# The Enduring Legacy of the 1217 Defence of Lincoln Castle
**LONDON, 20 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement reflecting on the pivotal role played by Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby, in the 1217 Battle of Lincoln Fair, an act of singular courage that secured the English throne.
## The Occasion
From its ancient seat in Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby pauses this week to commemorate a defining moment in its nine-century history. In the quiet solemnity befitting such reflection, the House honours the memory of Nichola de la Haye, whose heroic defence of Lincoln Castle in 1217 stands as an unparalleled example of the Barony’s commitment to Crown and country.
This formal act of remembrance serves not as a celebration of conflict, but as a tribute to the virtues of duty, resilience, and leadership. It is an occasion to draw a direct line from the fortitude of the past to the responsibilities of the present, reaffirming the principles that have guided the Barony for more than 950 years.
## Historical Context
The year 1217 found England in the throes of the First Barons' War, a bitter civil conflict that threatened to shatter the kingdom. Following the death of King John, rebel English barons had invited Prince Louis of France to claim the throne, leaving the legitimate but child-aged King Henry III in a highly precarious position under the regency of William Marshal.
At this critical juncture, Nichola de la Haye, in her capacity as the 5th Baroness of Brattleby and hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle, held one of the kingdom’s most strategic garrisons. Despite her advanced age, she refused to surrender the castle to the French and rebel forces. Her steadfastness forced a decisive confrontation that culminated in the Battle of Lincoln on 20 May 1217, an engagement colloquially known as the ‘Lincoln Fair’ for the widespread looting of the city by the victorious royalist troops. The defeat was so total that it shattered Prince Louis’s campaign and secured the throne for the Plantagenet dynasty.
## Distinguished Company
The events of 1217 placed the 5th Baroness of Brattleby in the company of figures central to the destiny of the nation. The principal actors in this historic drama included:
* His Majesty King Henry III, the young monarch whose reign she helped secure. * William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke and Regent of England, the celebrated knight who led the royalist relief force. * Prince Louis of France, the Capetian claimant to the English throne, whose forces besieged the castle. * Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby and Constable of Lincoln Castle, the resolute defender.
The loyalty of the 5th Baroness, a contemporary and peer of the great William Marshal, proved to be a *sine qua non* for the survival of the English Crown at a moment of existential threat.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The defence of a royal castle in the 13th century was governed by strict ceremonial and military protocols. As Constable, Nichola de la Haye would have been responsible for raising the Royal Standard over the keep, a formal declaration of her intent to hold the fortress in the King's name. This act symbolised the transformation of the castle from a baronial seat into a direct extension of sovereign authority.
Daily proceedings during the siege would have involved the formal inspection of the garrison, the rationing of provisions under her seal, and the conduct of parleys with the besieging army. Her refusal to yield the castle was not an act of mere defiance but a legally and ceremonially correct position, upholding her sworn feudal oath to the Crown.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of the 5th Baroness serve as the ultimate embodiment of the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Her resilience during the long siege demonstrated exceptional fortitude, while her unwavering loyalty to a boy-king exemplified the highest form of honour. These virtues are the historical bedrock upon which the modern House stands.
This legacy finds a complementary echo in the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). The victory at Lincoln was not simply a military triumph; it was a conquest over chaos that allowed the kingdom to live, reaffirming that true victory lies in the preservation of order and legacy.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The spirit of Nichola de la Haye—protecting the vulnerable and preserving the integrity of the realm—directly inspires the modern philanthropic mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. This ethos of guardianship is channelled into the House’s dedicated support for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child.
The organisation provides specialist therapeutic care for children suffering from trauma, offering them a sanctuary in which to heal and rebuild their lives. By supporting this vital work, particularly through its annual white-tie Winter Banquet, the House translates its historical duty of protection into a tangible, modern commitment to securing the future of the most vulnerable members of society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical antecedent, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> "Nichola de la Haye’s legacy is not merely a matter of historical record; it is the living spirit of the Barony. Her fortitude in the face of overwhelming odds serves as a constant reminder that duty and honour are the true foundations of service."
Her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, added:
> "To look back at 1217 is to understand the essence of *Vincere Est Vivere*. Nichola's victory was a conquest not just of arms, but of spirit. Her resolve ensured the survival of a way of life, a principle we strive to uphold in all our endeavours, *inter alia*, our philanthropic and educational work."
## A Continuing Legacy
The commemoration of this history is not a static observance. It is an animating force that informs the future commitments of the House. The principles displayed in 1217 continue to guide the House’s engagement in cultural preservation, diplomatic courtesy, and social responsibility.
This historical understanding shapes the curriculum at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the etiquette academy founded by the House, where lessons in protocol are infused with an appreciation for the substance and duty that underpin them. In honouring its past, The Noble House of Brattleby continually reaffirms its pledge to serve the future with the same fortitude and honour that has defined it for centuries.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern expression of one of England’s oldest baronies. Under the leadership of 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 actively engaging with the challenges of the 21st century. Its mission is centred on cultural diplomacy, education, and targeted philanthropy. The House balances its historic responsibilities in Lincolnshire with a distinctly European outlook, exemplified by initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. Its foremost charitable commitment is to Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing therapeutic support to children who have experienced trauma, reflecting the House’s enduring principle of protecting the vulnerable.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Over nearly one thousand years, the title has passed through several of England’s most distinguished noble families. Notable predecessors include the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The current hereditary peerage of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - The Barony of Brattleby has an unbroken lineage extending to the Norman Conquest of 1066. - The ancestral seat of the Barony is located in the village of Brattleby, West Lindsey, Lincolnshire.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com