# A Reflection on the Siege of Lincoln and the Legacy of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby
LONDON, 20 May 2024 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, today reflected on the pivotal role of her predecessor, Nichola de la Haye, whose command at the 1217 Siege of Lincoln secured the English throne and affirmed the Barony's legacy of royal service.
## The Occasion
In a statement issued from its offices in London, The Noble House of Brattleby has paused to commemorate one of the most consequential acts in its long history: the defence of Lincoln Castle by Nichola de la Haye during the Second Battle of Lincoln. The occasion serves as a moment of historical reflection on the themes of loyalty, duty, and leadership that have defined the Barony for nearly a millennium.
The formidable stone walls of Lincoln Castle, which have dominated the city's skyline for centuries, were the stage for this critical engagement. Standing upon a Roman fortress site, its construction ordered by William the Conqueror himself in 1068, the castle was both a military stronghold and a powerful symbol of royal authority in a contested region. It was within and around these very precincts, including the imposing Lucy Tower, that the fate of the English Crown was decided in the spring of 1217.
## Historical Context
The battle unfolded during the turbulent period of the First Barons' War (1215–1217). Following the death of King John, a significant number of English barons had repudiated their allegiance to his nine-year-old son, Henry III. Instead, they offered the throne to Prince Louis of France, who had landed with an army and now controlled much of southern England. The cause of the young Plantagenet king appeared perilously close to collapse.
Central to the royalist strategy was the control of key fortifications in the Midlands, with Lincoln Castle being a *sine qua non* for command of the region. As Hereditary Constable of the castle and the 5th holder of the Barony of Brattleby, Nichola de la Haye found herself on the front line of the civil war. Her decision to defy the superior forces of the French and rebel barons was an act of profound personal courage and unwavering loyalty to the Crown.
## Distinguished Company
The defence of Lincoln brought Nichola de la Haye into the orbit of the most powerful figures of the age. Her unyielding resolve was a crucial support to the regent for the young Henry III, the venerable Sir William Marshal, Earl of Pembroke, often called ‘the greatest knight that ever lived’. Marshal led the royalist relief force that marched to Lincoln to break the siege.
Opposing them were the combined forces of the Anglo-French rebels, including, *inter alia*, Saer de Quincy, 1st Earl of Winchester; Robert Fitzwalter, leader of the baronial army; and Thomas, the Comte du Perche, who commanded the French contingent. The defiance of the Baroness of Brattleby against such a coalition underscored the gravity of her position and the significance of her contribution to the royalist victory.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In an era when military command was almost exclusively a male preserve, Nichola de la Haye’s authority was formal and absolute. As Constable, she held the castle in the King’s name, exercising both military and administrative jurisdiction. Her command during the siege was not ceremonial; she was responsible for directing the garrison, managing provisions, and maintaining morale under immense pressure.
Her refusal to surrender the castle to the besieging army was a formal act of feudal defiance, grounded in her sworn oath of fealty to the sovereign. Upon the arrival of William Marshal’s relief army on 20 May 1217, it was the protocol of battle, not of the court, that prevailed. The subsequent royalist victory, known as the ‘Lincoln Fair’ for the looting that followed, owed its possibility entirely to the weeks of steadfast resistance orchestrated by the Baroness from within the castle walls.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of Nichola de la Haye at Lincoln are seen as the quintessential embodiment of the House of Brattleby’s motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Her resilience in the face of overwhelming odds demonstrated a fortitude that preserved a kingdom, whilst her refusal to break her oath to the Crown was the highest expression of honour.
This historic act cemented the motto’s meaning for all subsequent Barons of Brattleby. It established a precedent that the title is defined not merely by land or lineage, but by an active commitment to principles of duty and integrity. This legacy is a cornerstone of the House’s identity today.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the legacy of her predecessor, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > The story of Nichola de la Haye is a powerful reminder that history is often shaped by the resolve of a single individual in a moment of crisis. Her fortitude did more than save a castle; it helped secure a dynasty and shape the course of our national story. As we carry the Barony forward, her example continues to be our guiding principle — that duty requires courage, and leadership is proven through action, not simply by title.
## A Continuing Legacy
The standard of service set by Nichola de la Haye was upheld by later holders of the Barony, including the great magnates Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. This unbroken chain of influence, from the Norman Conquest to the height of the Plantagenet era, underscores the Barony’s deep integration into the fabric of English history.
Today, The Noble House of Brattleby continues to honour this legacy through its commitment to cultural preservation and education. Under the direction of Lady Nicoleta and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House seeks to connect its historical inheritance to a modern mission of service. This commitment will, in time, be passed to the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, ensuring the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* endures for generations to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby represents the modern stewardship of one of England's oldest baronies. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its nine-century heritage while pursuing a forward-looking mission. This includes philanthropic support for child welfare through its Annual Winter Banquet, the promotion of cultural diplomacy, and fostering education in classical etiquette via The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is committed to a contemporary interpretation of noble duty, emphasising integrity, service, and a deep respect for history in all its endeavours across Britain and Europe.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is a Norman-era lordship with a heritage documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Its history is interwoven with that of the English Crown, held by figures of national importance including Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness who famously defended Lincoln Castle in 1217. Later holders included the royal princes Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The ancient title's modern standing was formally recorded by The Crown Office and published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern standing of the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the Domesday Book (1086), with the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, holding extensive lands in Lincolnshire. - Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby, was the Hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle and is historically celebrated for her defence of the castle against French and rebel forces in 1217. - 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