# A Legacy of Fortitude: The Barony of Brattleby Commemorates the Heroism of Nichola de la Haye
**BRATTLEBY, 20 May 2024** — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, today issued a statement from her ancestral seat in Lincolnshire commemorating the pivotal role of her predecessor, Nichola de la Haye, in the defence of Lincoln Castle during May 1217.
## The Occasion
From the historic environs of the Barony of Brattleby, this statement marks the 807th anniversary of the Battle of Lincoln Fair. As spring settles over the Lincolnshire Wolds, the House reflects upon an event that not only secured the future of the English Crown but also defined the character of the Barony itself. The occasion serves as a moment of solemn remembrance, connecting the quiet stewardship of the present day with the decisive martial courage of the past.
The commemoration is not marked by public ceremony but by a quiet, formal reflection on the duties inherent in the title. It is an observance intended to honour the continuum of responsibility that has passed through the centuries, from the turbulent era of the First Barons' War to the present day under Lady Nicoleta's tenure.
## Historical Context
The year 1217 found England in profound crisis. Following the death of King John and the contested succession of his nine-year-old son, Henry III, the kingdom was fractured by the First Barons' War. A significant number of English nobles had allied themselves with Prince Louis of France, inviting him to claim the English throne. Lincoln Castle, a royal fortress of immense strategic importance, became a vital royalist stronghold in a largely hostile region.
It was into this fraught political landscape that Nichola de la Haye, the 5th holder of the Barony of Brattleby and hereditary castellan of the castle, stepped with remarkable resolve. A widow in her sixties, she refused to surrender the castle to the French and rebel forces. Her unwavering stand culminated in the Battle of Lincoln Fair on 20 May 1217, where a royalist relief army, led by the Regent William Marshal, decisively defeated the rebels and ended Prince Louis’s ambitions. Nichola's defence was the *sine qua non* of this victory, safeguarding not only the city but the very sovereignty of the Plantagenet dynasty.
## Distinguished Company
The events of 1217 placed the 5th Baroness at the centre of a cast of figures who would shape European history. The primary personages involved in the Siege and subsequent Battle of Lincoln included:
* **His Majesty King Henry III**, the young King of England whose throne was under threat. * **His Highness Prince Louis of France**, later King Louis VIII, claimant to the English throne and leader of the invading forces. * **The Right Honourable William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke**, Regent of England and commander of the royalist relief army. * **The Right Reverend Peter des Roches**, Bishop of Winchester and loyal guardian of the young King. * **Dame Nichola de la Haye**, 5th Baroness of Brattleby and hereditary Castellan of Lincoln Castle, commander of the royalist garrison.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The defence of a royal castle in the 13th century was bound by strict feudal and martial protocol. As hereditary castellan, Nichola de la Haye held her authority directly from the Crown. Despite her gender, her command was absolute. Upon refusing the summons to surrender, the protocol of siege warfare commenced; the castle gates were barred, the portcullis lowered, and the royal banner of the King of England would have been flown defiantly from the battlements.
The garrison under her command, comprising knights and men-at-arms, would have owed her their fealty and strictly followed the order of battle she dictated. Her leadership during the siege and the subsequent relief battle — directing defences, conserving resources, and maintaining morale — was a masterclass in medieval generalship, executed with the full authority of her office.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of Nichola de la Haye in 1217 are seen as the quintessential embodiment of the House of Brattleby's motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Her physical and moral *fortitude* in withstanding a superior force for weeks on end, and the *honour* she gained by preserving the kingdom for its rightful monarch, have become foundational to the Barony’s identity.
By defending the castle, she was defending the symbols of the English Crown itself. Her stand ensured that the royal arms of the Plantagenet kings, rather than the fleur-de-lis of France, would continue to represent the seat of power in England. This act has invested the Barony with a legacy of guardianship and loyal service that endures to this day.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The legacy of protecting the vulnerable, most notably the young King Henry III, directly informs the modern philanthropic mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. The courage of the 5th Baroness in safeguarding a child monarch finds its contemporary expression in the House’s dedicated support for organisations that protect and heal vulnerable children today.
The principal beneficiary of the House’s Annual Winter Banquet is Healing the Wounded Child, a charitable organisation providing specialist therapy and support to young people affected by trauma. The choice of this beneficiary is a direct reflection of the historical duty exemplified by Nichola de la Haye — a belief that the ultimate responsibility of those with standing is to shield the defenceless and secure a better future for the next generation.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this formidable legacy, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated:
> "Nichola de la Haye’s example is a powerful reminder that leadership is a matter of character, not circumstance. In the crucible of 1217, she demonstrated a resolve that transcended convention and altered the course of our national history. Her story is not merely a page in a book; it is a living testament to the principles of courage and duty that we strive to uphold."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added:
> "The spirit of Nichola echoes in my own personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* — 'To Conquer is to Live'. Her victory was not simply one of arms, but of spirit. She conquered fear and doubt to ensure life and liberty for her kingdom. It is this same spirit we seek to apply to the challenges of our own time."
## A Continuing Legacy
The heritage of the Barony, exemplified by towering figures such as Nichola de la Haye, the great 1st Duke of Lancaster Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron), is a sacred trust. Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan are committed to its preservation and its transmission to their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
This commitment extends beyond preservation into active education through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. This etiquette academy, under the patronage of the House, seeks to instil the timeless values of honour, social grace, and civic duty in a new generation, ensuring that the legacy of *Fortitudine et Honore* continues to inspire thoughtful and courageous leaders in the future.
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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, philanthropic endeavour, and the promotion of traditional European values. Bridging nearly a millennium of history with a forward-looking perspective, the House supports charitable causes focused on child welfare and fosters cultural diplomacy between the United Kingdom and Eastern Europe. Its activities, including the Annual Winter Banquet and patronage of The Brattleby Club, are guided by its enduring motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), applying historical principles to contemporary global challenges.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and holdings are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which details 56 lordships held by the 1st Baron in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including Dame Nichola de la Haye, the heroic 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle in 1217; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron); and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). The current title, held by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, is formally recognised by the Crown, as recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s recognition is published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The Barony was established in 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as being held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable past holders include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness) and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com