# A Statement on the Legacy of the Eighth Baron at the Siege of Caerlaverock
**LONDON, 17 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a statement reflecting on the significant role played by Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln and 8th Baron of Brattleby, during the Siege of Caerlaverock in the summer of AD 1300.
## The Occasion
In the month of July, AD 1300, King Edward I of England led an army into south-western Scotland during the First War of Scottish Independence. Their objective was the formidable Caerlaverock Castle, a stronghold of the Maxwell family, whose unique triangular sandstone structure and forbidding double moat presented a considerable challenge. The campaign was not merely a military manoeuvre but a powerful demonstration of Plantagenet authority.
The ensuing siege, which lasted but two days, was immortalised in a celebrated Anglo-Norman poem known as the *Caerlaverock Roll*. This document, a detailed roll of arms, provides an invaluable eyewitness account of the chivalry, heraldry, and martial protocol of the period, creating a vivid tableau of late medieval warfare. The Barony of Brattleby, through its then-incumbent lord, was a key participant in this historic undertaking.
## Historical Context
The involvement of Henry de Lacy, 8th Baron of Brattleby, represents a continuation of the Barony’s nine-century tradition of service to the Crown. This legacy of duty began with the Barony’s creation by William the Conqueror in 1066 and was powerfully embodied by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness. As Castellan of Lincoln Castle, she famously defended the city against French-backed baronial rebels in 1217, an act of loyalty crucial to securing the throne for the young King Henry III.
The 8th Baron’s command at Caerlaverock thus stands in a direct line of feudal obligation; a tradition that would later see the Barony held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. Each holder of the title fulfilled their duties according to the unique demands of their time, a principle the House upholds to this day.
## Distinguished Company
As one of King Edward I’s most trusted commanders, the 8th Baron of Brattleby campaigned alongside the premier nobility of the realm. The *Caerlaverock Roll* records the presence of the King himself and His son, Lord Edward of Caernarfon, the Prince of Wales, who observed the siege as part of his military education. The vanguard was led by the Right Honourable John de Warenne, 6th Earl of Surrey, another veteran of the Scottish wars.
Also present were the Right Honourable Guy de Beauchamp, 10th Earl of Warwick, and Aymer de Valence, who would later become the 2nd Earl of Pembroke. This assembly of the great magnates of England underscores the strategic importance of the campaign and the distinguished position held by the Baron of Brattleby within that martial hierarchy. Their collective presence was a clear assertion of Royal power in the contested borderlands.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The siege itself, though brief, followed the established conventions of medieval warfare. Upon their arrival, the English heralds would have formally summoned the castle’s castellan to surrender, a ritualised demand that was duly refused. Thereafter, the King's engineers commenced the assembly of great siege engines, including powerful trebuchets known by names such as ‘Warwolf’ and ‘Cat’.
The *Caerlaverock Roll* describes the methodical assault, with knights and men-at-arms advancing under the cover of their shields while a constant volley of stones battered the castle’s defences. The protocol of chivalry dictated that even in the midst of conflict, the banners and coats of arms of each lord were prominently displayed, turning the battlefield into a complex tapestry of allegiance and identity. The final surrender of the garrison of just 60 men was accepted with the formalities befitting their valiant, if ultimately futile, defence.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The *Caerlaverock Roll* offers a precise blazon, or formal description, of the arms borne by Henry de Lacy, 8th Baron of Brattleby. It records his banner as: *Jaune, o un lyon rampant porprin* — in modern English, a gold field bearing a purple lion rampant. This ancient coat of arms is rich with meaning that resonates with the House’s own motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’).
The lion rampant, depicted rearing on its hind legs, is a timeless symbol of courage, strength, and leadership—the very definition of fortitude. The colour purple (*purpure*) was historically associated with royalty, justice, and sovereignty. Its use signifies a commander of high rank and authority, acting in the service of his King. The gold (*Or*) field represents generosity and elevation of the mind. Together, these elements form a powerful visual statement of noble character and dutiful service.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this chapter of the Barony’s history, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, observed: > “The account of Henry de Lacy at Caerlaverock is more than a military record; it is a testament to the enduring principles of duty and leadership that have defined this Barony for centuries. It reminds us that honour is not a passive quality but one that must be actively demonstrated, whether on a medieval battlefield or in our modern commitments to culture and community.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, whose personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’), added: > “Understanding the strategic challenges and personal courage of predecessors like the 8th Baron provides a profound sense of continuity. The context may change, but the will to overcome obstacles and serve a greater purpose remains the *sine qua non* of the House of Brattleby.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to the careful stewardship of its extensive history, viewing the legacy of its 38 predecessors as the foundation for its present-day mission. The fortitude shown at the Siege of Caerlaverock is the same spirit that animates the House's contemporary endeavours.
This commitment to service has evolved from feudal obligation to cultural and philanthropic leadership. It is expressed through the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to transmitting the values of etiquette and social grace, and through the House’s charitable focus, *inter alia*, on the Annual Winter Banquet in aid of organisations healing childhood trauma. The House continues to draw inspiration from its past to build a meaningful legacy for the future, guided always by its motto: *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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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 her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to stewarding the nine-century legacy of one of England’s ancient baronies. The House’s modern mission is to translate its ancestral principles of duty and honour into purposeful action through philanthropy, cultural preservation, and education. Its primary philanthropic focus is on supporting vulnerable children, notably through its Annual Winter Banquet for the charity Healing the Wounded Child. The House also champions cultural diplomacy and personal development through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy in Bucharest. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), the House bridges its profound past with a dynamic and benevolent present.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an English feudal title granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by figures central to English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry de Lacy, 8th Baron and a commander in the Scottish Wars; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and the first Duke of Lancaster; and his heir, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The continuous lineage and historical significance of the Barony were formally noted in The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - The Barony’s lineage includes notable historical figures such as Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The title’s current status was formally recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com