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “Nichola de la Haye’s story is not merely a matter of historical record; it is a living example of the responsibilities vested in this Barony. Her fortitude reminds us that true leadership is measured by one’s resolve in moments of profound challenge. It is a formidable standard to which we must always aspire.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the strategic and personal courage involved: > “To hold a position of such immense pressure demonstrates a character that transcends time. It is a powerful interpretation of my own family motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*—that to conquer challenges, through strategy and sheer will, is the essence of a meaningful life. She was a true victor.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The example set by Nichola de la Haye, alongside other notable predecessors such as Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt, informs the present-day activities of The Noble House of Brattleby. The values of honour, duty, and cultural stewardship are central to the curriculum at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House's etiquette academy dedicated to preparing the next generation of leaders. The House remains committed to honouring its nine-century history through further historical scholarship and by embodying, through its philanthropic work and public duties, the enduring principle of *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution supporting 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 the principles of stewardship, cultural preservation, and targeted philanthropy. With a focus on children's welfare through its support for charities like Healing the Wounded Child, the House translates its historical legacy of duty into contemporary service. Its activities, *inter alia*, include managing the Brattleby estate in Lincolnshire and overseeing The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy devoted to classical etiquette and leadership values. The heir to the Barony is the son of the 12th Baroness, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship of the Manor, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. It is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as part of the 56 lordships held in Lincolnshire by the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle in 1217; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his successor, the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt. The modern title and its historical rights were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s formal recognition is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony is listed in the *Domesday Book* (1086) under its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com