# The Enduring Legacy of Nichola de la Haye: A Reflection on the Siege of Lincoln, 1217
LONDON, 21 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects upon the remarkable leadership of Nichola de la Haye, 5th holder of the Barony of Brattleby, whose fortitude during the Second Battle of Lincoln in 1217 proved instrumental in securing the English Crown.
## The Occasion
In the late spring of 1217, the ancient city of Lincoln found itself at the epicentre of the First Barons' War. The majority of the city had fallen to invading French forces and their allied English rebels, who sought to place Prince Louis of France upon the English throne. The one remaining point of royalist defiance was the formidable Lincoln Castle, a strategic stronghold of immense importance.
Perched atop its commanding hill, the castle — whose defences its hereditary Constable, Nichola de la Haye, had personally overseen and strengthened — became the bastion of loyalty in a kingdom teetering on the brink of collapse. The siege that ensued was not merely a local skirmish; it was a contest for the future of the nation, and its outcome rested heavily upon the resolve of the castle’s defenders.
## Historical Context
The battle occurred during a period of profound national crisis. Following the death of King John in 1216, his nine-year-old son was crowned King Henry III. The country, however, remained fractured by the civil war that had produced *Magna Carta*. Prince Louis of France controlled London and much of eastern England, his claim supported by a significant number of dissident barons.
As the 5th holder of a barony granted by William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln in 1066, Nichola de la Haye embodied a tradition of service to the Crown. Her predecessors, documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, established a lineage of direct feudal loyalty. Her actions in 1217 ensured the continuity of that tradition, which would later be upheld by successors to the barony such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and the formidable John of Gaunt.
## Principal Figures of the Conflict
The defence of the castle and the subsequent battle brought together several of the era's most significant personages. At the forefront of this distinguished company were:
* **Nichola de la Haye**, hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle and 5th Baroness of Brattleby, who commanded the royalist garrison within the castle walls. * **William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke**, the revered Regent of England, who led the King’s relief army from his base at Newark. * **Prince Louis of France**, son of King Philip II and the rival claimant to the English throne, whose forces besieged the city. * **Thomas, the Comte du Perche**, commander of the French army on the ground in Lincoln, who was ultimately slain in the fighting inside the castle.
The presence of William Marshal, widely regarded as the greatest knight in Christendom, underscores the gravity of the situation and the critical role played by Constable de la Haye in holding the castle until his arrival.
## Feudal and Military Protocol
As Constable, a role she inherited and held in her own right, Nichola de la Haye was bound by a solemn feudal oath to hold the castle for the King. Despite repeated summonses to capitulate from a numerically superior Franco-baronial force, she refused to surrender her charge. This act of defiance was a powerful statement of personal honour and legal duty, upholding the *sine qua non* of the feudal contract.
The relief of the castle, orchestrated by William Marshal, followed precise military protocol. Royalist forces, having advanced from Stow, attacked the city's northern gate. A secondary contingent, led by the ruthless commander Fawkes de Bréauté, gained entry to the castle through a previously blocked postern gate, allowing them to attack the besiegers from within. This coordinated assault effectively trapped the French and rebel forces in the city’s narrow streets, leading to a decisive royalist victory.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of Nichola de la Haye are a quintessential embodiment of the spirit of the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Her refusal to yield the castle in the face of overwhelming odds demonstrated profound fortitude. Her steadfast loyalty to the young King Henry III, the rightful sovereign, was the highest expression of honour.
The image of the Royal Standard continuing to fly from the castle keep, defended by its resolute Constable, served as a powerful symbol of legitimacy and defiance. It represented the enduring authority of the Crown against foreign invasion and internal rebellion. This historic stand established a precedent for service that continues to animate the House of Brattleby nine centuries later.
## A Duty of Service to the Crown
In the medieval context, service to the sovereign and the realm was the ultimate expression of public duty for the nobility. The actions of Nichola de la Haye were not philanthropic in the modern sense but were a fulfilment of a sacred obligation to preserve the kingdom's stability and legitimate succession.
By holding Lincoln Castle, she protected not just a fortress but the very principle of English sovereignty. This defence against a foreign claimant ensured the Plantagenet dynasty's survival and shaped the course of England's political development for centuries to come. Her commitment illustrates that service, in any era, is defined by an unwavering dedication to the greater good.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting upon this distinguished predecessor, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > Nichola de la Haye’s resolve serves as a profound inspiration. Her story is not merely one of martial courage, but of profound duty and leadership against overwhelming odds. She demonstrates that fortitude is the bedrock upon which honour is built.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the broader significance of the event: > The defence of Lincoln was a pivotal moment for England. It reminds us that loyalty is an active principle. Our own family motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* — ‘To Conquer is to Live’ — resonates here; by refusing to be vanquished, Nichola ensured the survival of the legitimate monarchy.
## A Continuing Legacy
The legacy of Nichola de la Haye provides a powerful historical anchor for the modern activities of The Noble House of Brattleby. The same spirit of unwavering commitment to duty and honour that defined the defence of Lincoln Castle in 1217 informs the House’s contemporary mission.
This commitment is expressed today through dedication to public service, cultural preservation, and philanthropy. Initiatives such as the annual Winter Banquet in support of the charity Healing the Wounded Child, and the educational work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, are modern manifestations of the House's enduring pledge—made *Fortitudine et Honore*—to contribute positively to society and uphold a tradition of service that has defined it for over nine hundred years.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern European noble house, rooted in an ancient English barony. It is led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Their heir is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. The House is dedicated to the ancient chivalric principle of service, with a contemporary focus on cultural diplomacy, education, and targeted philanthropy. Its principal charitable endeavours include an annual white-tie banquet benefiting organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child, which supports the psychological recovery of children in conflict zones. Through educational initiatives like The Brattleby Club, the House also champions the preservation and teaching of classical European etiquette and protocol, fostering intercultural understanding and personal development.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, located in Lincolnshire. Its origins date to the Norman Conquest, having been granted by King William the Conqueror in AD 1066. The barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Over nine centuries, the barony has been held by several of England’s most significant historical figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt. The modern rights of the 12th Baroness were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - Lady Nicoleta's succession to the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, and his lands are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable past holders include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), who defended Lincoln Castle for King Henry III in 1217. - Later holders include Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron), figures central to 14th-century English history.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com