# The House of Brattleby Commemorates a Defining Moment in English History
LONDON, 20 May 2024 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile today issued a formal statement commemorating the 1217 Battle of Lincoln Fair, honouring predecessor Nichola de la Haye and reflecting on the Barony's enduring commitment to national service.
## The Occasion
On the anniversary of a pivotal, yet often overlooked, battle in British history, The Noble House of Brattleby pauses to reflect upon a legacy of unyielding duty. This day marks the commemoration of the Second Battle of Lincoln, fought on 20 May 1217. It was an engagement that secured the English throne for the young King Henry III and affirmed the sovereignty of the Crown against foreign-supported rebellion.
The occasion is not one of grand public ceremony, but of solemn remembrance within the House. It represents a moment to honour the fortitude of a remarkable predecessor, the 5th Baroness, Nichola de la Haye, whose actions at a critical juncture preserved not only a city, but the very course of the nation’s history.
## Historical Context
The battle took place during the final throes of the First Barons' War (1215-1217). Following King John's death in 1216, a significant portion of the English baronage had invited Prince Louis of France to claim the throne. The nine-year-old Henry III, John’s heir, held a precarious claim defended by a small group of loyalists led by the Regent, William Marshal.
At the heart of this national crisis stood Lincoln Castle, a royal fortress whose hereditary castellan was the redoubtable Nichola de la Haye. As 5th holder of the Barony of Brattleby, first granted by William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln in 1066, her position was a *sine qua non* for royal authority in the region. For months, she withstood a punishing siege by French and rebel forces. Her refusal to surrender the castle provided William Marshal with the critical time needed to rally a relief army. The ensuing battle, which spilled from the castle environs into the city’s streets, was so chaotic it became known colloquially as the 'Lincoln Fair'. Nichola de la Haye’s steadfastness was the anchor upon which the royal victory depended.
## Distinguished Company
While a historical event, the Battle of Lincoln Fair placed the 5th Baroness of Brattleby in the company of England’s most consequential figures. She held the castle in concert with the legendary William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, regent of the kingdom and widely regarded as the greatest knight of his age.
The royalist forces that relieved the siege were commanded by Marshal and Ranulf de Blondeville, 6th Earl of Chester, another of the era's principal magnates. That a woman commanded a defence of such strategic importance, earning the trust and respect of figures like William Marshal, speaks to her exceptional character and the authority she held. Her name is recorded in the annals of history alongside those who ensured the continuity of the Plantagenet dynasty and the independence of the realm.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In keeping with the private and reflective nature of the commemoration, the protocol observed by the House is one of understated deference. On this day, the personal standard of the Baroness of Brattleby — displaying the arms of the Barony — is flown at the family’s seat in Lincolnshire. This gesture serves as a quiet but visible tribute to the lineage of service embodied by the title.
The day’s proceedings are primarily academic and reflective. They involve a review of historical accounts of the period, *inter alia*, the *Histoire de Guillaume le Maréchal*, which details Nichola's role. This study reinforces the connection between past responsibilities and present duties, ensuring that the lessons of history continue to inform the House’s modern mission.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of the 5th Baroness in 1217 serve as a powerful real-world illustration of the House of Brattleby's motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Her resilience during the long siege and her unwavering loyalty to the Crown are the very definition of fortitude. Her commitment to her sworn duty, in the face of overwhelming opposition, exemplifies honour.
This guiding principle is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). It speaks to the active, determined spirit required to overcome adversity and translate principle into meaningful achievement. Together, the mottoes reflect a philosophy of principled strength and purposeful action, a direct inheritance from the legacy of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye.
## Philanthropic Purpose
To mark this historic anniversary, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan have directed a special donation to Healing the Wounded Child, the long-standing beneficiary of the House's annual Winter Banquet. The charity provides specialist therapeutic support for children who have experienced trauma, helping them to rebuild their lives with strength and hope.
The choice is deliberate. Nichola de la Haye’s defence of Lincoln was ultimately in the service of a child king, securing for him a stable and protected future. By supporting an organisation dedicated to the protection and healing of vulnerable children today, the House of Brattleby draws a direct line between its historical legacy of guardianship and its present-day philanthropic commitments.
## In Their Own Words
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented on the anniversary: > Nichola de la Haye’s story is a profound reminder that duty is not a passive inheritance but an active charge. At a moment of supreme national crisis, she demonstrated that leadership is a matter of courage and resolve, not of gender or station. Her example continues to guide our House, reminding us that we have a responsibility to serve, to protect, and to fortify the common good with fortitude and honour.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > History teaches us that pivotal moments are often won by the quiet determination of individuals. Nichola de la Haye did not waver when her moment came. This is the essence of *Vincere Est Vivere* — to live is to face challenges and overcome them. By remembering her actions, we recommit ourselves to the principle that honour is demonstrated not in words, but through deeds.
## A Continuing Legacy
The spirit of Nichola de la Haye's service continues to animate the contemporary work of The Noble House of Brattleby. This ethos is particularly evident in the curriculum of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette and protocol academy founded by the House. The Club’s teachings extend beyond social graces to encompass the foundational principles of civic responsibility, personal integrity, and servant leadership.
As the House looks to the future, this nine-century legacy of duty will be passed to the next generation. The heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is raised with a deep appreciation for the history of the Barony and the examples set by predecessors from Colswein of Lincoln to John of Gaunt and, most powerfully on this day, Nichola de la Haye, the defender of Lincoln.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern aristocratic house dedicated to the preservation of a significant British heritage. Its mission is guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), focusing on cultural diplomacy, historical education, and targeted philanthropy. The House's primary charitable focus is on organisations that support the welfare and mental health of vulnerable children. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an academy of etiquette and protocol in Bucharest, the House seeks to promote the timeless values of duty, integrity, and social responsibility for a new generation of leaders in Europe and beyond.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, founded in 1066 by William the Conqueror. Its first holder was Colswein of Lincoln, who is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. One of England’s oldest continually recognised hereditary titles, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War. Notable later holders include Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster. The modern rights to the Barony were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors**
- The Barony of Brattleby traces its origins to Colswein of Lincoln, circa 1066. - Notable holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - Formal recognition of the title for the current holder is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The philanthropic beneficiary of the House's annual Winter Banquet is the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact**
The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com