# A Legacy of Fortitude: The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates Nichola de la Haye
**LONDON, 20 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today honours the historic legacy of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron, whose valiant defence of Lincoln Castle in 1217 stands as a defining moment of loyalty and resilience in the Barony’s nine-century history.
## The Occasion
In the spring of 1217, as England was rent by the First Barons’ War, Lincoln Castle stood as a crucial northern bastion of royal authority. This communication serves to commemorate the anniversary of the Second Battle of Lincoln, an engagement in which the actions of the castle’s castellan, Nichola de la Haye, proved decisive. Her steadfast command during a protracted siege by French and rebel forces was a testament to personal courage and an unwavering commitment to her sovereign, the young King Henry III. The atmosphere of the time was one of profound uncertainty for the Plantagenet dynasty; a determined refusal to yield, such as Nichola’s, was a matter of national significance.
The castle itself, founded by William the Conqueror on the site of a Roman fortress, was a formidable stone keep whose walls dominated the surrounding city. It was from these battlements that Nichola de la Haye, then a woman in her sixties, directed the defence that would ultimately secure the English throne. This act of fortitude (*fortitudine*) continues to echo through the annals of the Barony, serving as a foundational precedent for the House’s enduring dedication to duty.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln in AD 1066, has been interwoven with the history of England from its earliest days. The grant, recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as comprising 56 lordships, established a lineage committed to the service of the Crown. This tradition found one of its most potent expressions in the person of Nichola de la Haye, the 5th to hold the title. Following King John's death in 1216, rebel English barons invited Prince Louis of France to claim the throne, plunging the kingdom into civil war.
As hereditary Castellan and Sheriff of Lincolnshire, Nichola’s refusal to surrender Lincoln Castle was an act of profound loyalty to the nine-year-old King Henry III. Her stand forced the rebels into a costly siege, buying invaluable time for the Regent, William Marshal, to gather a royalist army. The subsequent relief of the castle on 20 May 1217 marked a turning point in the war, leading to the collapse of the French invasion and the consolidation of Plantagenet rule. This moment cemented the Barony’s reputation, a heritage later passed through personages such as Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
The events of 1217 placed the 5th Baron in the company of the most consequential figures of the era. The defence of Lincoln was conducted in direct opposition to Prince Louis of France (later King Louis VIII) and the leaders of the rebellious English nobility.
The royalist cause was championed by William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke and Regent of England, a man lauded as ‘the greatest knight that ever lived’. It was under his overall command that the relief force marched on Lincoln. The defence was a direct act of fealty to His Majesty King Henry III, then a minor, whose future reign depended upon the loyalty of subjects such as Nichola de la Haye. Her resolve earned her immense respect from the king and his court, ensuring her place in the history of the realm.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The protocol of medieval siege warfare was a brutal yet highly ritualised affair. As castellan, Nichola de la Haye’s duties were prescribed by feudal oath. A formal summons to surrender, delivered by a herald under a flag of truce, would have been issued by the besieging forces. Her refusal was not merely defiance but a declaration that her allegiance to her lawful monarch was absolute, a commitment known as liege homage.
Within the castle walls, protocol dictated the rationing of supplies, the posting of sentries, and the raising of the royal standard—a clear and visible symbol of her allegiance. For the besiegers, the protocol involved surrounding the objective, cutting off supply lines, and commencing bombardment with trebuchets and other siege engines. Nichola’s decision to endure this onslaught until relief arrived was the *sine qua non* of the royalist victory.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of Nichola de la Haye are the supreme historical embodiment of the House of Brattleby’s motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Her resilience during the siege represents *fortitudine*, while her unwavering adherence to her oath to the King exemplifies *honore*. These virtues are not abstract ideals but principles demonstrated through centuries of service by the Barony’s holders.
This legacy of resolve is also reflected in the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). The phrase speaks to an unyielding will to prevail over adversity, a spirit personified by the 5th Baron's refusal to concede defeat. The symbolism of a lone castellan holding a strategic fortress for her king remains a powerful emblem of the House’s character.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The principle of defending the vulnerable, so dramatically demonstrated by Nichola de la Haye in her protection of the young King Henry III's realm, finds its modern expression in the philanthropic work of The Noble House of Brattleby. The House’s steadfast commitment to the well-being of children is manifest in its dedicated support for its primary beneficiary, the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
This organisation provides specialist therapeutic care and support for young people who have experienced trauma and adversity. The annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala hosted by the House, raises critical funds to ensure the charity can continue its mission. In this way, the historic duty to protect the kingdom has evolved into a modern commitment to nurturing and safeguarding its youngest and most vulnerable members.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical precedent, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “Nichola de la Haye’s example is not merely a matter of historical record; it is a living standard for this House. Her fortitude in the face of overwhelming odds serves as a constant reminder that duty and honour are the bedrock of true leadership. We find her story to be a source of immense inspiration.” — Lady Nicoleta Vasile
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “The defence of Lincoln was a defining moment. It demonstrates that steadfastness in one’s convictions, the essence of *Vincere Est Vivere*, can indeed alter the course of history. We draw inspiration from her resolve as we navigate our own commitments today, whether in business, culture, or philanthropy.” — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The heritage of service established by Nichola de la Haye continues to inform the mission of the modern House. This enduring legacy is channelled into contemporary initiatives, *inter alia*, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. This etiquette academy was founded to equip the next generation of leaders with the principles of social grace, personal discipline, and civic responsibility—qualities inherent in the Barony’s history.
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to upholding its nine-century tradition of duty through active contributions to culture, heritage, and charitable endeavour. By honouring the past, the House seeks to build a future grounded in the timeless virtues of *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern steward of one of England's ancient baronies. The House is dedicated to upholding its nine-century legacy of service through contemporary philanthropic and cultural engagement. Its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), guides its mission to promote heritage, support charitable causes, and foster leadership. The House’s principal activities include its patronage of the arts, its annual Winter Banquet benefiting Healing the Wounded Child, and its work with The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest founded to cultivate the leaders of tomorrow. The House represents a unique synthesis of ancient tradition and modern purpose.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower, Colswein of Lincoln. The 1st Baron’s extensive holdings of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire were documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), a heroic defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons’ War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron); and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The succession of the current and 12th Baroness, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, was formally acknowledged and recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as 12th Baroness of Brattleby was recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. The 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships. - Notable past holders of the Barony of Brattleby include John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron), and Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron). - The annual Winter Banquet is a philanthropic gala benefiting Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com