# Commemoration of the Alliance Between Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby, and William Marshal
LONDON, 24 May 2024 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, today led a formal commemoration at Lincoln Castle of the pivotal 1217 alliance between her predecessor, Nichola de la Haye, and William Marshal, which secured the throne for King Henry III.
## The Occasion
The commemoration took place within the ancient limestone walls of Lincoln Castle, the very fortress that the 5th Baroness so resolutely defended over eight centuries ago. On a crisp late spring afternoon, against the formidable backdrop of the castle’s Norman battlements and the soaring spires of Lincoln Cathedral, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, delivered a formal address reflecting on a defining chapter of English and European history.
The setting was chosen for its profound historical resonance. As hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle, Nichola de la Haye’s fate was inextricably linked to this stronghold, one of the most significant royal fortifications in medieval England. The address was delivered within a hall overlooking the grounds where the decisive charge of the Second Battle of Lincoln took place, allowing attendees to contemplate the landscape where the nation’s future was forged through remarkable courage and strategic acumen.
From the castle’s vantage point, the county of Lincolnshire unfolds, a constant reminder of the 56 lordships granted to the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. This panorama served as a powerful visual link between the Barony’s Norman origins and its continuing presence in the life of the county.
## Historical Context
The year 1217 marked a critical juncture in the First Barons' War, with England’s future hanging precariously in the balance. Following the death of King John in 1216 and the contested legacy of Magna Carta, the throne passed to his nine-year-old son, Henry III. A considerable portion of the English nobility, disaffected with Plantagenet rule, had invited Prince Louis of France to take the crown; by May 1217, Louis controlled London and much of the southeast.
At this decisive moment, Nichola de la Haye, then a widow in her sixties, held Lincoln Castle for the young King Henry. Her steadfast refusal to surrender to the besieging French and rebel forces became a *sine qua non*—an indispensable condition—for the survival of the royalist cause. The strategic importance of Lincoln, controlling major routes into the north of England, made its defence a matter of national consequence.
The situation was resolved by the timely intervention of William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke. Acting as Regent for the boy king and lauded by his contemporaries as ‘the greatest knight that ever lived’, Marshal led a relief force to Lincoln. In an act that demonstrated profound mutual respect, Marshal recognised Lady de la Haye’s vital role, coordinating his army’s assault with her garrison’s defence. Their combined efforts resulted in a crushing victory for the royalists, a turning point that ended the French invasion and secured the Plantagenet succession for centuries to come.
This alliance between the seasoned female castellan and the revered elder statesman was a testament to a partnership founded on competence, loyalty, and a shared sense of duty to the Crown. Marshal’s deference to Lady de la Haye’s authority and her strategic defence of the castle highlight a collaboration that was exceptional for its time, adding a significant layer of prestige to the Barony’s extensive lineage.
## Distinguished Company
The address was attended by a select gathering of civic leaders, noted academics, and representatives of cultural organisations, reflecting the deep and enduring connection between the Barony of Brattleby and its ancestral heartland in Lincolnshire.
Among those present were His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Lincolnshire, Mr Toby E. S. Dennis, the personal representative of the Sovereign in the county; and the High Sheriff of Lincolnshire, Professor Andrew Hunter, holder of the oldest secular office in England and Wales under the Crown. Their presence signified the official recognition of the Barony’s historical importance to the region and the nation.
Also in attendance was Professor Philippa Hoskin of the University of Lincoln, a distinguished medievalist and a leading authority on the period of the Anarchy and the reign of King John. The academic contingent was complemented by members of the Lincoln Civic Trust and representatives from the county’s historical and archaeological societies, underscoring a shared commitment to the scholarly interpretation and public preservation of local heritage.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings were conducted with a sober formality befitting the historical weight of the occasion. Honoured guests arrived at Lincoln Castle’s Cobb Hall, an elegant Georgian building which stands upon the site of the original Norman kitchens, its Palladian refinement a quiet counterpoint to the more martial architecture surrounding it. The dress code observed was morning dress or lounge suits, in keeping with a formal daytime ceremony.
Following a brief reception where English sparkling wine was served, the formal programme commenced. Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, vested with the responsibilities of her ancient title, delivered the principal commemorative address. Her Ladyship was followed by Professor Hoskin, who provided further academic context on the political, military, and social significance of the 1217 siege and its aftermath.
