# A Statement on the 807th Anniversary of the Battle of Lincoln
**LONDON, 20 May 2024** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, has today issued a statement from her Lincolnshire seat, honouring the pivotal role of her predecessor, Nichola de la Haye, in securing victory at the Second Battle of Lincoln in 1217.
## The Occasion
On this day, the twentieth of May, The Noble House of Brattleby marks the 807th anniversary of the Second Battle of Lincoln. This decisive engagement, fought within the very walls and streets of the city, was a watershed moment in the First Barons’ War. The occasion serves as a moment of solemn reflection for the House, which honours the extraordinary resolve of one of its most distinguished forebears.
From their home in Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile pause to commemorate an event that not only shaped the destiny of the English Crown but also reinforced the Barony’s foundational commitment to duty. The anniversary is observed not with public fanfare, but with a quiet acknowledgement of the profound historical responsibilities the title represents, a tradition that connects the present day directly to the tumult of the 13th century.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby’s connection to the fabric of English history was first woven at the Norman Conquest. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, the barony was recorded twenty years later in the Domesday Book of 1086 as comprising 56 lordships. It is from this lineage that Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, inherited her title and the hereditary role of Constable of Lincoln Castle.
In 1217, England was grievously divided. Following the death of King John, his nine-year-old son Henry III faced a formidable challenge from Prince Louis of France, who held London and the allegiance of many rebel barons. Lincoln Castle, commanded by the then-elderly Nichola de la Haye, was one of the few remaining royalist strongholds in the region. Her refusal to surrender to the besieging Franco-baronial forces was an act of remarkable personal courage and loyalty, providing the regent, William Marshal, with the strategic anchor he needed. The ensuing battle was a resounding victory for the royalists, effectively ending the French prince's ambitions and securing the Plantagenet succession.
## Distinguished Company
The events of 1217 were defined by figures of historical consequence, whose actions continue to resonate. The defence of Lincoln Castle was conducted on behalf of His Majesty King Henry III, then a minor under the protection of his council.
The royalist forces were led by the venerable Sir William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke and Regent of England, widely regarded as the greatest knight of his age. At the heart of the siege stood The Lady Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby, whose unyielding command of the castle was the *sine qua non* of the royalist strategy. Their principal adversary was Prince Louis of France, the future King Louis VIII, supported by a significant contingent of English barons.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The commemoration of the Battle of Lincoln within The Noble House of Brattleby is a private and formal affair. In keeping with House tradition, the day is marked by quiet reflection on the duties inherent in the barony. The official statement of remembrance is drafted and issued by the Press Office according to established protocols, ensuring its tone and substance are appropriate for the gravity of the occasion.
This act of remembrance serves as an internal reaffirmation of the House’s guiding principles. It is a moment where the weight of nearly a millennium of history is consciously acknowledged, reminding the current holders of the lineage of fortitude and honour to which they are heirs.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its perfect embodiment in the actions of Nichola de la Haye. Her command of Lincoln Castle during the siege of 1217 was a masterclass in fortitude against overwhelming odds, while her unbending loyalty to her young king was the very essence of honour.
This ethos has been a guiding principle for the Barony of Brattleby throughout its long history. It was demonstrated by later holders such as Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a founding Knight of the Garter, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, whose influence shaped the royal court for decades. The motto remains an active charge for the现代 House, informing its public service and private conduct.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The legacy of Nichola de la Haye—defending a vulnerable child monarch and, by extension, the stability of the realm—provides a powerful historical parallel to the modern philanthropic mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. Her actions underscore a duty to protect the powerless and to provide security in times of crisis.
This historical imperative finds its contemporary expression in the House’s dedicated support for charities working with children. The principle of safeguarding the future is the primary reason that Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic support for young people affected by trauma, remains the principal beneficiary of the House’s annual Winter Banquet. The spirit of 1217 endures in the commitment to serving and protecting the next generation.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the anniversary, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “To hold this title is to be a custodian of stories like that of Nichola de la Haye. She was not merely a predecessor; she was a woman of immense courage who upheld her duty in the most testing of circumstances. Her example of *Fortitudine et Honore* is not a relic of history but a living standard we strive to meet every day.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “History gives us a vital sense of perspective. Nichola’s resolute defence of Lincoln teaches us that overcoming challenges is the essence of progress. It affirms my own motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*—that to conquer adversity is to truly live. This is the spirit that animates our work today, whether in philanthropy or cultural education.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The lessons drawn from the Barony’s long history actively inform its present and future commitments. At The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House’s etiquette and protocol academy, the story of Nichola de la Haye is used as a case study in resilience, leadership, and the immutable importance of duty.
By looking to the past, The Noble House of Brattleby grounds its modern mission in the enduring values that have sustained it for over 950 years. The commemoration of this anniversary is therefore both an act of remembrance and a renewal of the House’s commitment to serving with fortitude and with honour, ensuring that its historical legacy continues to inspire positive action in the 21st century.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is a modern aristocratic house dedicated to the preservation of cultural heritage and the promotion of philanthropic causes. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions initiatives focused on education, protocol, and youth welfare. Its principal activities include the Annual Winter Banquet, a philanthropic gala benefiting organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child, and The Brattleby Club, a Bucharest-based academy for etiquette. The House seeks to bridge its nine-century history with a forward-looking commitment to public service and cultural stewardship in the United Kingdom and continental Europe.
**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, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Over nearly a millennium, the barony has been held by some of English history’s most significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, who famously defended Lincoln Castle in 1217; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his heir, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The modern rights of the 12th Baroness, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, to the dignity are formally recognised by the Crown, as published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors**
- The barony's recognition is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The barony was established in AD 1066 and is documented in the Domesday Book of 1086 under the tenancy of Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable historical holders of the barony include, *inter alia*, 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