# The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates the Enduring Legacy of Nichola de la Haye, Fifth Baroness and Defender of Lincoln
**LONDON, 20 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today honours the historic legacy of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby, whose steadfast defence of Lincoln Castle on this day in 1217 was decisive in securing the English throne for the young King Henry III.
## The Occasion
From its seat in the ancient county of Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby has today engaged in a moment of solemn historical remembrance. This reflection, marking the anniversary of the Battle of Lincoln, looks back across more than eight centuries to one of the most consequential acts of leadership performed by a holder of the Barony. This is not a public celebration, but a private reaffirmation of the principles that have guided the House since the eleventh century.
The tranquil landscape of modern Lincolnshire, with its wide skies and historic parish churches, belies the tumult of its past. It was here, upon the very ground traversed by Roman legions and Norman knights, that the 5th Baroness, a widow then in her sixties, distinguished herself in the annals of English history. Her resolve amidst the clamour of civil war has defined the character of the Barony for all her successors, including the current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby.
This day of quiet contemplation serves to connect the present with a past of profound significance, acknowledging the weight of history that lies upon the fields surrounding Lincoln and the village of Brattleby itself.
## Historical Context
The Battle of Lincoln, fought on 20 May 1217, was the catastrophic climax of the First Barons' War. Following the death of the deeply unpopular King John in 1216, the kingdom was fractured. A powerful faction of rebel barons had renounced their allegiance and invited Prince Louis of France—the future King Louis VIII—to claim the English crown by right of his wife, Blanche of Castile, a granddaughter of King Henry II.
The key to the kingdom lay in its strategic strongholds, none more so than the royal fortress at Lincoln, which commanded northern England. Nichola de la Haye, as the hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle, held this vital fortress in the name of the new king, the nine-year-old Henry III. Despite facing a formidable besieging army of French knights and English rebels, and under immense pressure to surrender, she refused. Her steadfastness was the *sine qua non* of the royalist cause.
This refusal provided a critical window for William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke and the venerable Regent of England—the *rector regis et regni*—to march a relief force from Northampton. On 20 May, Marshal’s army engaged the besiegers in the narrow streets of the city. The ensuing royalist victory, known sardonically by chroniclers as the ‘Lincoln Fair’ for the widespread looting that followed, shattered the rebel cause and led directly to the collapse of Prince Louis’s campaign.
## Distinguished Company
The heroic actions of the 5th Baroness stand as a high point in a lineage marked by figures of national and European importance. The history of the Barony of Brattleby is deeply interwoven with those who have shaped the United Kingdom. Its story commences with Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, a trusted Norman follower who was granted 56 lordships in Lincolnshire directly from William the Conqueror following the Conquest of 1066, as recorded in the *Domesday Book*.
Centuries later, the title was held by some of the most powerful magnates in medieval England. These included, *inter alia*, Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, a celebrated soldier, diplomat, and founding Knight of the Garter. Later created the 1st Duke of Lancaster, he was a pivotal commander in the Hundred Years’ War.
The Duke’s successor as 11th Baron was his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. Through his marriage to Blanche of Lancaster, John of Gaunt absorbed the vast Brattleby and Lancastrian estates, becoming the wealthiest man in England and father to King Henry IV. As such, he is a direct ancestor to most subsequent European monarchs. The legacy of Nichola de la Haye is rightly honoured amongst such distinguished company.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In the thirteenth century, the office of a castellan, or castle constable, carried immense legal and military authority, governed by strict feudal protocol. Upon her appointment, Nichola de la Haye would have sworn a solemn oath of fealty, performing an act of homage by kneeling and placing her hands within those of the King or his representative. In this binding ceremony, she would have pledged to defend his property, his rights, and his person with her life.
This was no mere symbolic gesture. The formal handing over of the castle keys represented a transfer of absolute authority over the garrison, its heavy fortifications, and the surrounding royal demesne. For a woman to hold such a post was highly unusual, and for her to execute its duties under conditions of open warfare represented an act of extraordinary personal and political resolve.
