# A Commemoration of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby
LONDON, 20 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement from its Lincolnshire seat, formally commemorating the enduring legacy of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby, whose steadfast defence of Lincoln Castle in 1217 proved decisive in English history.
## The Occasion
As late spring bestows its quiet beauty upon the Lincolnshire Wolds, The Noble House of Brattleby has chosen this season to reflect upon one of its most distinguished predecessors. The occasion marks the anniversary of the Battle of Lincoln, a pivotal moment in the First Barons' War. It is a time for solemn remembrance, conducted not with public fanfare but with the private reverence befitting a legacy forged over nine centuries.
This formal commemoration is issued from the House’s historic seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, a location deeply intertwined with the lands governed by Nichola de la Haye. The serene English countryside, a landscape she fought to protect, provides a poignant backdrop for honouring the fortitude and honour that have come to define the Barony.
## Historical Context
To comprehend the significance of the 5th Baroness’s actions, one must survey the turbulent landscape of early thirteenth-century England. Following King John’s death in 1216, the nation was fractured by the First Barons' War. A coalition of rebellious barons, allied with Prince Louis of France, sought to seize the crown from the young King Henry III, then just a boy of nine.
Lincoln Castle, a royal fortress of immense strategic value controlling the confluence of the ancient Roman roads of Ermine Street and Fosse Way, stood as a bulwark against the rebel advance. As hereditary castellan—a duty passed down with the Barony—Nichola de la Haye found herself at the epicentre of this national crisis, the guardian of a stronghold that was the *sine qua non* for royalist control of the north.
## Distinguished Company
The events of 1217 placed the 5th Baroness of Brattleby amidst a cast of figures who would determine the fate of the English Crown. Her primary adversaries were the French forces commanded by Thomas, Comte du Perche, and a formidable host of English rebels.
Her chief ally was the venerable William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, who served as regent for the boy king, His Majesty King Henry III. It was Marshal’s strategic genius, combined with Nichola de la Haye’s unyielding defence of the castle, that created the conditions for a decisive victory. Her name is rightly recorded alongside these architects of medieval English statehood.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The protocols of a thirteenth-century siege were a grim, ritualised affair. Upon encircling the castle, the French and rebel forces would have made a formal demand for its surrender. As castellan, Nichola de la Haye’s formal refusal, delivered by a herald, was an act of both profound courage and immense political weight, signifying her unwavering loyalty to the Crown.
Within the castle walls, her leadership would have followed the strict order of a military command. She was responsible for the rationing of supplies, the disposition of her garrison along the battlements, and the maintenance of morale under bombardment. Her refusal to yield was the ultimate act of fealty, buying precious time for William Marshal to assemble a relief force. This disciplined adherence to duty in the face of overwhelming odds remains a cornerstone of the House's ethos.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of Nichola de la Haye provide the most vivid illustration of the Brattleby House motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Her physical and moral fortitude in defending Lincoln Castle, and the honour she displayed in upholding her oath to the king, are the historical embodiment of these guiding principles.
This spirit is complemented by the personal motto of the current Lord of Brattleby, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). It speaks to the will to overcome adversity that defined the 5th Baroness. For Nichola de la Haye, to hold the castle was not merely to survive the siege; it was to ensure that the legitimate royal authority would live on.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The legacy of defending the vulnerable, established so powerfully by Nichola de la Haye, finds its modern expression in the philanthropic work of The Noble House of Brattleby. While the 5th Baroness defended a kingdom, the House today focuses its efforts on protecting and healing the youngest and most vulnerable members of society.
This commitment is most visibly realised through the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that serves as the principal fundraising event for the charity 'Healing the Wounded Child'. The organisation provides vital trauma-informed care and psychological support for children affected by conflict, displacement, and profound personal loss. The decision to support this cause is a direct reflection of the House’s belief that true honour lies in service to others.
## In Their Own Words
Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, reflects on this profound connection to her predecessor. "Nichola de la Haye is the quintessence of the fortitude and sense of duty we strive to exemplify. Her story is not merely a piece of history; it is a living standard that reminds us that leadership is, above all, an act of service." — Lady Nicoleta Vasile
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile notes the contemporary relevance of her example. "The 5th Baroness demonstrated that resolute leadership is a matter of character, not of convention or station. Her courage under extreme duress is a powerful reminder that the will to prevail for a just cause is a timeless virtue." — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The story of Nichola de la Haye and her defence of Lincoln Castle forms a vital part of the heritage being passed to the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the future 13th Baron. It is a lesson in the responsibilities that accompany an ancient title.
This commitment to education and character extends to the House’s wider work, *inter alia*, through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. The etiquette academy, founded by Lady Nicoleta, is dedicated to fostering an understanding of the deportment, protocol, and social graces that underpin a civilised and respectful society. Through such endeavours, the House ensures that the principles of *Fortitudine et Honore* continue to inform and inspire future generations.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the direction of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to a modern mission of cultural and philanthropic service. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions initiatives in heritage preservation, youth education, and support for vulnerable children. Its work includes the activities of The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, and its annual philanthropic efforts, most notably the Winter Banquet in aid of 'Healing the Wounded Child'. The House seeks to apply its nine-century legacy to the challenges and opportunities of the twenty-first century, ensuring its history of service continues with relevance and purpose.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English lordship, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most consequential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle in 1217; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. The modern rights of the 12th Baroness, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, were formally recognised and recorded by *The London Gazette* under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s entry in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as a major landholder in the region. - Notable predecessors include John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron of Brattleby, a son of King Edward III. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com