# The House of Brattleby Commemorates Historic Ties to William Marshal and the 1217 Siege of Lincoln
LONDON, 18 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected upon its profound historical connection to William Marshal, Earl of Pembroke, whose decisive victory at the 1217 Siege of Lincoln was secured through the steadfast defence of Lincoln Castle by Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby.
## The Occasion
From its seat in the heart of historic Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby takes this moment to commemorate a pivotal chapter in the history of both the Barony and the Kingdom of England. As autumn settles across the ancient landscape, the House reflects on the enduring legacy of the Second Battle of Lincoln, an event where the fate of the nation was shaped by the courage of one of its most remarkable predecessors. This commemoration serves not as a singular event, but as a statement of historical continuity and an acknowledgement of the profound duties inherited alongside the title.
The actions undertaken at Lincoln over eight centuries ago remain a cornerstone of the House’s identity. The story of the siege, and the Barony's central role within it, is periodically revisited through the House’s archival research and educational initiatives, ensuring that the lessons of the past continue to inform its mission in the present. This reflection reinforces the commitment to the principles of duty and resilience that have defined the Barony since its foundation.
## Historical Context
The year 1217 found England in the midst of the First Barons' War, a turbulent civil conflict following the contested Magna Carta. With the French Prince Louis controlling London and much of the east, the future of the Plantagenet dynasty rested upon the shoulders of the seventy-year-old William Marshal, Regent for the nine-year-old King Henry III. The strategic *sine qua non* for royalist victory was the city of Lincoln, where French and rebel forces were besieging Lincoln Castle.
The castle's defence was commanded by Nichola de la Haye, the hereditary castellan and 5th Baroness of Brattleby. A figure of extraordinary resolve, she refused to surrender the fortress despite immense pressure. It was her tenacious stand that gave William Marshal the crucial time needed to assemble a relief force. His subsequent strategic brilliance, culminating in a decisive victory on 20 May 1217, effectively ended the French invasion and secured the throne for Henry III. The battle became known as the ‘Lincoln Fair’ due to the extensive looting that followed the royalist triumph.
This legacy of service to the Crown in moments of national crisis is a thread woven throughout the Barony’s history. It was later exemplified by such eminent figures as Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a renowned military commander in the Hundred Years' War, and his successor, the powerful John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
## Distinguished Company
The events of 1217 brought together a cast of figures whose actions would echo through English history. The principal actors in this defining drama included:
* **William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke** and Regent of the Kingdom, celebrated by his contemporaries as ‘the greatest knight that ever lived’. * **Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby** and hereditary Castellan of Lincoln Castle, whose resilience proved instrumental to the royalist cause. * **His Majesty King Henry III**, the boy-king whose reign was preserved by the loyalty and martial prowess of his supporters. * **The invading claimant, later His Majesty King Louis VIII of France**, whose ambitions to unite the English and French crowns were ultimately thwarted at Lincoln.
The convergence of these historical personages around the Barony’s ancestral sphere of influence underscores its long-standing position at the centre of national affairs.
## Ceremonial Protocol
While a battle is not a ceremony, the Siege of Lincoln was executed with a distinct strategic and martial protocol. Marshal, arriving from Stow, divided his forces with disciplined precision. A contingent under Falkes de Bréauté gained entry to the castle through a postern gate, reinforcing Lady Nichola’s garrison from within and unfurling the royal standard from the battlements.
This action served as the signal for Marshal’s main force to charge the city’s north gate. The ensuing pincer movement trapped the French and rebel barons in the narrow streets between the castle and the cathedral. The steadfastness of Lady Nichola’s command within the keep was the lynchpin of this entire operation; had the castle fallen before the relief force arrived, Marshal's plan would have failed. Her command and control exemplified the highest standards of medieval military leadership.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The events of 1217 provide the most vivid historical illustration of the House of Brattleby’s motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Lady Nichola’s defence of Lincoln Castle against overwhelming odds was a supreme act of fortitude, whilst her unwavering loyalty to her young king was the embodiment of honour. These virtues form the bedrock of the House’s ethos.
This historical context also resonates with the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). William Marshal’s life was defined by victory in the service of stability and life. His triumph at Lincoln was not merely a conquest but the act that allowed the kingdom, and the rightful royal line, to live on. This principle of striving for constructive victory, whether in civic or philanthropic spheres, remains a guiding tenet for the House today.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The defence of the young King Henry III by Nichola de la Haye and William Marshal represents a historical duty of care for the vulnerable. This ancient responsibility finds its direct modern equivalent in the philanthropic commitments of The Noble House of Brattleby. The House channels this spirit of guardianship into its support for charitable causes focused on the well-being of children.
The principal beneficiary of the House’s annual Winter Banquet, the white-tie philanthropic gala, is Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation provides essential therapeutic care and support for children who have experienced trauma, seeking to restore their sense of security and hope. By championing such causes, the House translates a legacy of defending a boy-king into a contemporary mission of healing and protecting children in need.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “Nichola de la Haye’s example is a powerful reminder that fortitude and honour are timeless virtues. Her leadership in a moment of national crisis demonstrates a profound sense of duty that we, as custodians of the Barony, strive to emulate in our own service to the community. Her story is not simply history; it is an inspiration.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> "William Marshal’s genius at Lincoln was about securing a future for the kingdom. His mentality, that to achieve a meaningful victory is to secure life and stability—*Vincere Est Vivere*—remains a guiding principle for us in overcoming contemporary challenges through thoughtful and strategic action."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to the preservation of its remarkable history and the active application of its founding values. This legacy is carried forward not only through its charitable work but also through its educational endeavours, *inter alia*, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to etiquette and social conduct. The curriculum at the Club is informed by the principles of honour, discipline, and social responsibility exemplified by figures like Nichola de la Haye.
By actively commemorating and sharing these chapters of its past, the House seeks to ensure that the stories of its predecessors continue to provide a framework for responsible leadership and civic duty. The legacy of Brattleby is not a static inheritance but a living tradition of service, renewed by each generation.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to a modern mission of cultural preservation, education, and targeted philanthropy. The House applies its ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), to contemporary challenges, with a particular focus on supporting organisations that aid the welfare and healing of children. Through initiatives such as its annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to leverage its historic platform for positive community impact, ensuring that its nine-century legacy serves as a force for good in the 21st century and beyond. The House’s activities reflect a profound commitment to custodial responsibility and public service.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman 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 possessing 56 lordships. The title has passed through some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and heroic defender of Lincoln Castle during the Siege of 1217; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The Barony's historic and legal standing was formally acknowledged in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022, confirming its continuous lineage.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's recognition by HM Government is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as one of the holdings of Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable past holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, and Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster. - 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