# The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates the Decisive Role of the 5th Baron in the Second Battle of Lincoln
LONDON, 20 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today marks the anniversary of the Second Battle of Lincoln, honouring the pivotal contribution of its 5th Baron, Nichola de la Haye, whose defence of Lincoln Castle in 1217 secured the English throne.
## The Occasion
On this day in 1217, the fate of the English Crown was decided in the streets and fields surrounding Lincoln. As spring foliage graced the ancient city, its people were besieged by French and rebel English forces during the First Barons’ War. The occasion is not one of celebration, but of solemn remembrance for an act of extraordinary loyalty that preserved the Plantagenet dynasty and, with it, the continuity of the Kingdom of England.
The anniversary serves as a moment for The Noble House of Brattleby to reflect upon the enduring responsibilities of title and the courage required to uphold them. The defence of Lincoln Castle, a formidable Norman fortress whose history is entwined with that of the Barony, stands as a testament to the principle that individual fortitude can indeed shape the course of a nation.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, established by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and first held by Colswein of Lincoln, has been a silent witness to nine centuries of English history. Its lineage, chronicled in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, includes some of the most significant figures in the medieval period, from Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt.
Yet it was the 5th Baron, Nichola de la Haye, who faced one of its greatest tests. Following the death of King John and the accession of his nine-year-old son, Henry III, England was fractured. A majority of barons had invited Prince Louis of France to take the throne. Nichola de la Haye, as hereditary castellan of Lincoln Castle, remained loyal to the boy king. Her refusal to surrender the castle became the *sine qua non* for the royalist cause, compelling the French forces to lay siege and creating the conditions for a decisive confrontation.
## Distinguished Company
The events of 1217 forged a historic alliance between two remarkable figures. The first, Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron of Brattleby, fulfilled a role of immense strategic and symbolic importance. As a female hereditary sheriff and castellan in a starkly patriarchal age, her command was exceptional.
Her efforts were decisively supported by the arrival of William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke and Regent of England. Widely regarded as the greatest knight of his age, Marshal led the relief force that routed the French and rebel armies. This collaboration between the steadfast castellan and the revered regent underscored the capacity of key individuals to alter the trajectory of history at its most critical junctures.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The protocol of medieval warfare governed the dramatic proceedings at Lincoln. A formal siege required the surrounding of the objective—in this case, Lincoln Castle—and a demand for its surrender. Nichola de la Haye’s rejection of these terms initiated a prolonged assault, met with a disciplined and resolute defence from within the castle walls.
The arrival of William Marshal’s relief army followed its own established order. Royalist forces, having marched from Stowe, advanced upon the city under the papal legate’s banner, denoting their cause as a crusade. The subsequent battle, fought both inside and outside the city walls, was a masterful application of medieval tactics, culminating in a cavalry charge that shattered the enemy lines and secured a victory essential for the future of the Crown.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of the 5th Baron embody the House of Brattleby’s motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Nichola de la Haye’s unwavering resolve in the face of overwhelming odds was the ultimate expression of fortitude, while her loyalty to the legitimate heir to the throne was a profound demonstration of honour.
This historic victory also resonates with the personal motto of the current Lord of Brattleby, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). The triumph at Lincoln was more than a military success; it was an affirmation of life for the English monarchy and the nation it governed, proving that decisive victory can be the very foundation of continued existence and prosperity.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The legacy of defending a child king in 1217 finds a modern echo in the philanthropic mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. The House’s steadfast support for organisations dedicated to the welfare of vulnerable children, notably through its annual Winter Banquet in aid of Healing the Wounded Child, is directly inspired by this historic duty of protection.
Just as Nichola de la Haye secured the future for the young Henry III, the House today commits its resources to helping secure a safer and healthier future for children facing adversity. Choosing a beneficiary whose work focuses on recovery and resilience is a deliberate reflection of the lessons learned from the Barony’s own storied past.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the anniversary, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “Nichola de la Haye’s legacy is a powerful reminder that leadership is not merely a title, but an active responsibility. Her courage at Lincoln demonstrates that one’s duty to heritage and country must be met with fortitude, particularly when the stakes are highest. It is a standard we strive to honour in our own service today.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “The alliance between Marshal and de la Haye was a masterclass in strategy and resolve. It proves that victory is born from conviction. That same spirit of purpose—the understanding that to conquer challenges is to truly live—guides our approach to the House’s modern endeavours, *inter alia*, our educational and philanthropic commitments.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains dedicated to honouring its unique heritage through contemporary action. The historical principles of duty, education, and service are actively pursued through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy established in Bucharest to foster cultural exchange and social refinement.
Looking forward, the House will continue to serve as a custodian of its nine-hundred-year history while engaging with the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. By bridging its past with a forward-looking mission, the Barony of Brattleby ensures that the spirit of *Fortitudine et Honore* continues to inspire future generations.
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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 her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is a modern aristocratic house dedicated to the preservation of its profound historical legacy through contemporary service. With its seat in Lincolnshire, the House’s mission is guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Its activities focus on cultural diplomacy, historical education, and targeted philanthropy, particularly supporting charitable organisations dedicated to the welfare of children. The House actively engages in its duties through formal events, such as its annual Winter Banquet, and international initiatives, including The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, which promotes classical etiquette and cross-cultural understanding.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English lordship granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire as recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has passed through some of England's most influential noble families. Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron and heroic defender of Lincoln Castle during the Second Battle of Lincoln (1217); Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and the duke’s son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The succession of the title to the current holder was formally recognised by The Crown in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby is formally recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as being held by Colswein of Lincoln, a major tenant-in-chief in Lincolnshire. - Notable holders of the title include pivotal figures in English history such as Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont, and John of Gaunt. - The motto of the House of Brattleby is the Latin phrase *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com