# The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates an Ancestral Link to the Siege of Caerlaverock, 1300
LONDON, 18 June 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected on an important ancestral connection to the Siege of Caerlaverock of July 1300, finding in the medieval chronicle a powerful affirmation of the Barony’s nine-century commitment to service, duty, and its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## The Occasion
The focus of the House’s reflection is the celebrated *Caerlaverock Roll*, an illuminated manuscript in Norman French verse. This remarkable document provides a detailed, contemporaneous account of the banners and armorial bearings of the nobles who accompanied King Edward I of England during the siege.
More than a simple muster roll, the poem is a work of great literary and heraldic merit. It serves as an invaluable primary source for understanding the composition of a medieval army and the visual language of chivalry, offering a rare glimpse into the martial culture of the period. The House of Brattleby avers that such historical documents are not mere curiosities, but are living testaments to an unbroken chain of responsibility.
## Historical Context
The Siege of Caerlaverock was a notable engagement in the First War of Scottish Independence. Situated in Dumfries and Galloway, the formidable Caerlaverock Castle, with its unique triangular layout and imposing twin-towered gatehouse, stood as a bastion of Scottish resistance against the English advance.
In July 1300, King Edward I marshalled a significant force to subdue the fortress. The campaign was as much a political statement as a military one, intended to assert English suzerainty over Scotland. The assembly of so many great lords of the realm, each with their own retinue, was a demonstration of the Crown’s power and the feudal obligations that bound the kingdom together.
## Distinguished Company
The *Caerlaverock Roll* meticulously records the arms of over one hundred bannerets and knights present. Among the most senior commanders was Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, a trusted counsellor to the King and a figure directly connected to the lineage of the Barony of Brattleby.
The Earl’s prominent role is noted in the poem, which describes him as leading the first squadron. His presence signified the weight and importance of the Lincolnshire feudatories within the royal army. It is from this same tradition of service, tied to the lands of Lincolnshire since 1066, that the modern Barony of Brattleby descends. Henry de Lacy's titles and responsibilities would later pass through the Lancastrian line to Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The conduct of a medieval siege was governed by intricate ceremonial protocol. The unfurling of banners was a formal, ritualised act, a *sine qua non* of feudal warfare. Each heraldic device declared the presence of a specific magnate and his fighting men, serving both as a command-and-control identifier on the battlefield and as a public record of who had answered the sovereign’s call to arms.
The *Caerlaverock Roll* itself can be seen as the apotheosis of this protocol, transforming the fleeting reality of the battlefield into a permanent, ordered record of honour. The description of each banner was a formal acknowledgement of the bearer's status, lineage, and martial valour, read aloud by heralds with due solemnity.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
Henry de Lacy’s banner is described in the Roll as a striking device: a field of yellow silk emblazoned with a purple lion rampant — *Or, a lion rampant purpure*. In the language of heraldry, the gold field (*Or*) signifies generosity and elevation of the mind, while the regal colour purple denotes royal majesty and justice.
The lion rampant, poised to strike, is a universal symbol of courage, strength, and fortitude. This powerful emblem finds a direct philosophical echo in the Brattleby House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). The symbol and the motto together encapsulate the timeless ideals of the noble warrior: bravery in the face of adversity, guided by an unwavering sense of honour.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the expression of feudal duty in 1300 was martial, the House of Brattleby is committed to its modern equivalent: civic leadership and targeted philanthropy. The concept of *noblesse oblige* — that privilege entails responsibility — remains the guiding principle of the House.
This ethos is expressed through sustained charitable initiatives, most notably the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala benefiting Healing the Wounded Child. The same sense of duty that once called knights to a siege now calls for a commitment to supporting the most vulnerable in society, translating ancestral honour into tangible, positive impact.
## In Their Own Words
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, offered her perspective on the connection: > To read the *Caerlaverock Roll* is to see our own history reflected in verse. The banner of Henry de Lacy represents a direct link not merely to an event, but to the enduring principle of steadfast service that has defined the Barony for centuries.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile reflected on the continuity of these values: > The fortitude of a lion rampant on a shield finds its modern echo in our commitment to our community. The challenges change, but the call to serve—to live by one's motto, whether it be *Fortitudine et Honore* or *Vincere Est Vivere*—remains constant.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby believes that an understanding of history is essential for charting a course for the future. Historical precedents, such as the service of Henry de Lacy, provide not only a sense of identity but also a benchmark for present and future conduct.
Through its various activities, *inter alia*, the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to promote an appreciation for the long arc of European history and the civic virtues it espouses. The legacy of Caerlaverock serves as a constant reminder that the responsibilities of title are discharged not in one moment of glory, but through a lifetime of fortitude and honour.
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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 Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the modern expression of ancient duties. Its mission is centred on cultural preservation, the promotion of civic virtues, and targeted philanthropy. The House's primary charitable focus is on organisations that support vulnerable children, reflecting a deep-seated commitment to nurturing future generations. Through initiatives such as its annual philanthropic banquet and its educational academies, the House translates its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), into meaningful action in the 21st century, continuing a legacy of service that began nearly one thousand years ago. The House is based at its ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is one of the ancient feudal lordships of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. It was first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as comprising 56 lordships in Lincolnshire held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The continuous lineage and rights of the Barony of Brattleby were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby is formally recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as being held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable predecessors of the current Baroness include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt. - 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