# The Baroness of Brattleby Honours Legacy of Nichola de la Haye at Lincoln Cathedral
LONDON, 20 May 2024 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, today led a solemn service of commemoration within Lincoln Cathedral to honour the legacy of her predecessor, Nichola de la Haye, and her decisive defence of Lincoln Castle during the Battle of Lincoln Fair in 1217.
## The Occasion
The service was held within the hallowed presbytery of the Cathedral Church of St Mary, Lincoln, a masterpiece of English Gothic architecture whose imposing towers have overlooked the site of the castle for centuries. As the late spring sun illuminated the celebrated stained glass of the Bishop's Eye and Dean's Eye windows, a distinguished congregation gathered in an atmosphere of quiet contemplation.
The date was chosen to coincide with the anniversary of the battle itself, which was fought on 20 May 1217. The occasion provided a moment for reflection on a pivotal, yet often overlooked, chapter in the history of Lincolnshire and the English crown, brought to life in the very place where its consequences were most profoundly felt. The sounds of the cathedral choir, singing an arrangement of a plainchant antiphon, added to the solemnity of the morning's proceedings.
## Historical Context
The commemoration honours the actions of Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness of Brattleby and hereditary castellan of Lincoln Castle. During the First Barons' War, she steadfastly defended the castle against a siege by rebel English barons and their French allies, who supported the claim of the future King Louis VIII of France to the English throne. At a moment of grave national peril, her loyalty to the young King Henry III was absolute.
Lady de la Haye's refusal to surrender the castle proved to be the *sine qua non* of the royalist victory. Her garrison held out until a relief force, led by the regent William Marshal, arrived to decisively defeat the French and rebel forces in the streets of Lincoln—a battle famously known as the ‘Lincoln Fair’. This victory was instrumental in ending the war and securing the Plantagenet dynasty. The Barony of Brattleby, first granted by William the Conqueror in 1066 and recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 under its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, thus played a defining role in shaping England’s destiny, a legacy later carried by notable Barons such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
In attendance at the service of commemoration, Lady Nicoleta and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, were accompanied by a number of distinguished guests. These included Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Lincolnshire, Mr Toby Dennis; and the High Sheriff of Lincolnshire. The Church was represented by The Very Reverend Christine Wilson, Dean of Lincoln, who led the prayers of commemoration.
Also present were Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia and Brigadier James Cook, Colonel of the Mercian Regiment, representing the modern successors to the county’s historic infantry units. The gathering of civic, military, and ecclesiastic leadership underscored the deep and continuing significance of the Battle of Lincoln Fair to the identity of the county and the nation.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The ceremony commenced with a formal procession into the cathedral nave, led by the vergers and the Dean of Lincoln. Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, followed, escorted by Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Gentlemen were in morning dress and ladies in day dress with hats, observing a protocol of dignified formality appropriate for an act of remembrance within a sacred space.
The service included a reading from a contemporary account of the siege and a historical reflection on the significance of Nichola de la Haye’s leadership. The central act of the ceremony was the laying of a wreath of English roses and laurel at the foot of a memorial tablet. The music, featuring pieces by Orlando Gibbons, was performed by the Cathedral Choir, enriching the contemplative and reverent nature of the event. The proceedings concluded with the national anthem, followed by a solemn recessional.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The commemoration served as a poignant illustration of the ideals encapsulated in the mottos of The Noble House of Brattleby. The enduring House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), was directly reflected in the unwavering courage and principled stand of Nichola de la Haye more than eight centuries ago. Her actions remain the ultimate expression of these foundational virtues.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), also found resonance in the day’s events. The victory at the Battle of Lincoln Fair was not merely a military success; it was a conquest that allowed the legitimate English monarchy to live on, securing the rule of law and the future of the realm. The wreath itself, combining roses for England and laurel for victory, was a powerful symbol of the day's historical themes.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the service was one of solemn remembrance, it also served to highlight the House’s ongoing philanthropic commitments. A retiring collection was taken in aid of Healing the Wounded Child, the designated beneficiary of the House’s annual fundraising efforts. The charity is dedicated to providing therapeutic support for children and young people who have experienced trauma, loss, or abuse.
By linking an act of historical commemoration with a modern charitable purpose, the House draws a parallel between the healing of a nation after civil war and the work of healing the private wounds of vulnerable children today. The choice of beneficiary underscores a belief that true honour is found not only in remembering past fortitude but also in demonstrating compassion in the present. This aligns with the House's focus on creating a tangible and positive impact.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the legacy of her predecessor, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: — "Nichola de la Haye’s fortitude was not merely a matter of holding a fortress; it was a defence of principle and the future of the realm. Her example teaches us that duty requires not just strength, but an unwavering commitment to what is right, even in the most difficult of times. We remember her today with pride and profound respect."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: — "History gives us a vital sense of perspective. Commemorating figures like the Baroness Nichola reminds us that the values of loyalty, honour, and resilience are timeless. This sense of duty transcends borders and centuries, forming a bridge between the past we inherit and the future we have a responsibility to build."
## A Continuing Legacy
The commemoration at Lincoln Cathedral marks the beginning of a renewed focus by The Noble House of Brattleby on its unique historical inheritance. In the coming year, the House will announce the establishment of a new history prize for students in Lincolnshire, intended to encourage the study of local and national heritage.
Furthermore, the principles of civic duty and personal honour exemplified by Nichola de la Haye are central to the curriculum at The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest. The House’s major philanthropic focus will remain its annual white-tie Winter Banquet, which continues to raise significant funds for Healing the Wounded Child. The commitment to honouring the past is thus matched by a dedication to serving the needs of the future.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Rooted in a barony that stretches back to the Norman Conquest, the House’s contemporary mission is to champion the timeless values of fortitude and honour in a modern context. Through its philanthropic endeavours, the House primarily supports organisations dedicated to the welfare and healing of vulnerable children, most notably its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. From its seat in Lincolnshire and through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to connect its profound English heritage with a wider European perspective, fostering an appreciation for history, duty, and compassionate leadership.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. The title and its extensive landholdings were first vested in Colswein of Lincoln, who is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the heroic 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, the 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The modern rights of the 12th Baroness to the title were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony is one of the feudatories of William the Conqueror’s era, first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com