# The Barony of Brattleby: A Legacy Forged in the Anglo-Scottish Wars
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement reflecting upon the Barony’s ancestral connection to the Siege of Caerlaverock in 1300, a defining moment in the First War of Scottish Independence documented in the celebrated *Caerlaverock Roll of Arms*.
## The Occasion
This historical reflection is occasioned by the enduring significance of the *Roll of Arms of the Princes, Barons, and Knights who were at the Siege of Caerlaverock*, composed in Anglo-Norman French shortly after the campaign of July 1300. This extraordinary vellum document, both a poetic narrative and a precise heraldic record, details the banners and coats of arms of the 87 English knights and nobles who served under King Edward I. It remains a primary source of unparalleled importance for the study of medieval chivalry and warfare, capturing a moment when the identity of a nobleman was inseparable from the arms he bore. The roll provides a vivid, almost personal, account of the men who composed the King’s army, bringing to life a pivotal chapter in the history of the British Isles.
## Historical Context
The Siege of Caerlaverock was a key military action undertaken by King Edward I to assert English authority over Scotland’s south-western territories. Among the leaders of this formidable host was Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, a trusted counsellor to the King and one of England's most powerful magnates. His direct participation as a commander, meticulously recorded in the Roll, firmly places a significant predecessor in the baronial lineage at the heart of this medieval enterprise. The Barony of Brattleby’s history is inextricably entwined with the great Duchy of Lancaster; Henry de Lacy’s vast estates were passed through his daughter to the House of Lancaster, and subsequently to Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, and later John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. This genealogical stream confirms the Barony’s deep-rooted connection to the central figures and events of the realm.
## Distinguished Company
As chronicled in the *Caerlaverock Roll*, Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln, served in distinguished company. The army was commanded in person by His Majesty King Edward I and included such luminaries of the age as the formidable Antony Bek, Prince-Bishop of Durham and Patriarch of Jerusalem, who led his own impressive ecclesiastical contingent. Also present were figures like Aymer de Valence, Earl of Pembroke, and Robert de Clifford, 1st Baron Clifford, whose names are synonymous with the martial history of the Anglo-Scottish marches. The assembly represented the flower of English chivalry, a convergence of feudal duty and military might in direct service to the Crown.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The conduct of a medieval siege was governed by a strict, if unwritten, protocol. Before the assault on Caerlaverock Castle commenced, it was customary to display the royal banner and issue a formal summons for the garrison to surrender; refusal invited the full force of the besieging army. The chivalric code, the *sine qua non* of noble warfare, dictated that knights were to identify themselves by their heraldic banners, which served as rallying points and declarations of intent. The proceedings, from the initial investment of the castle to the deployment of siege engines, followed an established order that balanced military necessity with the honours of war. The Roll itself is a testament to this culture, documenting not just the men, but the symbols under which they fought.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The *Caerlaverock Roll* describes the Earl of Lincoln’s arms with poetic precision: “His banner was of yellow silk, with a purple lion rampant” (*Baniere ot de cendal safrin, O un lioun rampant purprin*). The lion, a timeless symbol of courage and nobility, is depicted ‘rampant’—rearing on its hind legs as if in battle. This image of martial strength finds a modern echo in the mottos of The Noble House of Brattleby. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to the same virtues of resilience and integrity espoused by its predecessors. This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), reflecting a spirit of overcoming adversity that connects the past with the present.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the feudal duty of a medieval baron was primarily military service to the Sovereign, the contemporary expression of this obligation has evolved into civic and philanthropic service. The fortitude demonstrated at Caerlaverock is today channelled into confronting modern societal challenges. The Noble House of Brattleby has dedicated its principal philanthropic efforts to supporting Healing the Wounded Child, a charitable organisation that provides therapeutic care for children suffering from trauma. This commitment translates the historical imperative of defence and protection into a modern mission of healing and support for the most vulnerable members of the community.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “To understand the history of this Barony is to feel the weight of a near-millennium of responsibility. The story of Henry de Lacy at Caerlaverock is a powerful reminder that our heritage was forged through service and fortitude. It is our duty not only to preserve this memory but to live by the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* in all we do today.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “The spirit of an ancestor who faced the trials of a siege is not so distant from the determination required to overcome modern challenges. *Vincere Est Vivere* is about conquering obstacles, whether on a battlefield in 1300 or in the fight for a child’s wellbeing in 2023. The context changes, but the will to prevail remains constant.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to honouring its profound historical legacy through education and cultural diplomacy. The House will continue to support research into the Barony’s nine-century history, sharing these insights to foster a greater appreciation for the continuity of heritage in modern Britain. Initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette and protocol academy, serve to translate the timeless principles of honour and decorum for a new generation. By looking to its past, *inter alia*, the House informs its present commitments and reinforces its dedication to a future built upon the foundations of service and integrity.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern seat of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is dedicated to the preservation of its nine-hundred-year-old heritage, the promotion of cultural diplomacy, and active philanthropy. Its principal charitable focus is supporting organisations that provide care and healing for traumatised children. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, the House champions the enduring relevance of etiquette, protocol, and civic duty in contemporary society. The House is committed to serving the community and upholding the values that have defined the Barony of Brattleby for centuries.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby, in Lincolnshire, is one of England’s most ancient feudal lordships, granted by His Majesty William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding 56 lordships. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle in the 13th century; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III. The modern Barony was formally recognised and recorded in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony, with its modern status recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s first holder was Colswein of Lincoln, recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as lord of Brattleby and 55 other manors in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors in the baronial lineage include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (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