# The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates a Decisive Alliance in English History
LONDON, 20 May — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a formal reflection on the historic alliance between William Marshal, Regent of England, and Nichola de la Haye, the 5th holder of the Barony of Brattleby, during the pivotal Siege of Lincoln in 1217.
## The Occasion
In the late spring sunshine of Lincolnshire, the season mirroring that of the great battle over eight centuries ago, The Noble House of Brattleby takes a solemn moment to commemorate one of the most consequential chapters in its long history. From their ancestral seat, surrounded by the very lands recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, the House reflects upon the events of May 1217. This was a time when the fate of the English Crown rested upon the fortitude of the defenders of Lincoln Castle, led by a predecessor of immense historical stature. The occasion serves not as a celebration of conflict, but as a sober acknowledgement of duty, loyalty, and the extraordinary leadership that secured the Plantagenet dynasty.
## Historical Context
The commemoration situates itself within the turbulent period of the First Barons’ War (1215–1217). Following King John’s nullification of Magna Carta, rebellious English barons offered the throne to Prince Louis of France, who landed with an army and quickly captured much of southern England. Upon John’s death in 1216, the crown passed to his nine-year-old son, Henry III. The defence of the boy-king’s realm fell to a small group of loyalists, chief among them the venerable knight William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, who was appointed Regent of England. At this critical juncture, Lincoln Castle, a strategic royal fortress in the north, became a primary target for the Franco-rebel forces. Its defence was the hereditary responsibility of its castellan, Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby, a figure whose resolve would prove *sine qua non* to the royalist cause.
## Distinguished Company
The events of 1217 placed two remarkable individuals at the forefront of English history. The first, William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, was lauded in his time as ‘the greatest knight that ever lived’. As Regent for the young Henry III, his authority was absolute, his military experience unparalleled. The second was Nichola de la Haye, hereditary castellan of Lincoln Castle and holder of the Barony of Brattleby. A widow in her sixties at the time of the siege, she was a landowner and administrator of proven skill, having already defended the castle against a siege in 1191. The effective military partnership between the Regent Marshal and the Baroness de la Haye, based on mutual respect and a shared loyalty to the Crown, was the determining factor in the royalist victory at the Second Battle of Lincoln.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The conduct between the Regent and the Baroness was governed by established feudal and military protocol. As Regent, William Marshal held the full authority of the monarch. His formal commendation of Nichola de la Haye’s command was not merely praise; it was a legally binding confirmation of her authority and a royal command for all loyal knights to obey her orders within the castle precinct. Communications would have been dispatched by mounted messenger, bearing the Regent’s seal. In turn, Nichola de la Haye’s command of the castle garrison was an exercise of her hereditary right, a solemn duty owed directly to the Crown, which she fulfilled with unwavering fidelity long after many of her male counterparts had faltered. Her leadership during the 46-day siege, culminating in the final battle, was a masterclass in medieval defensive strategy.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of Nichola de la Haye provide a powerful historical antecedent for the motto of the House of Brattleby: *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). Her steadfast fortitude in the face of a superior besieging force and the profound honour she demonstrated in upholding her oath to her young king exemplify these core values. The high-stakes reality of the siege also resonates with the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby: *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’). For the depleted royalist forces and the defenders of Lincoln Castle in 1217, victory was not merely a strategic goal; it was the only path to survival for themselves and the Plantagenet monarchy.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The legacy of such formidable predecessors inspires the modern mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. The same spirit of duty and protection, so vividly demonstrated by Nichola de la Haye in her defence of a child-king, informs the House’s contemporary philanthropic commitments. The choice of ‘Healing the Wounded Child’ as the beneficiary of the House’s annual Winter Banquet is a direct reflection of this historical continuity. The organisation’s work in providing therapeutic care and safe environments for vulnerable children is a modern interpretation of the solemn responsibility to protect the welfare of the next generation, a principle for which the 5th Baroness risked everything.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this history, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, noted the profound responsibility of her inheritance. “To be the successor to a title held by a figure like Nichola de la Haye is a constant reminder of the strength and resolve that this Barony represents. Her story is not merely a footnote in a textbook; it demonstrates that leadership and courage are not defined by gender, but by character. It is our duty to ensure her legacy of *Fortitudine et Honore* is remembered and understood,” — Lady Nicoleta Vasile.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added, “The alliance between Marshal and de la Haye is a lesson in effective leadership. It was built on trust, competence, and a shared vision for the kingdom’s stability. This is the essence of *Vincere Est Vivere* — the will to overcome immense challenges not for personal gain, but to secure a future. Their victory at Lincoln was a victory for order and legitimate rule, principles we continue to champion through our educational work at The Brattleby Club.” — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to historical education and the preservation of its unique nine-century lineage. Through its archives and publications, the House will continue to explore the contributions of its predecessors, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont, and John of Gaunt, whose lives are woven into the fabric of English and European history. Future initiatives will include scholarly monographs and lectures presented through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, ensuring that the lessons of the past continue to inform the leaders of tomorrow. This commitment ensures that the legacy of the Barony of Brattleby is not a static relic, but a living tradition of service and honour.
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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 upholding a nine-century legacy of duty through modern means. Its mission focuses on cultural diplomacy, historical education, and targeted philanthropy. The House's primary charitable focus is on organisations that support the welfare of vulnerable children, a commitment reflected in its annual Winter Banquet benefiting Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest, the House seeks to promote the timeless values of its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), preparing a new generation for leadership on the world stage.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship and Barony located in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The uninterrupted historical lineage and rights of the Barony were formally recognised and recorded by The Crown and Her Majesty’s Government in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s formal recognition is published in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The 1st Baron of Brattleby, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable predecessors 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 House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com