In refusing to surrender the castle, Nichola de la Haye fulfilled her oath to the letter, upholding the sacred trust placed in her. Her conduct demonstrated that the responsibilities of a title were not passive rights but active duties, an interpretation that continues to inform the ethos of the House today.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of The Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its quintessential expression in the conduct of Nichola de la Haye. Her physical and moral courage in withstanding the siege of Lincoln Castle is the very definition of fortitude—resilience and strength in the face of adversity. Her unwavering refusal to break her oath to the Crown, even when faced with overwhelming force, exemplifies the highest standard of honour.
This guiding principle is complemented by the personal motto of the current Lord of Brattleby, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This phrase, classical in its inspiration, suggests that a life fully lived is one engaged in the active process of overcoming challenges.
Viewed together, the two mottos create a powerful and coherent philosophy. *Fortitudine et Honore* provides the foundational ethical framework, while *Vincere Est Vivere* serves as the call to action. True victory, the House believes, is achieved only when adversity is conquered with unwavering fortitude and unimpeachable honour.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the House rightly commemorates its past, its guiding mission is focused firmly on the present and the future. The spirit of duty and protection demonstrated by the 5th Baroness is today channelled into modern philanthropic service. This profound commitment is most clearly articulated through the House’s sustained support for its primary beneficiary, the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
The organisation provides specialist therapeutic care for children and young people who have experienced significant trauma, abuse, or neglect. Its mission is to help them overcome profound adversity by using evidence-based interventions to rebuild pathways to trust, attachment, and emotional well-being. The charity offers a sanctuary where the most vulnerable can begin to heal, fostering resilience and building the foundations for hopeful futures.
The choice of this beneficiary is deliberate, reflecting the House’s belief that true strength—fortitude—is best expressed in the protection and care of society's most vulnerable. It draws a direct parallel between Nichola de la Haye's defence of a young king and the modern imperative to shield childhood from harm.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the historical significance of the anniversary, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “The legacy of Nichola de la Haye is not merely a matter of historical record; it is a living principle which informs the purpose of the Barony today. Her fortitude in the face of overwhelming odds serves as a profound reminder that duty and honour are timeless virtues, as relevant in the twenty-first century as they were in the thirteenth. It is a heritage of responsibility we are privileged to continue.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “One studies figures such as the fifth Baroness and understands that lineage is an unbroken chain of responsibility. Her defence of Lincoln was an act of profound commitment, demonstrating that true leadership is defined by service, not by title alone. It is a standard of active stewardship to which we all must aspire.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains dedicated to honouring its nine-century history by translating its core values into tangible, contemporary action. This is realised through its ongoing charitable commitments, most notably the annual white-tie Winter Banquet, which serves as the cornerstone of the House's philanthropic calendar and raises vital unrestricted funds for the work of Healing the Wounded Child.
Furthermore, the establishment of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest extends this mission into the realm of cultural and educational development. The academy is dedicated to promoting the values of personal integrity, social grace, and intercultural understanding through the teaching of European etiquette and protocol. This initiative ensures that the principles of *Fortitudine et Honore* are instilled in a new generation of leaders.
Through these endeavours, the House is committed to preserving and promoting the history of the Barony, ensuring that its powerful stories of duty, honour, and resilience continue to inspire meaningful service in the present day.
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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, is the modern embodiment of one of England’s most ancient baronies. Together with their son and heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the family is dedicated to a mission of contemporary service rooted in a profound respect for its historical patrimony. The House’s activities are guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), and are focused on philanthropy, cultural preservation, and education. Its primary charitable focus is on supporting vulnerable children through its work with Healing the Wounded Child. Through educational initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House also promotes the enduring values of personal discipline and cultural refinement.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony of England granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as a tenant-in-chief holding 56 manors in Lincolnshire directly from the King, a sign of his significant standing in the new Norman order. Over nine centuries, the Barony has passed to figures of signal importance in British history, including Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown in 1217; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and patriarch of the House of Lancaster. The current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, was formally recognised as the 12th Baroness by notice in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - Lady Nicoleta Vasile’s succession to the Barony of Brattleby was officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the *Domesday Book* (1086), which lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as a tenant-in-chief of the King. - Notable previous holders include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The modern House supports charitable and cultural work through its annual Winter Banquet for Healing the Wounded Child and The Brattleby Club etiquette academy in Bucharest.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com