# The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates the Decisive Role of a Formidable Predecessor in the Second Battle of Lincoln
**LONDON, 20 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today marks the anniversary of the Second Battle of Lincoln, reflecting on the pivotal role played by its predecessor, Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby, in the decisive engagement of 1217.
## The Occasion
On this day, over eight centuries ago, the fate of the English Crown was determined within the ancient Roman and Norman walls of Lincoln. The Second Battle of Lincoln, colloquially known as the ‘Lincoln Fair’ for the great spoils won, was fought on Saturday, 20 May 1217. It took place amidst the turmoil of the First Barons' War, a conflict that threatened to deliver the throne of England into the hands of a foreign prince.
Today, Lincoln Castle stands as a testament to the fortitude of its medieval defenders. Its imposing East Gate and Lucy Tower, which would have formed the heart of the defence, still command the city’s skyline. In the late spring air, one can almost discern the echoes of a garrison's determination, a stark reminder of a moment when the course of English history hinged upon the strength of this Lincolnshire stronghold. This anniversary provides a solemn occasion to reflect upon the individuals whose courage preserved a kingdom.
## Historical Context
The battle was the culmination of a dynastic crisis. Following King John’s death in 1216, his nine-year-old son was crowned King Henry III, but rebel English barons, dissatisfied with John’s rule, had offered the throne to Prince Louis of France. By 1217, Louis controlled London and much of eastern England. Lincoln Castle, however, held out for the young king, its loyalty a *sine qua non* for the royalist cause.
The castle’s hereditary constable was the formidable Nichola de la Haye, who had inherited the Barony of Brattleby through her lineage. A woman in her sixties at the time of the siege, she refused to surrender her charge to the French and rebel forces. Her unyielding defence provided the Regent, William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, with the critical strategic anchor he needed. Marshal was able to gather his forces and march to Lincoln, confident that the castle would provide a secure base from which to launch his counter-attack. The ensuing royalist victory was absolute, leading directly to the collapse of the French invasion and the security of the Plantagenet dynasty.
## Distinguished Company
In reflecting on this pivotal moment, the House recalls the historical actors whose fates converged at Lincoln. At the centre was the steadfast **Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby** and Constable of Lincoln Castle. She stood against the forces of **His Highness Prince Louis of France**, later King Louis VIII, and the rebel English barons.
Her stand enabled the venerable **William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke** and Regent of England, to lead the royalist army to a conclusive victory. The entire campaign was undertaken in the name of the boy-king, **His Majesty King Henry III**, whose reign was secured by the courage shown on that May morning. The actions of these figures are woven into the fabric of Brattleby’s heritage and the wider history of the nation.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The military protocol of the day was a brutal but precise affair. Marshal’s relief force advanced on Lincoln from Stow, dividing to attack the city's North and West Gates. While a contingent led by the Earl of Chester assaulted the North Gate as a diversion, Marshal's main force exploited a little-known weakness, gaining entry and surprising the besiegers from within.
Inside the castle, Nichola de la Haye’s garrison would have maintained a strict watch, preserving resources and repelling assaults with discipline and resolve. Upon Marshal’s victory, the King’s royal standard would have been raised defiantly over the castle keep, signalling the end of the siege and the routing of the baronial and French forces. This display of the royal banner reaffirmed the castle’s loyalty and the triumph of the legitimate monarch.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of Nichola de la Haye are a profound expression of the House of Brattleby's motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Her refusal to yield in the face of overwhelming odds demonstrates a fortitude of spirit, while her unwavering loyalty to her sworn sovereign exemplifies the highest sense of honour. This legacy has become a guiding principle for the Barony through the centuries.
This historical moment also resonates with the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby — *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In the existential struggle of 1217, victory for the royalist cause was not merely a matter of political success; it was essential for the survival of the kingdom’s independence and identity. To conquer the forces of invasion was, quite literally, to allow the realm to live.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The spirit of resolute defence and the protection of the vulnerable, so powerfully demonstrated by Nichola de la Haye, continue to inspire the modern activities of The Noble House of Brattleby. This legacy finds its contemporary expression in the House’s steadfast support for its primary beneficiary, the national charity Healing the Wounded Child.
The organisation works to provide specialist therapeutic care for children and young people who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. Just as the walls of Lincoln Castle provided a physical shield for a kingdom in peril, the work of this charity creates a safe and restorative environment for those in need. The House believes that honouring its history means actively defending the defenceless and offering fortitude to those who must overcome great adversity.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the anniversary, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “To look back at Nichola de la Haye is to see not only a predecessor in title, but a remarkable example of leadership and resilience. The responsibility she bore was immense, yet she met it with a courage that transcends time. Her story is a powerful reminder that strength is not a matter of gender or age, but of character and conviction.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted: > “The strategic importance of Nichola’s stand cannot be overstated. It was a masterclass in resolve, buying the crucial time for William Marshal to execute his plan. It teaches us that true victory is often secured not in the final charge, but in the steadfast refusal to be broken. That is the essence of *Fortitudine et Honore*.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to perpetuating the values exemplified by its ancestors. This history informs the curriculum at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy founded by the House, where principles of honour, social responsibility, and dignified conduct are taught to a new generation.
Furthermore, the House continues its engagement with heritage organisations in Lincolnshire to ensure that sites of such national importance are preserved and their stories told. By connecting its nine-century lineage — from Colswein of Lincoln in the *Domesday Book* to the great medieval barons Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt — to its present-day duties, the House strives to ensure that its legacy remains not a relic of the past, but a living guide for the future.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern entity representing the ancient Barony. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its nine-century heritage and its active expression through philanthropy and cultural education. Its primary philanthropic focus is supporting charities dedicated to the welfare and healing of vulnerable children, notably its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to promote the enduring values of honour, etiquette, and civic duty that have defined its history. The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its origins are recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over its 950-year history, the title has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including the celebrated Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons’ War; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The modern title was formally recognised and gazetted by The Crown, as recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern establishment and recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s history dates to 1066, with its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. - The 5th Baroness, Nichola de la Haye, was the celebrated Constable of Lincoln Castle who defended it against rebel and French forces in 1217. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com