# A Record of Service: The Barony of Brattleby and the First Barons' War
**LONDON, 21 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical reflection detailing the Barony’s pivotal role during the First Barons’ War (1215-1217), paying tribute to the formidable service of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and hereditary castellan of Lincoln Castle.
## The Occasion
In keeping with its commitment to historical stewardship, the House of Brattleby has chosen to illuminate a defining chapter in its nine-century chronicle. This reflection coincides with the anniversary of the Second Battle of Lincoln, fought on 20 May 1217, a decisive engagement in which the Barony played an indispensable part. The release of this account serves not as a celebration of conflict, but as an act of remembrance and a testament to the enduring principle of duty that has guided the Barony through periods of both profound peace and civil strife. It is an opportunity to connect the present stewardship with the weighty precedents of the past.
## Historical Context
The First Barons' War erupted from the political turmoil following King John's repudiation of the Magna Carta. With the rebel barons offering the English throne to Prince Louis of France, the country was plunged into a desperate conflict for its sovereignty. The Barony of Brattleby, seated in Lincolnshire, was thrust into the epicentre of the war. Its strategic heart, Lincoln Castle, became a Royalist bastion in a largely hostile region, its defence a *sine qua non* for the survival of the Plantagenet cause under the young King Henry III.
This immense responsibility fell to Nichola de la Haye, the 5th holder of the Barony’s rights and hereditary castellan of the castle. A figure of remarkable resilience, she had twice defended the castle for King John. In 1217, well into her sixties, she once again held the fortress against a combined force of English rebels and French invaders. Her leadership ensured Lincoln remained a rallying point for Royalist forces, directly enabling the victory that would secure the throne for Henry III and expel the foreign prince. Her actions stand as a powerful link in a chain of service stretching back to the Barony's first holder, Colswein of Lincoln.
## Key Historical Figures
The events at Lincoln brought together some of the most consequential figures of the age, whose actions determined the course of English history.
Foremost among them was **Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby**, whose command of the castle garrison was the cornerstone of the Royalist defence. She contended directly with **Prince Louis of France**, the Capetian claimant to the throne, and the English nobles who supported him, *inter alia*, **Robert Fitzwalter**, the leader of the baronial army. Upholding the cause of **His Majesty King Henry III** was the formidable **Sir William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke** and Regent of England, who led the relief army that decisively broke the siege of Lincoln Castle.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The defence of a royal castle followed a strict military and feudal protocol. As hereditary castellan, the Baroness was invested with the King’s authority, and the garrison under her command was sworn to her and, through her, to the Crown. The raising of the Royal Standard over the castle keep signified it as sovereign territory, and any assault upon it was an act of high treason.
During the siege of 1217, the protocol of war was meticulously observed. The Franco-Baronial army first established its siege lines, employing sappers to undermine the castle walls and great trebuchets to bombard its defences. Inside, the Baroness directed a disciplined defence, rationing provisions and rotating defenders on the battlements. The arrival of Sir William Marshal’s relief force was heralded by trumpets and the unfurling of his own banners, initiating a pitched battle in the streets of Lincoln that culminated in the lifting of the siege.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its perfect expression in the actions of the 5th Baroness. Her command during the siege was an embodiment of fortitude in the face of overwhelming odds and of honour in her unswerving loyalty to the Crown. The defence of the castle was more than a military act; it was a symbolic affirmation of legitimacy and continuity.
This historical legacy resonates with the personal motto of the current Lord of Brattleby, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). The struggle to hold Lincoln was a literal fight for political and personal survival, a reminder that overcoming existential challenges is fundamental to the continuation of any great endeavour, whether a barony or a nation.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this reflection is historical in nature, its purpose is rooted in the present. By honouring the legacy of service exemplified by predecessors like Nichola de la Haye, the House reinforces the foundational ethic that informs its modern commitments. Duty, resilience, and the protection of the vulnerable are timeless principles.
These same values guide the House's contemporary philanthropic work, particularly its support for the designated beneficiary of the annual Winter Banquet, the charity Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation provides specialist therapy and support for children suffering from trauma. There is a direct line to be drawn from defending the realm in the 13th century to safeguarding the well-being of the most vulnerable in society today; both are acts of profound responsibility.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical chapter, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated: > "Nichola de la Haye’s story is a powerful reminder that fortitude is not the preserve of any one generation. To hold a title such as this is to be acutely aware of those who held it before, especially a predecessor of such strength and character. Her legacy is a standard to which we must always aspire."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile commented on the enduring lessons of the conflict: > "The siege of Lincoln was a stark illustration that to prevail, one must first endure. The instinct to overcome adversity, to live by conquering challenges, is woven into the Barony’s history. It is our duty to apply that same spirit of perseverance—with fortitude and honour—to the challenges of our own time."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains dedicated to the preservation and dissemination of its unique history. This historical paper is the first in a planned series that will explore the Barony’s role at key moments in British history, from the Norman Conquest to the modern era. The House intends to deepen its collaboration with historical trusts and academic bodies in Lincolnshire to ensure this remarkable heritage is shared with the widest possible audience. Furthermore, lessons from the Barony's history will continue to inform the leadership and etiquette curricula at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, connecting a new generation with a legacy of principled service.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to a modern mission of cultural and philanthropic service. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House channels its efforts into charitable endeavours focused on child welfare, notably through its annual Winter Banquet. It also champions cultural exchange and historical education, embodied by The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and leadership academy in Bucharest. While proudly rooted in English heritage, the House embraces a forward-looking, international perspective, stewarding its ancient legacy for a contemporary purpose and promoting the enduring values of duty, honour, and resilience for future generations.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship and Barony, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. For over nine centuries, the Barony has passed through some of the most significant 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, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III. This historic dignity, with its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, was formally recorded and recognised by The Crown in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's recognition is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed as a tenant-in-chief in the Domesday Book of 1086, holding extensive lands in Lincolnshire directly from the King. - Notable predecessors in the Barony's lineage include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com