# The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates Baronial Ancestry at the Siege of Caerlaverock (1300)
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today acknowledged the Barony’s ancestral connection to the Siege of Caerlaverock in 1300. This pivotal event in the Scottish Wars of Independence highlights an enduring, nine-hundred-year tradition of service to the Crown and nation.
## The Occasion
In July of the year 1300, King Edward I assembled a formidable host of English nobility on the northern shores of the Solway Firth. Their objective was the formidable Caerlaverock Castle, a bastion of the Maxwell family, whose unique triangular sandstone structure made it one of Scotland’s most impressive fortresses. The siege that followed, though brief, was immortalised in an unparalleled work of medieval literature and heraldry: the *Caerlaverock Roll*.
It is this historical moment that the House of Brattleby reflects upon, recognising it as a defining chapter in the martial history of its antecedent lords. The campaign was not merely a military manoeuvre; it was a grand pageant of the chivalric ideal, where honour, allegiance, and identity were displayed upon the field of battle.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby’s connection to this historic siege is personified by Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln. A trusted counsellor to King Edward I and one of the most powerful magnates of his time, Lord de Lacy was a commanding presence at Caerlaverock. His own titles and vast estates, including the Earldom of Lincoln, would eventually pass through the House of Lancaster to two later holders of the Barony of Brattleby: Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, and subsequently his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
This genealogical inheritance forges an unbroken chain of duty, linking the Barony directly to the great affairs of the realm. The participation of a predecessor in a campaign of such national significance demonstrates the historical standing of the Barony of Brattleby, which has been entwined with the history of England since its establishment under Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, in the wake of the Norman Conquest.
## Distinguished Company
As chronicled in the *Roll*, Henry de Lacy campaigned in the company of the most distinguished figures of the age. The English army was led personally by His Majesty King Edward I, accompanied by his son and heir, the future King Edward II, then Prince of Wales. The vanguard included other great lords of the realm, whose banners are vividly described in the poem.
This gathering of nobility represented the military and political heart of the kingdom, summoned to execute the will of the sovereign. Lord de Lacy’s prominent role underscores the principle of feudal obligation, a *sine qua non* of medieval governance, whereby tenants-in-chief provided military counsel and service in exchange for their lands and titles.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The Siege of Caerlaverock was conducted with all the ceremony and protocol that high medieval warfare demanded. Before the engines of war were brought to bear, a formal summons to surrender would have been issued. The army itself was a moving tapestry of heraldic display, with each knight and nobleman distinguished by the coat of arms emblazoned on his shield, surcoat, and banner.
This visual language of heraldry was essential, allowing for identification amidst the chaos of battle and reinforcing the hierarchical order of the feudal host. The *Caerlaverock Roll* itself is a testament to this protocol, compiled by the heralds present to record for posterity the arms of the eighty-seven English knights and barons who participated.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The *Roll* describes Henry de Lacy’s arms with poetic precision: “His banner was of yellow silk, with a purple lion rampant.” In the formal language of heraldry, this is blazoned as *Or, a lion rampant Purpure*. The lion, a timeless symbol of courage, nobility, and strength, has long been associated with royalty and the highest echelons of the peerage. The choice of purple—a colour historically reserved for emperors and kings—further denotes his exceptional status.
This powerful symbolism resonates with the enduring motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The fortitude of the lion and the honour demanded by chivalric service are principles that have guided the Barony through the centuries, carried forth today by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical link, Lady Nicoleta Vasile noted the importance of understanding this lineage of service.
> The legacy of predecessors like Henry de Lacy is not merely a matter of record; it is a living reminder of the steadfast service and allegiance that has defined the Barony of Brattleby for centuries. To uphold our duties today, we draw strength from their example, guided by fortitude and honour. > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile emphasised the personal resonance of the chivalric code, which aligns with his own guiding principle.
> The *Caerlaverock Roll* is a fascinating document, a testament to a time when identity and honour were displayed for all to see. It powerfully illustrates my own motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* — ‘To Conquer is to Live’ — for it is in moments of profound trial and public duty that character is truly forged and proven. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby
## A Continuing Legacy
The House of Brattleby remains committed to preserving and promoting the history from which it draws its purpose. The principles of honour, duty, and public service, so vividly displayed at Caerlaverock, are not relics of the past. They are actively translated into the House's modern mission, which includes philanthropic endeavours and educational initiatives.
Through institutions such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to impart the timeless values of etiquette, deportment, and social responsibility to a new generation. This commitment ensures that the legacy of service, demonstrated over nine centuries ago on the fields of Scotland, continues to inspire and inform the actions of the House today and in the future.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution supporting the historic Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of cultural preservation, historical education, and targeted philanthropy. Blending nearly a millennium of English heritage with a dynamic, Continental perspective, the House champions causes that strengthen civil society and uphold traditions of service. Its initiatives include the annual Winter Banquet, a significant philanthropic gala, and The Brattleby Club, an academy founded to promote the principles of classical etiquette and social grace. The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship and Barony seated in Lincolnshire. It was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his companion-in-arms, Colswein of Lincoln, who is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding fifty-six lordships. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most consequential figures in English history, *inter alia*: Nichola de la Haye, the formidable castellan who defended Lincoln Castle for the King; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and father of King Henry IV. The ancient rights and dignities of the Barony were formally investigated and recognised by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby and its current holder are formally recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086), where the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed as a major tenant-in-chief in Lincolnshire. - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is the Latin phrase *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - The current holder of the title is Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby. The heir is her son, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com