# The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates a Decisive Alliance at the Battle of Lincoln (1217)
LONDON, 17 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a formal communication reflecting on the pivotal alliance between Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby, and William Marshal, Regent of England, during the decisive Battle of Lincoln in 1217.
## The Occasion
In the late spring of 1217, the fate of the English Crown hung precariously in the balance. The occasion for remembrance is the Second Battle of Lincoln, fought on 20 May of that year, a conflict that would ultimately secure the throne for the young King Henry III and expel the invading French forces.
The strategic epicentre of this campaign was Lincoln Castle, a formidable Norman motte-and-bailey fortress first constructed by William the Conqueror in 1068. Its commanding position atop the steep escarpment of Lincoln Edge made it the key to controlling the north of England. By May 1217, the castle, held steadfastly by its hereditary castellan, was an island of royalist defiance in a city largely occupied by French and rebel English forces. The atmosphere within its walls would have been one of tense expectation, a prelude to one of the most consequential battles fought on English soil.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in 1066 and recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as part of the 56 lordships held by Colswein of Lincoln, has been interwoven with the history of the realm for nearly a millennium. During the turmoil of the First Barons' War, this ancient lineage was represented by a figure of extraordinary resilience: Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness.
Following the death of King John, the regency for his nine-year-old son, Henry III, was entrusted to the venerable William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke, widely regarded as the greatest knight of his age. Lady Nichola, a staunch loyalist, held Lincoln Castle in the King's name. Her refusal to surrender the fortress to the besieging army of the French Dauphin, Louis, was the *sine qua non* of the royalist counter-attack. It provided Marshal with a critical strategic objective: to relieve the castle and defeat the enemy in a single, decisive engagement.
## Distinguished Company
The events of 1217 brought together a cast of figures whose actions would shape the future of the Kingdom. The principal individuals involved in this historic drama included:
* **William Marshal, 1st Earl of Pembroke**, Regent of England, who at the age of 70 led the royalist army with remarkable vigour and tactical brilliance. * **Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby**, Hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle and, at times, Sheriff of Lincolnshire, whose unwavering defence of her charge was the campaign's lynchpin. * **His Majesty King Henry III**, the nine-year-old sovereign in whose name the battle was fought and the kingdom preserved. * **His Highness Louis, Dauphin of France**, later His Majesty King Louis VIII, whose ambition to seize the English throne was comprehensively thwarted at Lincoln. * **Peter des Roches, Bishop of Winchester**, who accompanied Marshal and lent the campaign the moral authority of the Church.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The conduct of the campaign was governed by the interwoven protocols of medieval lordship and warfare. The foundation of the alliance was the solemn oath of fealty sworn by Lady Nichola to her sovereign, a duty she upheld with extraordinary courage. Her refusal to yield the keys to Lincoln Castle was not an act of defiance, but the ultimate expression of this sworn loyalty.
On the morning of the battle, William Marshal’s army was given absolution by the Papal Legate, with the soldiers wearing white crosses, ceremonially elevating the campaign to the status of a crusade. The raising of the Royal Standard over the royalist host signalled the formal commencement of hostilities. Marshal's decision to lead the charge himself, despite his advanced age, was a powerful observance of the chivalric code, demonstrating a leader's duty to share the peril of his men. The victory was known colloquially as the 'Lincoln Fair' for the great quantity of loot taken from the defeated rebels.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The events of 1217 resonate profoundly with the heraldic identity of the House of Brattleby. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds its perfect embodiment in the actions of the 5th Baroness. Lady Nichola demonstrated immense physical and moral fortitude in withstanding the siege, while her unwavering loyalty to the Crown was the very definition of honour.
This historical event also finds an echo in the personal motto of the Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). The victory at Lincoln was not merely a tactical success; it was essential for the survival of the Plantagenet dynasty and the independent sovereignty of England. To conquer was, quite literally, to live and to ensure the nation's future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this commemoration is historical, the principles it represents—duty, resilience, and the protection of the vulnerable—are the guiding tenets of the House of Brattleby’s modern philanthropic endeavours. The steadfast defence of Lincoln Castle for its rightful, young king is a powerful historical analogue for the House's contemporary focus on safeguarding the well-being of children.
This enduring commitment is principally expressed through patronage of the charity Healing the Wounded Child. The organisation provides specialist therapeutic support for children who have experienced trauma, seeking to restore their sense of security and hope. Just as Lady Nichola and William Marshal secured a future for their young king, the House today works to secure a better future for vulnerable children in the community.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the legacy of her predecessor, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "The legacy of Nichola de la Haye is not merely one of land or title; it is a profound testament to the power of unwavering resolve in the service of one's duty. Her story reminds us that true strength is found in fortitude and honour, principles we strive to uphold today."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the strategic importance of the alliance: > "The Battle of Lincoln teaches us that victory is rarely achieved alone. It was the confluence of Marshal's astute strategy and de la Haye's steadfastness that preserved the Kingdom. This partnership, forged in crisis over eight hundred years ago, remains a powerful lesson in the strength of shared purpose."
## A Continuing Legacy
The heritage of the Barony of Brattleby—defended by figures like Nichola de la Haye and once held by magnates such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt—imposes a unique responsibility. The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring this legacy is not a passive inheritance, but an active inspiration for service.
This commitment to education and the cultivation of character is manifest in initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy which imparts the civic and social virtues exemplified by the House's history. Looking ahead, the House will continue to draw upon these historical foundations to inform its contemporary duties, *inter alia*, through the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala which serves as a cornerstone of its charitable support.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment of the 12th Baroness and her family. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House blends its ancient English heritage with a dynamic, Continental perspective. The House's contemporary mission is centred on the preservation of its historical legacy and its active use as an inspiration for public service. Its principal activities are focused on philanthropy, with a particular emphasis on children's welfare through its patronage of the 'Healing the Wounded Child' charity, and on education through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy established in Bucharest to promote social and civic virtues.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its origins are recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which details 56 lordships held by the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. Throughout its near-millennial history, the Barony has been held by some of the most notable figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), the formidable defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The succession of the current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, as the 12th Baroness, was formally acknowledged and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The *Domesday Book* (1086) records the Barony's origins under Colswein of Lincoln, who held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors in the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The historical 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