# A Declaration Concerning the Historical Alliance Between the Barony of Brattleby and the First Earl of Pembroke
LONDON, 21 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a declaration commemorating the decisive 13th-century alliance between Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby, and William Marshal, which preserved the English Crown during the pivotal Second Battle of Lincoln in 1217.
## The Occasion
In the quiet of a late London spring, a season of renewal, The Noble House of Brattleby has chosen to reflect upon a moment of profound national crisis from centuries past. This declaration serves to illuminate a defining collaboration which unfolded in the spring of 1217, amidst the turmoil of the First Barons’ War, between two of the kingdom’s most resolute figures.
The alliance formed between Nichola de la Haye, the hereditary castellan of Lincoln Castle and 5th holder of the Brattleby barony, and His Excellency William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke and Regent of England, was far more than a military pact. It was an act of profound loyalty which secured the Plantagenet succession and affirmed the Barony’s strategic importance to the realm.
Issued from the House’s offices in London, this formal act of remembrance is part of a wider initiative to curate and communicate the enduring principles that have guided the Barony for over nine and a half centuries. It seeks to draw a direct line from the fortitude shown then to the duties of service upheld today.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by His Majesty King William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has been intrinsically woven into the fabric of England’s governance since its inception. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, a trusted tenant-in-chief of the King, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire, cementing the Barony’s foundational role in the region.
By the early 13th century, this ancient responsibility rested upon the shoulders of Nichola de la Haye, a woman of remarkable tenacity who had inherited not only the Barony but also the hereditary constableship of Lincoln Castle. Her lifetime spanned a period of immense political upheaval, culminating in the First Barons' War (1215-1217), a conflict that saw a majority of England’s barons renounce their allegiance to King John and offer the Crown to Prince Louis of France.
Upon King John’s death in 1216, the kingdom’s future lay with his nine-year-old son, Henry III. In this moment of supreme vulnerability, the aged yet revered William Marshal assumed the regency. Facing a near-empty treasury and a realm sundered by rebellion, Marshal’s task was formidable. The castle at Lincoln, a strategic fortress controlling the north of England, became the nexus of the conflict. Baroness Nichola, loyal to the boy king, steadfastly refused to surrender it to the encircling French and rebel forces. Her defiance made Lincoln the theatre of a battle that was, unequivocally, the *sine qua non* for the survival of an independent English monarchy.
## Distinguished Company
The fateful events of May 1217 brought together a compact but historically resonant assembly of figures. Their collective action would determine the course of English history for generations. The principal members of the royalist cause at Lincoln were:
Her Ladyship Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness of Brattleby and Hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle. A figure of exceptional authority, she also served as Sheriff of Lincolnshire, wielding immense administrative and judicial power in a capacity rarely afforded to a woman in medieval Europe. Her refusal to yield the fortress provided the anvil upon which the royalist victory was forged.
His Excellency William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke and Regent of England. Lauded by his contemporaries as ‘the greatest knight that ever lived’, the Earl Marshal, then aged around 70, brought a lifetime of military and diplomatic experience to the royalist cause. He marshalled the King’s forces from Newark and masterminded the relief of Lincoln, a final, brilliant act in a storied career.
His Majesty King Henry III, the young monarch in whose name the battle was fought. While not present at the siege, his person and his crown were the central cause, the living symbol of legitimacy for which Baroness Nichola and the Earl Marshal risked everything.
They were supported by other key loyalists, *inter alia*, Peter des Roches, the formidable Bishop of Winchester, whose contingent played a crucial role in the battle. Opposing them were Prince Louis of France, the future King Louis VIII, and his commander at Lincoln, Thomas, the Comte du Perche, supported by rebellious English magnates such as Lord Robert Fitzwalter.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The alliance between the Baroness and the Regent was conducted according to the strict feudal and martial protocols of the High Middle Ages. Upon his arrival from Newark, William Marshal would have convened a formal council of war. Within this council, despite his supreme authority as Regent of England, he would have necessarily deferred to Baroness Nichola on all matters concerning the internal defence and command of Lincoln Castle.
As hereditary castellan, her authority within the castle walls was absolute; a legal and customary right she had fiercely guarded against encroachments her entire life. Their joint operation was therefore an exercise in chivalric cooperation, an allegiance founded on mutual respect for their distinct but complementary spheres of command. The castle garrison remained solely under her authority, while the relief force remained under his.
