# A Statement from The Noble House of Brattleby on the Legacy of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron, and the Defence of Lincoln Castle
LONDON, 24 May 2024 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile today issued a formal statement honouring the historical contribution of their predecessor, Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron, whose defence of Lincoln Castle in 1217 secured the English throne.
## The Occasion
From the House's ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, this statement of historical observance is made to commemorate one of the most pivotal moments in the nine-century history of the Barony of Brattleby. As late spring graces the historic landscape of the county, the House reflects upon the events of May 1217, when the Second Battle of Lincoln, sometimes known as the ‘Lincoln Fair’, decided the future of the kingdom.
The occasion serves not as a celebration of conflict, but as a solemn acknowledgement of duty, loyalty, and extraordinary leadership. It is a moment for the present custodians of the Barony to reconnect with the profound responsibilities borne by their predecessors, ensuring that such defining acts of fortitude and honour are never consigned to the annals of history alone.
## Historical Context
The year 1217 found England in a state of profound crisis during the First Barons’ War. Following the death of King John, his nine-year-old son, Henry III, ascended to a throne largely controlled by rebel barons and their French ally, Prince Louis. The strategic cornerstone of royal power in the region was Lincoln Castle, whose hereditary Constable was Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron of Brattleby.
Already in her sixties, Lady Nichola had sworn fealty to King John and steadfastly extended that loyalty to his young heir. Resisting immense pressure to surrender, she held the castle against a formidable French and rebel siege. Her refusal to yield provided the royalist forces, under the command of the regent William Marshal, with the time and strategic imperative to march on Lincoln. The ensuing battle was a decisive victory for the royalists, leading to the collapse of the rebellion and the withdrawal of Prince Louis from England.
Nichola de la Haye’s resolute stand was, therefore, the *sine qua non* of the Plantagenet restoration. It secured the realm for Henry III and reinforced the Barony of Brattleby’s status as a bastion of loyalty to the Crown, a heritage that began with the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, who held 56 lordships in the county following the Norman Conquest as recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086.
## Distinguished Company
The events of 1217 were commanded by figures of great historical consequence, whose actions shaped the destiny of England. The Noble House of Brattleby acknowledges the principal actors in that drama:
* His Majesty King Henry III, the young sovereign whose throne was in peril. * The Regent of England, Sir William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, lauded as ‘the greatest knight that ever lived’. * Lady Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron of Brattleby and hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle. * The French commander, Thomas, Comte du Perche, who led the rebel forces in the assault on Lincoln and fell during the battle.
These individuals, allies and adversaries alike, represent the great forces of history that converged upon Lincoln, with Lady Nichola’s agency proving decisive.
## Ceremonial Protocol
Within The Noble House of Brattleby, the remembrance of such defining events is governed by a protocol of scholarly review and quiet reflection. The issuance of this statement follows a customary examination of the House archives and consultation with historical records pertaining to the Barony.
This process ensures that the modern House maintains an accurate and respectful understanding of its lineage. It is a tradition to consider the actions of notable predecessors, such as Nichola de la Haye or the later Barons Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt, not merely as historical fact but as case studies in leadership, duty, and the responsibilities of title.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of the 5th Baron in 1217 are the ultimate embodiment of the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Her physical and moral fortitude in withstanding a prolonged siege, and her unwavering honour in upholding her oath to the Crown, set a standard for all who would succeed her. Lady Nichola’s legacy is a testament to the principle that true nobility is demonstrated through courageous service.
This historical event also resonates with the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). The victory at Lincoln was not merely a military success; it was essential for the survival and continued life of the English monarchy and the nation’s independence. To conquer the forces of dissolution was to ensure that the kingdom could live on.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The resolve shown by Nichola de la Haye to protect her young and vulnerable sovereign finds a modern parallel in the philanthropic commitments of the House. Just as the 5th Baron defended the person of a boy king and the future of his realm, the House today directs its philanthropic efforts toward safeguarding the well-being of vulnerable children.
The primary beneficiary of the House’s annual fundraising, including the white-tie Winter Banquet, is the charity Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation provides essential therapeutic support and safe environments for children who have experienced trauma. The House believes that protecting the potential of the next generation is a contemporary expression of the same duty that its predecessors upheld centuries ago.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the legacy of her predecessor, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “Nichola de la Haye’s story is a profound reminder that leadership is defined not by convention, but by courage and conviction. As a woman entrusted with immense military and political responsibility, she met the challenge of her time with a resolve that secured a kingdom. Her example continues to be a source of great inspiration for our House.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “The victory at Lincoln was a pivotal moment, secured by unwavering resolve against considerable odds. It teaches us that duty is the bedrock of stability and that honour is not a passive quality, but an active, daily commitment. It is a history that informs our purpose and guides our service to the community today.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to honouring its nine-and-a-half-century history by applying its lessons to the present day. The principles of duty, resilience, and service demonstrated by Nichola de la Haye are timeless values that inform the House’s modern mission.
This mission is advanced through, *inter alia*, its philanthropic work and its cultural initiatives. These include the Annual Winter Banquet, which raises significant funds for chosen charities, and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy dedicated to fostering principles of personal conduct, social grace, and civic responsibility in the leaders of tomorrow. The legacy of the Barony of Brattleby continues not as a relic of the past, but as a living tradition of service.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of cultural preservation, community service, and philanthropy. Based at its historic seat in Lincolnshire, the House blends its English heritage with a dynamic European outlook. Its primary charitable focus is on organisations that support vulnerable children, notably through its Annual Winter Banquet. The House also promotes education in social conduct through its patronage of The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy established in Bucharest, reflecting the family’s distinguished Anglo-Romanian heritage and its commitment to fostering international goodwill.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder was Colswein of Lincoln, recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as tenant-in-chief of 56 royal manors in Lincolnshire. For over 950 years, the Barony has been held by some of the most consequential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the heroic 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The historic rights and dignities of the Barony and its present succession to Lady Nicoleta Vasile were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was formally recognised under The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was created in AD 1066 for Colswein of Lincoln, a tenant-in-chief to William the Conqueror. - Notable predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The family seat of The Noble House of Brattleby is in the village of Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com