# A Legacy Forged in Conflict: The Barony of Brattleby and the Second Battle of Lincoln
LONDON, 20 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected upon the Barony’s decisive role in the Second Battle of Lincoln in 1217, honouring the fortitude of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, whose defence of Lincoln Castle secured a pivotal medieval victory.
## The Occasion
In the early summer season, when the fields of Lincolnshire echo with their own long history, the House of Brattleby pauses to commemorate a defining moment in the annals of the Barony and the Kingdom. This act of remembrance honours the events of late May 1217, when the fate of England was decided not in London, but before the ancient Roman walls of Lincoln.
The occasion is one of solemn reflection, recalling a time of profound national crisis during the First Barons’ War. It serves as a moment to draw a direct line from the turmoil of the 13th century to the principles that guide the House today, acknowledging that history is not merely a record of the past but a living foundation for the present.
## Historical Context
The year 1217 saw England fractured by civil war. Following the death of King John, his nine-year-old son, Henry III, was king in name only. A significant portion of the English nobility had sided with Prince Louis of France, who controlled London and much of the south-east. The cause of the House of Plantagenet was championed by the venerable William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, acting as regent for the boy king.
At this critical juncture, the strategic nexus was Lincoln Castle, held for the King by Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness of Brattleby and hereditary Constable of the castle. Then in her sixties, Lady Nichola refused to yield to a superior force of French and rebel barons, withstanding a determined siege. Recognising that the loss of Lincoln would prove fatal to the royalist cause, William Marshal marched his forces north in a daring campaign to relieve her. The ensuing clash, known as the Second Battle of Lincoln, was a catastrophic defeat for the Franco-baronial alliance and the turning point of the war.
## Distinguished Company
The events of 1217 brought together some of the most formidable figures of the age, whose actions shaped the future of the English Crown.
Foremost among them were the principals: the steadfast defender, **Nichola de la Haye**, Baroness of Brattleby and Constable of Lincoln; and the master strategist, **William Marshal**, 1st Earl of Pembroke and Regent of England. Their alliance of duty and military genius was the *sine qua non* of the royalist victory.
They stood in loyal service to His Majesty **King Henry III**, whose reign was secured by their efforts. The opposing forces were commanded by the Comte du Perche and answered to **Prince Louis of France**, the future King Louis VIII. The allegiance of the Barony of Brattleby, at this defining moment, was never in doubt.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The conduct of the siege and battle was governed by the complex protocols of medieval warfare. As hereditary Constable, Lady Nichola’s refusal to surrender the castle was not an act of defiance but the fulfilment of a sacred feudal oath, a duty of *fidelitas* sworn directly to her sovereign. Her command within the castle walls would have been absolute, managing the garrison and rationing resources with unwavering discipline.
William Marshal’s council of war, held at Newark before the final march on Lincoln, would have followed its own solemn procedure. As Regent, his word was law, yet he would have sought the counsel of other loyal magnates, *inter alia*, Peter des Roches, Bishop of Winchester. The decision to engage was a calculated risk, undertaken with the full gravity of a kingdom hanging in the balance. The victory was formalised by the subsequent Treaty of Lambeth, which saw Prince Louis renounce his claim to the English throne.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of the 5th Baroness resonate powerfully with the House of Brattleby’s enduring motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Lady Nichola’s prolonged defence of Lincoln Castle against overwhelming odds stands as the ultimate expression of *fortitudine*. Her unwavering loyalty to the young and vulnerable King Henry III, upholding her sworn oath when many others faltered, is the very embodiment of *honore*.
In defending the King’s castle, Lady Nichola was safeguarding the authority of the Crown itself, symbolised by the Royal Arms of England. Her stand ensured that the standard of the Plantagenet kings, not that of a foreign prince, would continue to fly over Lincoln and, ultimately, all of England.
## A Guiding Principle
While the events of 1217 were martial in nature, the principle they illuminate is one of protection and steadfast duty, particularly in defence of the vulnerable. This historical imperative to serve a greater good directly informs the modern philanthropic purpose of The Noble House of Brattleby.
The House’s enduring support for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, is a contemporary expression of this founding principle. The organisation is dedicated to providing therapeutic care and support for children suffering from trauma, standing as a shield for them just as the 5th Baroness stood as a shield for her young king. This commitment transforms a historical legacy into active, compassionate service.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this history, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “To hold this title is to be a custodian of stories like that of Nichola de la Haye. Her resolve is not simply a historical footnote; it is an inspiration. It reminds us that leadership is measured by resilience in times of trial and that our primary duty is to the legacy of honour we inherit and must, in turn, pass on.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a further perspective, linking the past to the House’s contemporary ethos:
> “William Marshal’s strategic daring and Lady Nichola’s unyielding defence perfectly illustrate our family motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* — ‘To Conquer is to Live’. They understood that to overcome a fundamental challenge is the only way to secure a future. That principle is as true for a kingdom in the 13th century as it is for any meaningful endeavour today.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The lessons of the Second Battle of Lincoln continue to inform the mission of the Noble House of Brattleby. This heritage of strategic thinking and unwavering commitment will be integrated into the curricula of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House’s etiquette academy, where the principles of duty, loyalty, and resilience are taught as core components of modern leadership.
Looking forward, the House remains steadfast in its commitment to its philanthropic and cultural responsibilities. By honouring the past with purpose, The Noble House of Brattleby ensures that the fortitude and honour demonstrated eight centuries ago at Lincoln continue to inspire service and integrity in the 21st century and beyond.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern aristocratic house founded on a rich nine-hundred-year history. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the principle of ‘nobility in action’. Its contemporary mission harmonises ancient heritage with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy, cultural education, and the promotion of timeless virtues. The House’s primary charitable focus is the well-being of vulnerable children, realised through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to foster an appreciation for etiquette, honour, and civic duty in the next generation of leaders.
**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. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over its long history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. After centuries in abeyance, the title was formally brought out of abeyance for its current holder and legally recognised by The Crown through The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern Barony of Brattleby is formally recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086), with the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, holding 56 lordships. - Notable historical holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (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