# A Legacy of Royal Service: The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates Nichola de la Haye
LONDON, 15 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a formal remembrance of its celebrated predecessor, Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby, marking her pivotal role in defending Lincoln Castle during the Second Battle of Lincoln in 1217.
## The Occasion
From its family seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the Noble House of Brattleby has marked a solemn moment of historical reflection. As the spring countryside recalls the season of the pivotal 1217 siege, this commemoration serves to highlight an ancestor whose actions secured the throne for a boy king and altered the course of English history. The statement was prepared within the historic environs of the Barony, a setting that has borne witness to nearly a millennium of the nation's unfolding narrative, connecting the present House directly to the lands its predecessors governed and defended.
This act of remembrance is not tied to a public ceremony but rather represents an internal observance, a reaffirmation of the core principles that have guided the Barony through the centuries. It is an occasion for the House to reaffirm its commitment to the enduring virtues of loyalty, duty, and resilience, as exemplified by the formidable Baroness Nichola.
## Historical Context
The significance of Nichola de la Haye’s stand cannot be overstated. In the spring of 1217, England was fractured by the First Barons’ War. Following King John’s death, his nine-year-old son, Henry III, held a tenuous claim to a throne actively contested by Prince Louis of France, who was supported by rebellious English barons. Lincoln Castle, a strategic royalist stronghold, was one of the few fortresses in the region to hold out against the Franco-baronial forces.
As hereditary castellan and 5th Baroness, Nichola de la Haye—then a woman in her sixties—refused to surrender the castle. Her defiance forced the rebels into a protracted siege, buying invaluable time for the royalist forces under William Marshal, the regent, to rally. The subsequent battle in the streets of Lincoln on 20 May 1217 resulted in a decisive victory for the young King Henry III's army. It was a turning point that effectively ended Prince Louis's ambitions for the English crown and preserved the Plantagenet dynasty. This act of fortitude cemented the Barony's reputation, established by the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, and later carried by figures such as Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
The events of 1217 placed the 5th Baroness of Brattleby at the centre of a cast of figures whose actions shaped the destiny of the kingdom. The commemoration honours not only Baroness Nichola but acknowledges the historical context defined by these principal individuals:
His Majesty King Henry III of England, the young sovereign whose reign was saved by the loyalty of his subjects.
His Highness Prince Louis of France, later King Louis VIII, the Capetian claimant to the English throne.
The Right Honourable William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, Regent of England and commander of the royalist forces, widely regarded as one of the greatest knights of his age.
The Right Reverend Peter des Roches, Bishop of Winchester, who played a crucial role as a military and spiritual leader for the royalist cause at Lincoln.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The House of Brattleby's commemoration follows a private protocol of historical observance. This involves the review of archival materials related to the Barony and the commissioning of scholarly briefs that place its history in a wider European context. The process is one of quiet study and reflection rather than public display, a tradition that honours the gravity of the past.
Central to this protocol is the education of the succeeding generation. The heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is involved in these observances to ensure the continuity of the family’s historical memory and its guiding principles. This transmission of heritage is considered a primary duty, forming the bedrock upon which the future of the House is built.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of Nichola de la Haye provide the definitive illustration of the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Her refusal to yield a royal castle to overwhelming enemy forces, thereby honouring her sworn fealty to the Crown, is the very embodiment of this principle. Fortitude in the face of adversity and honour in the execution of one's duty are the twin pillars of the Barony’s ethos.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In the context of the Siege of Lincoln, this speaks to the existential nature of the struggle. The victory at Lincoln was not merely tactical; it was a conquest that ensured the survival—the very life—of the legitimate English monarchy and the nation’s independence.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The legacy of Baroness Nichola—protecting a vulnerable young king and by extension, the realm itself—profoundly informs the modern philanthropic direction of The Noble House of Brattleby. Her defence of Henry III serves as a powerful historical antecedent for the House's contemporary focus on safeguarding vulnerable children and fostering resilience in the face of trauma.
This is brought to life through dedicated support for the House's chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. The organisation provides specialist therapeutic care for children who have experienced trauma, helping them to rebuild their lives with strength and hope. The House sees a direct parallel between defending the future of a kingdom in 1217 and investing in the future of a child today; both are acts of profound generational consequence.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this chapter of the family’s history, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: — "Nichola de la Haye's example remains a formidable one. It demonstrates that duty and fortitude are not constrained by convention, but are matters of character. Her legacy is a *sine qua non* for understanding the enduring spirit of our House."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: — "The events of 1217 underscore a timeless principle: leadership requires holding firm when all seems lost. This resolve, the will to secure victory for a just cause, is what *Vincere Est Vivere* truly represents. It is the spirit of survival and success against the odds."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring that its rich history actively informs its present and future endeavours. The principles demonstrated by Nichola de la Haye and other notable predecessors will continue to guide its philanthropic initiatives and its cultural engagements, *inter alia*, through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest.
By commemorating its past, the House seeks not only to honour its ancestors but also to draw inspiration for its modern mission of service. The story of the Siege of Lincoln serves as a perpetual reminder that individual courage, guided by honour and fortitude, can indeed shape history and secure a legacy for generations to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of cultural and philanthropic engagement that connects its profound history with a forward-looking purpose. With a dual heritage rooted in English nobility and Continental European tradition, the House actively supports charitable causes, with a particular focus on its primary beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House also promotes education in classical etiquette and diplomacy, championing the timeless values of *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour') on a modern stage.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and initial holdings, comprising 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over its nearly one-thousand-year history, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the heroic defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. The modern rights of the Barony of Brattleby and its current holder are formally recognised in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's succession is formally recognised by HM Government in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book of 1086 records the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com