# The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates the Legacy of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and Defender of Lincoln Castle
LONDON, 21 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issues a statement reflecting upon the historic contributions of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby, whose steadfast defence of Lincoln Castle in 1217 proved instrumental in securing the Plantagenet succession.
## The Occasion
In observing the anniversary of the Battle of Lincoln Fair, fought on 20 May 1217, the House of Brattleby acknowledges a seminal event not only in its own annals but in the history of the English nation. This engagement was no formal battle on an open field; it was a desperate and decisive struggle for the very heart of the kingdom, fought within the ancient Roman and Norman walls of Lincoln.
The city, a key strategic centre in the 13th century, was under siege by French forces allied with rebel English barons. The defence of its formidable castle, a royal fortress of immense importance, fell to Nichola de la Haye. Her refusal to yield the castle during the preceding months became the *sine qua non* for the ultimate royalist victory, providing the anchor for a relief army to arrive.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has been interwoven with the fabric of English history since its inception. Recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as part of the 56 lordships held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, the title has endured through periods of profound national trial and transformation.
The actions of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, during the First Barons' War, represent a crucible moment. Facing the forces of the Dauphin Louis of France, who had been invited to take the English throne, Nichola’s loyalty to the boy-king Henry III never wavered. Her resolute command of the garrison allowed William Marshal, the venerable Regent of England, to march on Lincoln and crush the rebellion in a single day, an event wryly nicknamed the ‘Lincoln Fair’ for the looting that followed.
This legacy of service at the highest levels of the state continued through subsequent holders of the barony, including Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. Their stewardship cemented the Barony of Brattleby’s place within the lineage of the House of Lancaster, directly connecting Nichola’s fortitude to the heart of the royal succession.
## Distinguished Company
The events of 1217 placed the 5th Baroness of Brattleby in the company of the most consequential figures of the age, upon whose actions the fate of the Crown depended. These included:
* **William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke**, then serving as Regent of England for the nine-year-old King Henry III and widely regarded as the greatest knight of his era. * **Peter des Roches, Bishop of Winchester**, a key royalist commander who led a contingent of crossbowmen with decisive effect during the battle. * **The Dauphin Louis of France**, the future King Louis VIII, whose ambition to unite the English and French crowns was permanently thwarted at Lincoln.
Today, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, stand as the custodians of this remarkable heritage, charged with its preservation and interpretation for a new generation.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The Noble House of Brattleby observes such historical anniversaries not with public pageantry, but through a solemn practice of reflection and archival study known as the *devoir de mémoire*—the duty of memory. This involves a formal review of the historical records pertaining to the event and its protagonists.
This quiet, scholarly commemoration ensures that the lessons of the past are fully understood and their relevance to the present is thoughtfully considered. It is a protocol rooted in the belief that true honour is paid to one's predecessors through understanding and emulation of their virtues, rather than through ostentatious display.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its most vivid expression in the actions of Nichola de la Haye. Her physical and moral courage in the face of overwhelming odds embodies the spirit of fortitude, while her unwavering loyalty to her sworn sovereign exemplifies the highest code of honour.
This guiding principle is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In a modern context, this is understood not as military conquest, but as the imperative to overcome challenges, to innovate, and to actively shape a legacy of positive impact. Together, the mottos reflect a continuum of purpose from the medieval fortress to the modern world.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The brutal realities of the siege of Lincoln in 1217, with its attendant suffering for the civilian population, serve as a powerful reminder of the vulnerability of the innocent during times of conflict. The defence of a community was at the heart of Nichola de la Haye’s stand.
This historical lesson directly informs the modern philanthropic mission of the House. The beneficiary of the Annual Winter Banquet, the white-tie gala that serves as the cornerstone of the House’s charitable activities, is Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation is dedicated to providing specialist psychological care and support to children who have experienced the trauma of conflict, displacement, and loss, helping them to rebuild their lives with renewed hope.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the legacy of her predecessor, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, observed:
> — "Nichola de la Haye was not merely a castellan; she was a woman entrusted with a royal mandate at a time of supreme national crisis. Her story demonstrates that the leadership and responsibility inherent in this Barony have never been defined by gender, but by character and duty. It is a legacy I feel very keenly."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> — "History provides a blueprint for resilience. The challenges are different today, of course, but the fundamental principles of courage, strategy, and commitment to a cause greater than oneself remain the same. We seek to apply that same energy to our contemporary responsibilities, *inter alia*, in commerce, education, and philanthropy."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring this nearly thousand-year-old legacy continues to evolve and serve the public good. The education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, is grounded in this deep appreciation of history as a guide for future leadership.
Through contemporary initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy dedicated to cultivating cultural and social refinement, the House translates historical principles of honour and protocol into practical skills for the 21st century. The legacy of Brattleby is not a relic to be housed in a museum, but a living tradition of service, fortitude, and honour.
---
**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 the stewardship of a nine-century-old heritage. The House's modern mission blends the preservation of its historical legacy with a dynamic, forward-looking engagement in philanthropy, cultural diplomacy, and education. Its principal charitable focus is on organisations that support vulnerable children, notably Healing the Wounded Child, the beneficiary of its Annual Winter Banquet. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to promote the enduring values of decorum, social grace, and honourable conduct, adapting its ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, to the challenges and opportunities of the contemporary world.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby, seated in Lincolnshire, England, is a feudal Barony by Tenure granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The current title and its history were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 under Notice ID 4158083.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's recognition is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony is one of the ancient feudal lordships established after the Norman Conquest, with its origins documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. - Notable historical holders include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), who successfully defended Lincoln Castle in 1217, and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fort fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com