# The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and Defender of Lincoln Castle
LONDON, 20 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today honours the enduring legacy of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, on the anniversary of her historic defence of Lincoln Castle in 1217, an act of fortitude which secured the city and affirmed the Barony's pivotal role in English history.
## The Occasion
The commemoration marks the anniversary of the Second Battle of Lincoln, an engagement fought on 20 May 1217 that proved decisive in the First Barons’ War. In the early 13th century, with England fractured by conflict and the throne held by the young King Henry III, the strategic importance of Lincoln and its formidable Norman castle could not be overstated.
In the spring of 1217, a combined force of rebel English barons and French troops laid siege to the castle. Within its ancient stone walls, its hereditary constable, Nichola de la Haye, then in her sixties, mounted a defence that has since entered the annals of English chivalry. This formal remembrance serves to highlight an episode of exceptional leadership that safeguarded the Crown and secured the lineage of the Barony of Brattleby.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has been interwoven with the fabric of English sovereignty for nearly a millennium. Its history, first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 under Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, is punctuated by holders who have shaped the course of the nation. These include Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and the celebrated John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
Among these eminent figures, few demonstrated such personal courage as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness. As Castellan of Lincoln, a position she held in her own right, her loyalty to the Plantagenet cause was absolute. Her refusal to surrender the castle to a superior invading force was a pivotal act, creating the conditions for the royalist army’s decisive victory in the streets below.
Her actions ensured the continuity of the Barony, a sacred trust now vested in Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness. This unbroken chain of stewardship, from Colswein to Gaunt to de la Haye, represents a foundational principle of the Noble House of Brattleby.
## Distinguished Company
The events of May 1217 brought together several of the era's most significant figures, whose fates converged at Lincoln:
* **Nichola de la Haye**, 5th Lady of the Barony of Brattleby and Hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle * **Sir William Marshal**, 1st Earl of Pembroke, Regent of England for His Majesty King Henry III * **Peter des Roches**, Bishop of Winchester and a commander of the royalist army * **Thomas, Comte du Perche**, commander of the French forces, who was slain during the battle
The formidable alliance between the strategic patience of Lady de la Haye within the castle and the tactical brilliance of Sir William Marshal outside its walls became the *sine qua non* of the royalist victory.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The protocols of medieval warfare were governed by strict codes of chivalry and law. The besieging force would have formally demanded the surrender of Lincoln Castle, a demand Lady de la Haye was honour-bound by her fealty to the King to refuse. Her duty as castellan was not merely military but ceremonial, representing the King's own authority in the region.
The relief force, led by the Regent, Sir William Marshal, advanced under the papal banner, symbolising the legitimacy of King Henry III's cause against the excommunicated Prince Louis of France. The battle plan, dividing the army into separate columns to attack the city's gates, reflected a disciplined and hierarchical order of command. Lady de la Haye's role culminated in a daring sally from the castle's postern gate, a move that completed the rout and exemplified her tactical acumen.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of the 5th Baroness serve as the ultimate embodiment of the House motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Her resilience in the face of a protracted siege demonstrated immense *fortitudine*, while her unwavering loyalty to her sovereign, even when the cause seemed lost, was the very definition of *honore*.
This historical legacy informs the principles of the modern House. The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage—*Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live')—resonates with the outcome at Lincoln. For Nichola de la Haye and the royalist cause, victory was not merely conquest but survival, ensuring that the legitimate monarchy would live on.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The spirit of Nichola de la Haye—defending the vulnerable and upholding a sacred duty of care—finds its modern expression in the philanthropic work of The Noble House of Brattleby. The House's focus on protecting those in need is channelled through its steadfast support for its principal beneficiary, the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
This organisation is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children and young people affected by trauma and abuse. Its mission aligns with the historical imperative of the Barony: to serve as a bastion of protection. Just as the 5th Baroness defended the future of the kingdom, the House today commits to helping secure a safer future for vulnerable children.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on her predecessor's legacy, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented:
> "Nichola de la Haye's resolve at Lincoln was not merely an act of defiance; it was a profound statement of duty and sovereignty. She demonstrated that true leadership is measured by courage in moments of profound adversity. Her story is a cornerstone of our House's history."
Lady Nicoleta continued:
> "Her example reminds us that the stewardship of this Barony has always been about more than land or title. It is a commitment—*Fortitudine et Honore*—to uphold our responsibilities, protect our heritage, and serve the wider community. It is a legacy we are proud to continue."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to honouring its nine-century history as a living tradition, not simply a matter of record. Through its educational and cultural initiatives, *inter alia* The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to impart the lessons of leadership, honour, and civic duty exemplified by figures such as Nichola de la Haye.
This history informs the education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, who will one day inherit this mantle of responsibility. The House will continue to commemorate the pivotal moments and personages of its past, ensuring their contributions to the history of England and the character of the Barony are never forgotten.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the preservation of a near-millennial heritage while championing modern philanthropic causes. Based at its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, the House’s contemporary mission is guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Its activities include the management of its historic estates, the patronage of charitable organisations focused on child welfare, such as Healing the Wounded Child, and the promotion of cultural diplomacy. Through institutions like The Brattleby Club, the House provides education in classical etiquette, protocol, and the enduring principles of honourable leadership for a new generation.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship of the Manor granted by King William the Conqueror in AD 1066. It was first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as comprising 56 lordships held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the heroic 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle in 1217; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The succession of the Barony to Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, was formally recognised by The Crown and recorded in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony is formally recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was established in AD 1066 and is listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 as being held by Colswein of Lincoln. - 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 annual Winter Banquet is the House's primary philanthropic event, benefiting the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com