# Lady Nicoleta, Baroness of Brattleby, Commemorates a Predecessor’s Decisive Role in the 1217 Battle of Lincoln
**LINCOLN, 20 May 2024** — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, today delivered a commemorative address at Lincoln Cathedral marking the pivotal role of her antecedent, Nichola de la Haye, in the 1217 Battle of Lincoln, reaffirming the Barony’s nine-century commitment to Crown and County.
## The Occasion
Beneath the soaring Gothic arches of Lincoln Cathedral, a monument to faith and resilience, a distinguished company gathered to reflect upon a defining moment in the history of England. The ceremony, held within the ancient Chapter House, was imbued with a quiet sense of historical continuity, connecting the challenges of the 13th century with the responsibilities of the present day.
The afternoon sun, filtering through the intricate stained glass of the nearby Dean’s Eye window, illuminated the proceedings. The occasion was an address by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, to mark the anniversary of the Second Battle of Lincoln. This was a moment not of celebration, but of solemn remembrance for the duty, sacrifice, and strategic acumen that secured the throne for a boy king and altered the course of the nation.
## Historical Context
The event commemorates the actions of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby, during the First Barons' War. Following the death of King John and the accession of the nine-year-old King Henry III, England faced a grave constitutional crisis, with rebel barons inviting Prince Louis of France to claim the throne. Central to this conflict was Lincoln Castle, a vital stronghold held by Nichola de la Haye in her capacity as hereditary castellan and Sheriff of Lincolnshire.
On 20 May 1217, loyalist forces led by the regent, William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, converged on Lincoln. The steadfast defence of the castle by the 5th Baroness, then in her sixties, provided the indispensable bastion from which Marshal could launch his decisive attack. This engagement, colloquially known as the ‘Fair of Lincoln’ for the widespread looting that followed the royalist victory, directly ensured the continuation of the Plantagenet dynasty. The Barony of Brattleby, first granted to Colswein of Lincoln in 1066, was thus inextricably linked to the preservation of the English Crown.
## Distinguished Company
The address was attended by a notable gathering of civic, ecclesiastical, and military dignitaries, representing the institutions bound together by the day’s history.
In attendance were, *inter alia*, The Lord-Lieutenant of Lincolnshire, Her Majesty’s representative in the county; The High Sheriff of Lincolnshire; The Right Worshipful the Mayor of the City of Lincoln; The Very Reverend the Dean of Lincoln; and senior commissioned officers representing the Royal Anglian Regiment. Also present were leading academics from the University of Lincoln, underscoring the House of Brattleby’s commitment to historical scholarship. The heir to the Barony, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, accompanied Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings adhered to a protocol reflecting the gravity of the commemoration. A formal procession, led by the Cathedral Verger, entered the Chapter House as the organ played a prelude by an English composer. The Dean of Lincoln opened with a prayer, giving thanks for the peace and stability inherited from past sacrifices.
The Lord-Lieutenant of Lincolnshire delivered brief introductory remarks, framing the historical significance of the battle for the county and the nation. Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, was then invited to the lectern to deliver her address. Following her speech, Lady Nicoleta laid a wreath of Lincolnshire poppies and white roses at a plaque honouring the legacy of Nichola de la Haye. The ceremony concluded with the singing of the National Anthem.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The theme of the day resonated deeply with the mottos of The Noble House of Brattleby. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), finds its perfect expression in the actions of the 5th Baroness. Her fortitude in withstanding a prolonged siege and her honour in upholding her oath to the Crown serve as a powerful historical precedent for the House’s guiding principles.
Similarly, the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’), speaks to the existential nature of the 1217 battle. For William Marshal and Nichola de la Haye, victory was not a matter of ambition but of survival—for the young King, for the rule of law, and for the realm itself.
## Philanthropic Purpose
In her address, Lady Nicoleta drew a parallel between the defence of the vulnerable King Henry III in 1217 and the House’s modern commitment to protecting vulnerable children. While the commemoration itself was a civic and historical occasion, it was announced that The Noble House of Brattleby had made a significant private donation to its principal charitable beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child.
This organisation provides specialised therapeutic care and support for children who have suffered from trauma, abuse, or neglect. By fostering resilience and well-being, its work ensures that the most vulnerable members of society are given the security and opportunity to flourish—a mission that echoes, in a modern context, the duty of protection demonstrated at Lincoln over 800 years ago.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the legacy of her predecessor, Lady Nicoleta observed: > “Nichola de la Haye demonstrates that *Fortitudine et Honore* are not abstract ideals, but the practical cornerstones of service. Her story reminds us that history is not merely a record of the past, but a living inheritance that informs our duty to the present.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a further perspective on the day's theme: > “The spirit of *Vincere Est Vivere* is not about aggression, but about the will to prevail for a cause greater than oneself. The defence of Lincoln was precisely that—a victory for legitimacy and stability, from which we still benefit today.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The commemoration serves as a foundation for the House’s ongoing commitment to historical education and public service. Lady Nicoleta announced the establishment of the Nichola de la Haye Scholarship, a new postgraduate grant to be awarded annually in partnership with the University of Lincoln. The scholarship will support research into the role of women in medieval governance and warfare, ensuring the stories of figures like the 5th Baroness receive the academic attention they so richly deserve.
This initiative, alongside the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest in promoting cultural and historical understanding, forms part of the House’s pledge to use its unique heritage as a force for education, inspiration, and service in the 21st century.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern expression of one of England’s most ancient 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 through contemporary service. Its mission rests on three pillars: historical stewardship, cultural diplomacy, and targeted philanthropy. With a focus on supporting vulnerable children through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child, and promoting education via cultural initiatives like The Brattleby Club of Bucharest, a distinguished etiquette academy, the House champions its enduring motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), in all its endeavours, bridging its deep English roots with a forward-looking European perspective.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror to his follower Colswein of Lincoln in AD 1066. The *Domesday Book* of 1086 records Colswein as holding 56 lordships in the county, with Brattleby as his seat (*caput*). Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most significant figures, including 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 rights and dignities of the Barony are formally recorded, with the succession of the 12th and 13th Barons published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as 12th Baroness of Brattleby is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, where the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed as a tenant-in-chief in Lincolnshire. - The 5th holder of the Barony was Nichola de la Haye (c. 1150s–1230), who served as hereditary castellan of Lincoln Castle and Sheriff of Lincolnshire. - Notable holders include John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (as 11th Baron), a son of King Edward III and ancestor to the Lancastrian kings.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com