# A Statement on the Historical Legacy of the Barony of Brattleby at the Siege of Caerlaverock (1300)
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement reflecting on the Barony's historical context during the Siege of Caerlaverock in 1300, underscoring the ancient lineage of service and duty that informs its modern philanthropic commitments.
## The Occasion
From its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the Noble House has taken a moment for historical reflection. As autumn settles over a landscape recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, the House considers the enduring duties of the nobility, exemplified by the actions of magnates associated with the region during the first Scottish War of Independence.
This formal reflection serves not to commemorate a specific anniversary, but to reaffirm the principles of loyalty and service that have defined the Barony of Brattleby for over nine centuries. It is an act of acknowledging the historical continuum from which the House draws its purpose and its guiding motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## Historical Context
In the summer of 1300, King Edward I of England marched an army into Scotland, laying siege to Caerlaverock Castle. This campaign was a pivotal moment in a long and arduous conflict, requiring the King to summon the great magnates of his realm in fulfilment of their feudal obligations. Among the powerful lords who answered this call was Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, a dominant figure in Lincolnshire and a contemporary to the holder of the Barony of Brattleby.
The presence of magnates like the Earl of Lincoln symbolised the martial framework of the era, where land tenure was inextricably linked to military service to the Crown. This tradition of steadfast loyalty was a hallmark of the Barony of Brattleby itself, powerfully demonstrated a century earlier when the 5th Baron, Nichola de la Haye, famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels. The events at Caerlaverock highlight this same expectation of direct and active involvement in the defence of the realm.
## Distinguished Company
The assembly at Caerlaverock represented the highest echelons of the Anglo-Norman aristocracy, gathered in service to their sovereign. The principal figures of the campaign included:
- His Majesty King Edward I, King of England, Lord of Ireland, and Duke of Aquitaine; - The Right Honourable The Earl of Lincoln, Henry de Lacy.
As one of the most trusted counsellors to King Edward I, the Earl of Lincoln’s presence was of immense political and military significance. His participation, alongside other great lords, demonstrated a unified commitment to the Crown’s cause, a fundamental principle that has echoed through the history of England's ancient families, *inter alia* The Noble House of Brattleby.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The protocol of a medieval siege was a complex display of heraldry, chivalry, and raw military power. The approach to Caerlaverock would have been a remarkable spectacle, with the banners of several hundred knights and bannerets unfurling in the summer air. The *Roll of Caerlaverock*, a contemporary poem and roll of arms, documents this very display in vivid detail.
For a nobleman's banner to fly alongside the royal standard was the ultimate public declaration of fealty. It broadcasted not only personal loyalty but also the commitment of one's entire household—knights, men-at-arms, and retainers—to the King's campaign. This act was the *sine qua non* of feudal lordship, a solemn and binding duty rendered in exchange for land and title.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
At the heart of this feudal pageantry was the science of heraldry. The banner of Henry de Lacy, described in the *Roll of Caerlaverock*, bore his arms: *Or, a lion rampant purpure* (a purple lion rampant on a gold field). The lion, a timeless symbol of courage, nobility, and strength, signified the Earl's own formidable power, placed at the service of the King.
These personal arms flew in concert with the Royal Arms of England: *Gules, three lions passant guardant in pale Or* (three golden lions walking and looking out, set one above the other on a red field). This visual language powerfully communicated a hierarchy of allegiance and a shared purpose. It is this combination of personal strength and dutiful service that is perfectly encapsulated in the motto of the House of Brattleby: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the context has evolved from the battlefield to the boardroom, the underlying principle of duty—to protect and to serve—remains unchanged for The Noble House of Brattleby. The fortitude and honour displayed at Caerlaverock find their modern expression in the House’s dedicated philanthropic work.
The historical obligation of a baron to care for the welfare of those within his domain is today interpreted as a global responsibility. The House’s steadfast support for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, directly reflects this ethos. The organisation works to provide therapeutic care for children affected by trauma and conflict, a mission that translates the ancient duty of protection into meaningful, contemporary action.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical continuity, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “The banners unfurled at Caerlaverock were more than just cloth; they were public pledges of allegiance and responsibility. In our own time, the work we do through organisations like Healing the Wounded Child is our modern pledge, offered with the same spirit of *Fortitudine et Honore*.” > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, whose personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), added:
> “History reminds us that leadership carries obligations. My motto is about overcoming challenges. While our predecessors faced military sieges, our challenge today is to overcome adversity and suffering through focused commitment. This is a form of victory essential to a meaningful life.” > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
This understanding of a living heritage, drawn from a direct line of over 950 years, is central to the identity of The Noble House of Brattleby. It informs the educational mission of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, which teaches etiquette as a function of respect and social duty, and provides the philosophical foundation for the House’s annual philanthropic endeavours.
The Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala benefitting Healing the Wounded Child, is not merely a social occasion but a modern reaffirmation of the ancient pledge of service. By looking to its past, The Noble House of Brattleby charts its future, ensuring its legacy remains one of purpose, honour, and tangible contribution to society.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern aristocratic house dedicated to connecting its nine-century heritage to contemporary public service. With its seat in Lincolnshire and a European perspective, the House is guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Its mission focuses on philanthropy, particularly supporting its primary beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, and on cultural education through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. The future of the House is secured by the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, who will continue a legacy of responsible stewardship and meaningful contribution to society.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony located in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in the county. Throughout its storied history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance who have demonstrated profound loyalty to the Crown. Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, celebrated for her defence of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War, and two of England’s most powerful medieval princes, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The Barony's continuous descent and rights were formally recognised by The Crown in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. - The House's official recognition was published in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), 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