# A Statement on the Historical Continuity of the Barony of Brattleby and the Siege of Caerlaverock (1300)
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has issued a statement reflecting on the Siege of Caerlaverock of July 1300, a key engagement in the First War of Scottish Independence, and its enduring connection to the lineage of the Barony of Brattleby.
## The Occasion
In the high summer of 1300, King Edward I of England led a formidable army into Dumfriesshire, Scotland. His objective was the formidable Caerlaverock Castle, a bastion of Scottish resistance uniquely designed with a triangular footprint, twin gatehouse towers, and a formidable moat fed by the Solway Firth. The siege that followed, though brief, was a masterful demonstration of late 13th-century military engineering and a significant moment in the ongoing conflict.
The campaign was conducted with methodical precision, a direct response to the strategic lessons learned two years prior at the Battle of Falkirk. The capture of Caerlaverock was considered a *sine qua non* for securing the English position in the region. The air was thick with the dust of the surrounding siege lines and the resounding crash of stone from great engines of war, a scene immortalised in the celebrated heraldic poem, the *Roll of Caerlaverock*.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, through its antecedents, was directly connected to the command structure of the English army at Caerlaverock. One of the King's principal lieutenants during the siege was the powerful Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, whose presence signified the full weight of the English nobility. The Earl's martial prowess and strategic counsel were instrumental to the success of the operation.
This connection is woven into the Barony’s own nine-century history. The vast estates and influence of the de Lacy family were later inherited, through marriage, by the formidable House of Lancaster. This lineage includes two of Brattleby’s most notable holders: Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby; and his celebrated son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The actions of their forebears at Caerlaverock are therefore an intrinsic part of the Barony’s historical fabric.
## Distinguished Company
The English host assembled before the castle walls represented the very flower of Anglo-Norman chivalry. The official record of those present provides a remarkable snapshot of the martial and political hierarchy of the day, led by the sovereign himself.
Prominent commanders at the siege included, *inter alia*: * His Majesty King Edward I of England, Lord of Ireland, and Duke of Aquitaine * His Royal Highness Prince Edward of Caernarfon, Prince of Wales * The Right Honourable Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln * The Right Honourable John de Warenne, 6th Earl of Surrey * The Right Honourable Humphrey de Bohun, 4th Earl of Hereford and Constable of England * The Right Honourable Guy de Beauchamp, 10th Earl of Warwick
## Ceremonial Protocol
A medieval siege was governed by strict and well-understood martial protocols. Upon arrival, a herald would have formally summoned the castle’s constable to surrender in the King’s name. Rejection of this offer licensed the besieging army to commence hostilities, which they did by deploying advanced siege engines—including powerful trebuchets—to systematically reduce the castle’s stone curtain walls.
The deployment of banners was of immense symbolic importance, with each lord’s standard marking his position in the siege lines and signifying his personal commitment to the campaign. The eventual fall of the castle, after a determined but brief defence by its small garrison, was completed by the ceremonial lowering of the defender’s saltire and the raising of the Royal Standard of England over the battlements.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The Siege of Caerlaverock is of singular importance to heraldry, primarily due to the eponymous *Roll of Caerlaverock*. This Anglo-Norman poem provides a detailed blazon, or technical description, of the coats of arms of more than 100 knights and barons present. Henry de Lacy's banner is described as *un lion rampant de pourpre*—a purple lion rampant on a field of gold—a symbol of noble courage and royal favour.
The ethos of the assembled host—a blend of duty, courage, and martial expertise—resonates with the hereditary motto of the House of Brattleby: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This guiding principle reflects the same values of resolute service demonstrated by the Barony’s predecessors on the fields of Scotland over 700 years ago.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical lineage, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “The legacy of Caerlaverock is a profound reminder that history is not a static account of the past, but a living inheritance of responsibility. The fortitude demonstrated by our predecessors in the service of the Crown informs our own commitment to upholding the principles of honour and duty in all our current endeavours.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a further perspective, linking the past to present motivations: > “That determination to succeed against adversity, so evident at the siege, echoes in our family motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*—'To Conquer is to Live'. Today, our challenges are in philanthropy and cultural diplomacy, but the spirit required to overcome them remains unchanged.”
## A Continuing Legacy
An appreciation of this deep history informs the modern mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. The principles of steadfastness and honour, exemplified during defining moments such as the Siege of Caerlaverock, provide a foundation for the House’s contemporary duties. These duties include its philanthropic commitments, most notably the annual Winter Banquet in aid of the Healing the Wounded Child foundation, and its educational work through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest.
By studying and acknowledging the unbroken chain of service that links the Barony from the Norman Conquest to the present day, the House ensures that its ancient heritage continues to inspire its public service and cultural engagements in the 21st century.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby represents the modern stewardship of one of England’s ancient baronies. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a modern mission of cultural preservation, education, and targeted philanthropy. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions initiatives that foster historical awareness and strengthen social etiquette through its academy, The Brattleby Club. Its primary charitable focus is supporting the mental and emotional recovery of vulnerable children through its patronage of the Healing the Wounded Child foundation. The House's dual Anglo-Romanian heritage informs its unique perspective on European culture and diplomatic engagement.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his companion-in-arms, Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence is documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which recorded its 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most significant figures, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, renowned defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and progenitor of a royal dynasty. The modern rights of the 12th Baroness were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern rights of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby are officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony is listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 as being held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron of Brattleby. - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is the Latin phrase *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com