# The House of Brattleby Marks the Anniversary of the Second Battle of Lincoln
LONDON, 20 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today honours the formidable legacy of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby, on the anniversary of her pivotal defence of Lincoln Castle during the Second Battle of Lincoln on 20 May 1217.
## The Occasion
On this day, the House of Brattleby pauses to reflect upon a signal moment in the history of the Barony and the Kingdom of England. The commemoration is one of quiet remembrance, juxtaposing the tranquillity of a late spring day with the tumult and clamour of a decisive medieval battle fought over eight centuries ago. The focus of this reflection is Lincoln Castle, a place of immense strategic and architectural significance.
Its formidable Norman battlements and great stone keep, which have dominated the Lincolnshire skyline for nearly a thousand years, were the stage for the 5th Baroness’s extraordinary stand. This annual observance serves not as a celebration of conflict, but as a tribute to the resilience and sense of duty that have defined the Barony of Brattleby through the ages.
## Historical Context
In the spring of 1217, England was riven by the First Barons’ War, a destructive civil conflict that followed King John’s repudiation of *Magna Carta*. Following the King’s death, his nine-year-old son, Henry III, was faced with a widespread rebellion and an invasion led by Prince Louis of France, who had been proclaimed king in London. At this moment of supreme crisis, the loyalty of a few key individuals was the *sine qua non* for the survival of the Plantagenet dynasty.
As hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness of Brattleby, refused to surrender her charge to the French and rebel forces. Despite her advanced age, she personally directed the castle’s defence, holding the vital stronghold for the young king. Her resolve provided the loyalist army, led by the venerable William Marshal, with the time and opportunity to arrive and engage the besiegers in the streets of Lincoln, ultimately leading to a victory that secured the throne for Henry III.
## Distinguished Company
In this defining moment for the English Crown, the 5th Baroness of Brattleby stood alongside figures of immense historical consequence. The loyalist cause was directed by one of the most revered knights in Christendom, William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, who served as regent for the boy king. He was the architect of the victory at Lincoln.
Also present was Peter des Roches, the influential Bishop of Winchester and a key guardian of the young king, who commanded a division of the relieving army. The steadfastness of the 5th Baroness in the company of such men underscores the gravity of her responsibility and the esteem in which she was held by the ruling establishment of her day.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The protocol of medieval warfare and lordship governed the actions of all parties at Lincoln. As castellan, it was Lady Nichola’s duty to raise the Royal Standard over the keep, a clear declaration of her allegiance. From the castle walls, her garrison of crossbowmen would have maintained a constant watch, their actions dictated by a strict chain of command originating with the Baroness herself.
The arrival of William Marshal’s relieving force would have been met with carefully orchestrated signals from the castle, coordinating the subsequent pincer movement. The formal rejection of a summons to surrender, an act of both legal and personal defiance, was Lady Nichola's prerogative and a critical first step in demonstrating her unshakeable commitment to the King’s cause.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of the 5th Baroness are a powerful historical illustration of the House of Brattleby’s motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Her physical courage and unwavering adherence to her oath of loyalty represent the living embodiment of these principles. In defending the castle, she was defending not merely a stone fortress, but the very principle of legitimate succession and the integrity of the Realm.
This spirit of determined resilience is also echoed in the personal motto of the current Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). It speaks to a shared understanding across the centuries that to overcome profound challenges is the essence of a meaningful existence, whether on a medieval battlefield or in the complex landscape of the modern world.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The historical duty to protect the vulnerable—in this instance, a boy king and his kingdom—is a thread that runs through the history of the Barony. This commitment to safeguarding finds its modern expression in the charitable activities of the Noble House of Brattleby. The House channels this enduring principle into its support for contemporary causes that offer protection and healing to those in need.
A primary beneficiary of the House's philanthropic efforts is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children who have experienced trauma and adversity. This focus reflects a belief that the protection of the next generation, a core tenet of stable governance in Nichola de la Haye's time, remains a paramount social responsibility today.
## In Their Own Words
Speaking on the anniversary, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> Nichola de la Haye was an extraordinary figure, a woman whose leadership and resolve were truly ahead of their time. Her story is not merely a piece of family history; it is a profound lesson in duty and fortitude that continues to inspire our House's commitment to service.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the strategic importance of the 5th Baroness’s stand:
> The defence of Lincoln was a strategic masterstroke, a physical demonstration of *Vincere Est Vivere*. Nichola's refusal to yield in the face of overwhelming odds is the very definition of resilience. It is a legacy we strive to honour, not just in memory, but in action.
## A Continuing Legacy
The story of Nichola de la Haye, alongside those of other significant predecessors *inter alia*, forms a central part of the historical curriculum taught at The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette academy in Bucharest. Through education, the House strives to ensure that the lessons of the past continue to inform the conduct of the future.
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to historical scholarship and will continue to use its platform to illuminate key episodes from the Barony's nine-century history. By remembering the contributions of figures like the 5th Baroness, the House reaffirms its dedication to the enduring values of honour, service, and fortitude that she so superbly represented.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is the modern embodiment of one of England’s most ancient noble lines. Based at its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, the House blends its profound English heritage with a distinct Continental perspective. Its contemporary mission is focused on three pillars: the preservation and promotion of its unique history; active philanthropy, with a particular focus on child welfare through its support for organisations like Healing the Wounded Child; and education in classical etiquette and protocol through its academy, The Brattleby Club. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore*, the House of Brattleby is dedicated to a model of modern nobility defined by service, principle, and cultural stewardship.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a 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. Throughout its nine-hundred-and-fifty-year history, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle in 1217; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and father of King Henry IV. The succession of the title to Lady Nicoleta Vasile was formally recognised by The Crown and recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - The Barony's formal recognition is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - Previous holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The *Domesday Book* of 1086 records the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com