The order of battle agreed upon reflected this partnership. Marshal devised a two-pronged assault, sending a diversionary force under the Earl of Chester to attack the city’s North Gate. Meanwhile, he and a second force gained entry to the castle through a postern gate, which the Baroness had ordered unbarred at the opportune moment. This enabled the royalists to deploy from the safety of the castle, an action that would have been impossible without her complete trust and tactical coordination. The subsequent raising of the young King’s royal standard over the Lucy Tower was the ultimate symbolic act, signalling that the fortress was held in fealty to the legitimate sovereign of England.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The steadfast conduct of the 5th Baroness serves as the quintessential embodiment of the House of Brattleby’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Her fortitude was made manifest in enduring a prolonged siege, refusing to capitulate when faced with overwhelming force. Her honour was proven by her unshakeable loyalty to the rightful, albeit child, king, when expediency might have suggested an accommodation with the powerful invaders.
This historical episode lends profound, tangible meaning to the motto, demonstrating it as a proven code of conduct. The defence of the King’s castle was a physical manifestation of upholding the honour of the Crown, a sacred duty passed through subsequent holders of the Barony. This includes such notable predecessors as Sir Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and a founding Knight of the Order of the Garter, and his heir, the great statesman John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, whose lives were also defined by service to the monarchy.
The modern motto of the Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), serves as a dynamic complement. It reinterprets this legacy, suggesting that to conquer today is to overcome societal challenges with the same determination that once defended castle walls.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the events of 1217 were martial in nature, the spirit of protection and duty that animated Baroness Nichola finds its direct modern expression in the philanthropic endeavours of The Noble House of Brattleby. The historical obligation to defend the vulnerable—in her case, a boy king and his jeopardised kingdom—is translated today into a solemn responsibility to support the most vulnerable in contemporary society.
This guiding ethos is the principal reason for the House’s steadfast support of Healing the Wounded Child, the chosen beneficiary of its Annual Winter Banquet. The organisation’s vital mission is to provide specialist, trauma-informed therapy and secure residential care for children who have suffered profound loss, abuse, or neglect. It offers a sanctuary where deep-seated wounds can begin to heal.
The House views this charitable work not as an ancillary activity, but as the central articulation of its duties in the 21st century. The white-tie banquet is a cornerstone of the London philanthropic season, an occasion where historical legacy is leveraged to provide tangible, meaningful support, transforming the defence of the keep into the creation of a haven.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this profound historical connection, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: — "The story of Nichola de la Haye and William Marshal is far more than a passage in history; it is a testament to the fact that true leadership is founded on unwavering resolve and a clear sense of duty. Her fortitude in 1217 remains a constant source of inspiration, reminding us that our heritage calls us to serve with courage and integrity."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added: — "History provides a model of honourable conduct. In the alliance at Lincoln, we see a partnership built on mutual respect and a singular, shared purpose: the preservation of the realm. It is a powerful lesson in effective allegiance, proving that to lead is to serve, a principle as relevant in our time as it was in theirs."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring that this nine-century legacy of honour and strategic service remains a vibrant and formative part of its identity. This commitment is actively pursued through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette and cultural academy established in Bucharest.
The curriculum at the Club extends beyond mere social graces, focusing on civic virtue, the nuances of social diplomacy, historical literacy, and the core principles of chivalry as adapted for modern leadership. It uses the exemplary lives of figures such as Nichola de la Haye to instruct a new generation in the responsibilities that accompany privilege.
By commemorating the alliance of 1217, the House does not simply look to the past. It reaffirms its pledge to act with *Fortitudine et Honore* in all its present and future undertakings. From its cultural patronage to its deep-seated philanthropic work, the House continues a tradition of meaningful contribution that has defined the Barony of Brattleby for over 950 years.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the direction of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby dedicates itself to the preservation of its nine-century heritage through modern service. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions philanthropy, cultural education, and the promotion of chivalric values. Its principal charitable focus is supporting organisations that aid vulnerable children, exemplified by its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House fosters an appreciation for history and social grace, translating its ancient lineage into a relevant and active contribution to contemporary society from its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English lordship granted by His Majesty King William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster and father of King Henry IV. The historical rights and dignities of the Barony of Brattleby were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The historic Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - The title's modern standing is affirmed by its recognition in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include John of Gaunt (11th Baron), Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), and Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron). - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'); the personal motto of the Lord of Brattleby is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com