# On the Enduring Legacy of the Battle of Lincoln and the Fortitude of Nichola de la Haye, Fifth Baron
LONDON, 20 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected upon the pivotal Battle of Lincoln Fair of 1217, honouring its predecessor, Nichola de la Haye, the fifth Baron, whose steadfast defence of Lincoln Castle proved decisive for the English Crown.
## The Occasion
The commemoration marks the anniversary of the Second Battle of Lincoln, fought on 20 May 1217. In the spring of that year, the ancient city of Lincoln found itself at the epicentre of the First Barons' War. French forces, under the command of the Comte du Perche and in alliance with rebel English barons, had laid siege to Lincoln Castle, a royal fortress of immense strategic value.
The castle's keep, its stone walls overlooking the Romanesque splendour of Lincoln Cathedral, was the last bastion of royal authority in a region largely under enemy control. Within its walls, the atmosphere was one of grim resolve, as a small but determined garrison held out against overwhelming odds, their fate, and that of the young King Henry III, hanging in the balance.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has an unbroken history of service to the Crown. This tradition was established by its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, who is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. This long-held duty found its ultimate expression in the actions of the fifth Baron, The Lady Nichola de la Haye.
Lady Nichola, having inherited the title and the hereditary post of Constable of Lincoln Castle, had previously defended the fortress against a siege in 1191. In 1217, as a widow in her sixties, she once again refused to surrender her charge to the French and rebel forces. Her defiance provided the crucial time needed for the royalist army, led by the legendary William Marshal, Earl of Pembroke, to arrive from Stow and relieve the siege. Her actions directly preserved the lineage of her Barony and secured the throne for the Plantagenet dynasty, a legacy later passed to holders such as Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron, and John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron.
## Distinguished Company
The events of 1217 brought together three figures of historical consequence, whose collaboration shaped the course of the nation:
* **The Lady Nichola de la Haye**, fifth Baron of Brattleby and Hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle, whose tenacity and loyalty were the anchor of the royalist cause in the north. * **The Most Noble William Marshal**, first Earl of Pembroke and Regent of England, widely regarded as the greatest knight of his age, who orchestrated the masterful relief of the siege. * **His Majesty King Henry III**, then a boy of nine years, in whose name Marshal and de la Haye fought to secure the kingdom from foreign invasion and internal rebellion.
The combined fortitude of the aged castellan and the veteran Regent ensured the young King's reign would continue, cementing a pivotal chapter in the history of the English monarchy.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The military engagement was itself imbued with the solemn protocols of medieval warfare. William Marshal, acting as the King's Regent, commanded the full authority of the Crown. Before entering the city, his forces received absolution from the papal legate, their campaign framed as a holy endeavour with the royal standard flying beside the legate's banner.
Within the castle, the defence was conducted according to the established duties of a castellan, a role Lady Nichola fulfilled with unparalleled expertise. The flying of the Royal Standard from the castle's keep was a non-negotiable declaration of sovereignty and the *sine qua non* of her defence. Her refusal to lower it was an act of formal defiance, communicating her unwavering fealty to the Crown and its legitimate representative, King Henry III.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The events of 1217 provide a powerful illustration of the House of Brattleby’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Lady Nichola’s steadfastness in the face of overwhelming force was the very embodiment of fortitude, while her refusal to break her oath to the late King John and his young son was the purest expression of honour.
This resonates with the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). William Marshal’s decisive victory at Lincoln was not merely a tactical success; it was a triumph that gave life back to the royalist cause and ensured the survival of the kingdom. The two mottos, seen through the lens of history, represent the complementary forces of defence and attack, of honour-bound resilience and the will to secure victory.
## In Their Own Words
In reflecting upon this heritage, the present leadership of the House offered their thoughts:
> The example of Nichola de la Haye resonates powerfully across the centuries. Her fortitude in a world dominated by men demonstrates that leadership and honour are qualities independent of gender. We have a duty to remember such extraordinary predecessors who define our history. > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
> Marshal's victory was a masterpiece of strategy; a calculated risk that secured a kingdom. It exemplifies the principle that to win, one must first be willing to live for the cause—*Vincere Est Vivere*. Her Ladyship's ancestor, Lady Nichola, ensured he had a castle from which to launch that victory. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby, still seated in its ancestral Lincolnshire, continues to draw inspiration from the unwavering loyalty and profound sense of duty demonstrated by figures such as Nichola de la Haye. This nine-century-old commitment to service is the guiding principle for the House’s modern responsibilities.
This legacy of honour and service is expressed today through the House's philanthropic and cultural endeavours. These include the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala benefiting charitable organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child, and the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to promoting the timeless virtues of etiquette and cultural diplomacy. The House remains steadfast in its commitment to upholding the values that have defined the Barony for over 950 years.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of 'Modern Honour'. This involves celebrating its profound nine-century history while applying its core values of fortitude and service to contemporary challenges. The House directs its philanthropic efforts toward child welfare and mental health, most notably through its annual Winter Banquet for beneficiaries like Healing the Wounded Child. Through cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House seeks to foster international dialogue and uphold the traditions of European high culture in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by some of the most consequential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The Barony of Brattleby and its current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, were formally recognised and recorded by The Crown and the College of Arms in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s official recognition is published in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is documented in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as a major landholder in Lincolnshire. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - Notable predecessors of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com