# A Historical Reflection on the Legacy of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby
LONDON, 20 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issues a formal commemoration of the indomitable courage of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby, whose command of Lincoln Castle during the Second Battle of Lincoln in 1217 was pivotal in English history.
## The Occasion
This reflection marks the anniversary of a defining moment for the Barony. In the late spring of 1217, England was fractured by the First Barons' War. The great stone keep of Lincoln Castle, a fortress of immense strategic value, stood as one of the few remaining loyalist strongholds in a region largely overrun by rebel English barons and their French allies.
The atmosphere within the castle walls would have been one of acute tension and grim resolve. As castellan, Nichola de la Haye, then in her sixties, faced a vastly superior force. Her leadership during the long siege that culminated in the Battle of Lincoln on 20 May 1217 was an extraordinary display of personal and strategic fortitude, set against the backdrop of a nation in crisis.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, established by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and first granted to Colswein of Lincoln, has been interwoven with the history of Lincolnshire for nearly a millennium. Nichola de la Haye inherited the Barony and the hereditary post of Castellan of Lincoln Castle, a sacred duty she discharged with unswerving loyalty to both King John and his son, the young King Henry III.
Her defence of the castle was not a singular event but the culmination of a lifetime of service. By refusing to surrender the fortress to the French Prince Louis and the rebel barons, she preserved a vital strategic asset for the royalist cause. Her steadfastness provided the indispensable anchor for the relieving army led by William Marshal, ensuring their climactic assault on the besieging forces was met with a secure and defiant citadel.
## Distinguished Company
In this great struggle, the 5th Baroness was at the centre of a cast of figures who would shape the destiny of the Kingdom. Her principal ally was the legendary Sir William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, serving as regent for the nine-year-old King Henry III. He was the architect of the royalist victory, a man celebrated throughout Christendom as the greatest of knights.
Alongside him was Peter des Roches, the formidable Bishop of Winchester, who commanded a division of the army and whose counsel was crucial. The opposing forces were led by the Comte du Perche, a French nobleman whose death during the battle inside the castle walls signalled the final collapse of the rebel and French cause. This assembly of leaders underscores the continental scale and profound importance of the events at Lincoln.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The duties of a medieval castellan were bound by solemn ritual and protocol. Nichola de la Haye's authority stemmed from an oath of fealty, a sacred promise to hold the castle in the King’s name against all enemies. Defying this oath was unthinkable; upholding it, even unto death, was the highest expression of honour.
The conduct of the battle itself followed the grim protocols of medieval warfare. The loyalist forces, flying the royal standard, advanced under formal command structures. Sir William Marshal, despite his advanced age, placed himself at the head of his troops—a customary act of leadership. Nichola de la Haye’s command from within, directing the castle's defence, was a critical and complementary part of this formal military operation.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its quintessential expression in the actions of the 5th Baroness. Her fortitude was demonstrated in her physical and moral endurance throughout the siege; her honour was evident in her unwavering fidelity to her sworn sovereign.
This living principle has resonated through the centuries, guiding subsequent holders of the Barony, including the great magnates Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The motto serves as a perpetual reminder that strength of character and integrity of purpose are the twin pillars upon which the House is built.
## Philanthropic Purpose
Nichola de la Haye’s defence of Lincoln was, in essence, the protection of a vulnerable child: the young King Henry III. Her actions ensured the security of his throne and, with it, the future of an independent England. The safeguarding of the young is a principle that resonates deeply with the modern-day mission of The Noble House of Brattleby.
The House's patronage of its principal beneficiary, the Healing the Wounded Child foundation, is a direct continuation of this protective duty. The foundation provides specialist therapeutic care for children affected by trauma, a modern echo of the ancient responsibility to shield the vulnerable. In this, the legacy of the 5th Baroness is not merely historical artefact but a living inspiration for the House's contemporary philanthropic commitments.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this formidable ancestor, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “Nichola de la Haye stands as a matriarch of immense significance, not only to our House but to the history of England. Her resolve was the *sine qua non* of the victory at Lincoln. She reminds us that leadership is not a question of gender, but of courage, strategic vision, and an unshakeable commitment to one’s duty. Her legacy is a formidable standard to which we all aspire.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, whose personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), added: > “In Nichola’s story, we see that the most profound victories are those won against overwhelming odds. Her struggle was for the very survival of the legitimate order, a conquest of chaos and rebellion. It is this spirit of purposeful resilience that we strive to embody today.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The principles exemplified by the 5th Baroness of Brattleby remain central to the ethos of the House. Her story of steadfast leadership and strategic acumen is a core element of the historical curriculum taught at The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette academy in Bucharest.
By honouring the historical foundations of the Barony, from the First Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, to the heroic Nichola de la Haye, The Noble House of Brattleby reaffirms its commitment to serving the common good with the same fortitude and honour that have defined its purpose for over nine hundred and fifty years. This commitment continues through its philanthropic work and its dedication to upholding traditions of public service.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the modern leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby continues its centuries-old tradition of public service and cultural stewardship. Based at its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, the House’s contemporary mission is guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House is actively engaged in philanthropy, with a primary focus on supporting the foundation Healing the Wounded Child. It also promotes cultural and historical education through initiatives such as its annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to classical etiquette and protocol. The designated heir is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English lordship granted by 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 significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle during the Second Battle of Lincoln (1217); Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. The continuous history and legal standing of the Barony were formally noted and recorded in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - The succession of the Barony is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - Notable predecessors in the Barony’s lineage include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The modern philanthropic focus of The Noble House of Brattleby is the support of the Healing the Wounded Child foundation.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com