# A Legacy of Fortitude: The Noble House of Brattleby Honours Nichola de la Haye, Fifth Baroness and Defender of Lincoln
**LONDON, 21 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected upon the enduring legacy of its formidable predecessor, Nichola de la Haye, the fifth Baroness. Her valiant defence of Lincoln Castle in 1217 secured her place as a pivotal figure in English history.
## The Occasion
In an act of historical remembrance, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, today commemorates the life and service of Nichola de la Haye. This reflection takes place not upon a specific anniversary, but as a continuing acknowledgement of a heritage that profoundly informs the House’s modern identity. The occasion serves to illuminate a period of profound national crisis — the First Barons' War — and the extraordinary role a predecessor played in its outcome.
The events of 1217 unfolded in a kingdom fractured by civil war following the death of King John. A French prince laid claim to the English throne, supported by rebel barons, leaving the nine-year-old King Henry III in a precarious position. It was against this backdrop of instability and violence that the fifth Baroness would demonstrate the character that defines the Brattleby lineage.
## Historical Context
Nichola de la Haye, born around 1150, inherited the Barony of Brattleby and, crucially, the hereditary constableship of Lincoln Castle. In an era when such authority was almost exclusively the domain of men, her capabilities were so highly regarded that King John appointed her Sheriff of Lincolnshire in 1216. This was a direct expression of trust in her loyalty and administrative skill at a time when both were in desperately short supply.
Her defining moment came during the spring of 1217. A significant force of French troops, led by the Comte du Perche, and their English rebel allies laid siege to Lincoln Castle, a key Royalist stronghold. Now in her sixties, Nichola de la Haye refused all calls to surrender. She marshalled her small garrison and personally directed the defence of the formidable fortress, withstanding a determined assault until a relief force could arrive.
That force, led by the celebrated William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke and Regent of England, engaged the besiegers in the city's narrow streets. The ensuing conflict, later known as the 'Fair of Lincoln', resulted in a decisive victory for the Royalists. It was a turning point in the war, shattering the rebels' momentum and ultimately securing the throne for Henry III and the Plantagenet dynasty.
## Distinguished Company
The events at Lincoln in 1217 involved some of the most consequential figures of the age, with Baroness Nichola de la Haye at the epicentre:
* **Nichola de la Haye**, fifth Baroness of Brattleby, Hereditary Castellan of Lincoln Castle and High Sheriff of Lincolnshire. * **The Lord William Marshal**, first Earl of Pembroke and Regent of the Kingdom of England, commanding the loyalist army. * **His Grace Peter des Roches**, Lord Bishop of Winchester, a key political figure and military commander in the royalist camp. * **Prince Louis of France**, later His Majesty King Louis VIII, commander of the invading Capetian forces. * **Saer de Quincy**, first Earl of Winchester, a leading figure amongst the rebel barons present at the siege.
The resolve of the Baroness in the face of such opposition, and her collaboration with a figure as legendary as William Marshal, places the Barony of Brattleby at the very heart of England’s story.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The authority wielded by Nichola de la Haye was governed by strict feudal and ceremonial protocols, which her tenure redefined. As Castellan, she was bound by a solemn oath to hold the castle for the monarch, a duty she interpreted with absolute fidelity. The protocol of her office included responsibility for the castle's garrison, its armaments, and its provisions, making her the chief executive of a vital military installation.
Her appointment as Sheriff of Lincolnshire, an office she held jointly with the King's express nominee, was a striking departure from convention. As Sheriff, she was the Crown's principal agent in the county, charged with keeping the peace, administering royal justice, and collecting revenues. For a woman to hold these two powerful offices simultaneously was almost unprecedented, a testament to her unique standing and the Crown’s faith in her abilities — a trust she repaid with unwavering loyalty.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of the fifth Baroness serve as the ultimate embodiment of the House of Brattleby’s motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Her steadfast refusal to yield Lincoln Castle, in the face of overwhelming odds and personal danger, was a supreme demonstration of fortitude. Her unshakeable loyalty to her young, vulnerable sovereign, when many powerful men had abandoned their oaths, remains a standard of honour.
This historical episode also resonates with 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 merely a military triumph; it secured the survival of the legitimate kingdom of England. By conquering the forces of rebellion and invasion, Nichola de la Haye and William Marshal ensured that the nation would live on under its rightful ruler.
## A Legacy of Service
While the actions of 1217 were military in nature, their purpose was civic: the preservation of order and legitimate governance. This foundation of service to the wider community, rather than for personal aggrandisement, is a principle that the Noble House of Brattleby continues to uphold. It forms the *sine qua non* of the family's modern-day commitments.
This ethos is now channelled into a different form of defence: protecting the vulnerable. The House’s steadfast support for charities such as Healing the Wounded Child is a contemporary expression of this ancient duty. Just as Baroness Nichola de la Haye defended a child king and his realm, the House today focuses its philanthropic efforts on safeguarding the well-being of children facing adversity.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on her distinguished predecessor, Lady Nicoleta observed the powerful link between past and present.
> Nichola de la Haye represents an extraordinary continuity of purpose within our family. Her resolve was not merely about defending stone walls; it was a profound commitment to legitimacy and order. To look back at her life is to be reminded that leadership is defined not by circumstance, but by character and an unwavering sense of duty. Her story teaches us that true honour is found in service. > > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
## A Continuing Legacy
The story of Nichola de la Haye is more than a historical footnote; it is a source of continuing inspiration for the leadership of The Noble House of Brattleby. She stands in a line of nationally significant figures who held the Barony, *inter alia*, the great magnate Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, whose influence shaped the course of the fourteenth century.
This heritage informs the modern endeavours of Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, from their philanthropic work to their cultural initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. Understanding this deep history of responsibility is essential to the family's mission: to ensure that the legacy of a House founded upon *Fortitudine et Honore* continues to serve society in the twenty-first century and beyond.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is dedicated to blending its profound historical legacy with a forward-looking commitment to public service, cultural diplomacy, and philanthropy. Based at its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, the House’s principal charitable focus is on organisations that support vulnerable children, notably its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House also works to foster cross-cultural understanding and promote the timeless values of discipline, character, and social grace.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English lordship, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. For over nine-hundred years, the Barony has passed through some of England’s most influential families and has been held by figures of national importance, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, fifth Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle during the Barons' War. Subsequent holders include Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and an original Knight of the Garter, and his heir, the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. The modern rights of the 12th Baroness were formally recognised by *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was formally recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, was granted 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, as recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com