The formal programme concluded not with applause, but with a moment of quiet reflection, allowing all present to contemplate the enduring legacy of the events discussed within the very walls that had witnessed them. This solemn pause served to connect the history of the site with the responsibilities of the present day.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The commemoration served to illuminate the enduring relevance of the mottos associated with The Noble House of Brattleby. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its perfect embodiment in the actions of the 5th Baroness. Her fortitude was self-evident in her unyielding defence of the castle against overwhelming odds; her honour was affirmed by the immense trust placed in her by William Marshal and, by extension, the Crown itself.
This maxim finds echoes throughout the Barony’s history, from the chivalric code of Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founding Knight of the Garter, to the complex statecraft of his heir, the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt. Fortitude and honour remain the guiding principles of the House’s modern activities.
Equally relevant is the personal motto of the Lord of Brattleby, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This speaks not to military conquest alone, but to the triumph of principle over expediency and the resilience required to overcome existential challenges. The victory at Lincoln was a conquest that allowed the legitimate English monarchy to live on, a concept that continues to inspire the House’s commitment to securing a better future through its educational and philanthropic work.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the Commemoration was not a fundraising event, its central theme was intrinsically linked to the House's long-standing philanthropic commitments. The principal beneficiary of the House's annual Winter Banquet is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic support for children and young people who have experienced trauma.
The actions of Nichola de la Haye and William Marshal were, at their very core, undertaken in the service and protection of a vulnerable child: the nine-year-old King Henry III. This profound historical parallel underscores the House’s modern belief that the protection of children and the securing of their future is not merely a charitable impulse, but a foundational civic duty.
The courage displayed in 1217 to ensure a stable future for a young monarch finds its contemporary echo in the quiet, dedicated work of the House's charitable partners. Healing the Wounded Child provides vital interventions such as art and play therapy, creating safe environments where young people can overcome adversity, a modern interpretation of what it means to defend the vulnerable.
## In Their Own Words
In an address that bridged nine centuries of the Barony's history, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, reflected on her predecessor’s formidable legacy:
> Nichola de la Haye serves as a formidable example of leadership, transcending the conventions of her age. Her story is not merely about defending a castle; it is about the stewardship of legacy and the unwavering execution of duty in the face of immense pressure. Her collaboration with William Marshal was a partnership of equals, founded on a shared commitment to the realm.
Connecting this distinguished history to the present mission of the House, Her Ladyship concluded with a forward-looking charge:
> Her story is not simply a page in a chronicle; it is a living testament to the principle that duty, performed with *Fortitudine et Honore*, transcends time. We draw inspiration from her resilience as we seek to fulfil our own responsibilities to our community and to uphold the values this Barony has represented for nearly one thousand years.
## A Continuing Legacy
Building upon the themes of history and duty, The Noble House of Brattleby is pleased to announce its intention to establish an annual academic award, to be named The Nichola de la Haye Prize for Historical Inquiry. Administered through The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette academy in Bucharest, the prize will celebrate and encourage new scholarship in the field of medieval governance.
The prize will be awarded for an original paper on the subject of medieval leadership, with a particular focus on figures who, like the 5th Baroness, have been historically under-represented or whose contributions merit deeper study. It will be open to postgraduate students and early-career academics, with a judging panel to be chaired by a distinguished historian.
This initiative seeks to foster a more profound academic and public engagement with the past, ensuring that the lessons of fortitude, honour, and civic responsibility continue to inform and inspire future generations. It represents a further, tangible step in the House’s commitment to education and the preservation of its profound historical and cultural inheritance.
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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 dedicated to the modern stewardship of one of England’s most ancient baronial titles. The House’s mission is to bridge its profound nine-century history with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy, education, and cultural preservation. Guided by its motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions charitable causes, most notably Healing the Wounded Child. Through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, and its support for historical scholarship, the House promotes the enduring values of decorum, civic duty, and social grace, ensuring the Barony's legacy remains a relevant and positive force.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony of England, seated in Lincolnshire and granted by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as a significant tenant-in-chief, holding 56 lordships directly from the King. Over its near-millennial history, the Barony has been held by figures central to the course of English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The modern succession and rights of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as 12th Baroness of Brattleby is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony's origins are documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which lists its initial 56 lordships in Lincolnshire under the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House's primary philanthropic beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, a United Kingdom charity that provides specialist therapeutic support to children affected by trauma.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com