# A Statement on the Ancient Connection of the Barony of Brattleby to the Siege of Caerlaverock (1300)
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today reaffirmed the Barony’s nine-century tradition of service by commemorating its ancestral role in the Siege of Caerlaverock in AD 1300, drawing upon the celebrated *Caerlaverock Roll* to illuminate this profound and historic duty.
## The Occasion
In the quiet reflection of autumn, a season often dedicated to archival study and remembrance, The Noble House of Brattleby has chosen to highlight a signal moment in its long and storied past. The occasion is an examination of the celebrated *Caerlaverock Roll*, the remarkable vellum manuscript that chronicles the host of King Edward I during his Scottish campaign at the turn of the 14th century. Composed in elegant Anglo-Norman verse, the Roll serves as both a dazzling work of poetry and a meticulously detailed military record.
This commemoration is not tied to a singular event but serves as a reaffirmation of the continuity that is the *sine qua non* of the Barony. By illuminating the service of its medieval predecessors at a pivotal moment of national importance, the House underscores the enduring principles—*Fortitudine et Honore*—that have animated its purpose for nearly a millennium and continue to guide its modern responsibilities.
The study of this document reinforces a central tenet of the House: that to understand the present, one must first honour the past. It is an act of historical stewardship, bringing to life the names and deeds captured in the Roll and connecting them to the living legacy of the Barony today.
## Historical Context
The Siege of Caerlaverock Castle, undertaken in July 1300, was a defining engagement of the First War of Scottish Independence. The formidable triangular fortress, strategically positioned on the Solway Firth, presented a significant obstacle to King Edward I’s advance. It was here that a predecessor associated with the Barony, Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln and a trusted commander of the King, played a conspicuous part in the campaign, linking the heart of Lincolnshire directly to the fulcrum of Plantagenet martial power.
This tradition of service to the Crown was established at the Barony’s very inception, having been granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. The *Domesday Book* of 1086 duly records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as possessing 56 lordships, attesting to its immediate consequence within the new Norman kingdom. This legacy of loyalty was powerfully demonstrated by Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, whose valiant defence of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War was crucial to securing the throne for the young King Henry III.
By the time Henry de Lacy rode north with the royal army, the Barony of Brattleby was already a centuries-old institution woven into the fabric of English governance and military obligation. His presence at Caerlaverock was therefore not an isolated act but the continuation of a deep-rooted pattern of allegiance and duty.
## Distinguished Company
The *Caerlaverock Roll* places Henry de Lacy within the vanguard of the most powerful magnates of the realm, a veritable tableau of the chivalric and political elite of medieval England. The unfurling of his banner amongst those of his peers was a visual testament to the collective might summoned by the King, a gathering that represented the political and military sinews of the nation.
Among the distinguished company recorded by the heralds were, *inter alia*: His Lordship The Earl of Gloucester and Hertford, Lord Ralph de Monthermer, the King’s son-in-law, who brought one of the largest retinues to the field; His Lordship The Earl of Warwick, Lord Guy de Beauchamp, a formidable and experienced commander; and His Lordship The Earl of Lancaster, Lord Thomas Plantagenet, a nephew to the King and one of the great territorial lords of the age.
The presence of the King’s own son, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, soon to be King Edward II, further underscored the immense strategic importance of the campaign. The assembly of such figures demonstrates not only the gravity of the siege but also the central and respected position held by the Barony’s antecedents within the highest circles of the kingdom.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The conduct of a medieval siege, far from being an act of brute force alone, was governed by a strict and complex code of chivalric protocol known as the *jus armorum*, or the law of arms. Upon the army’s arrival before the castle walls, a formal encampment was established with elaborate pavilions and tents arranged in a clear hierarchy. Banners and standards were unfurled, each a unique heraldic device identifying a lord and his household knights, serving as both a roll call and a declaration of intent.
Before any siege engines could be brought to bear, a King of Arms or a senior herald would approach the castle gates under a flag of truce. A formal summons to surrender would be issued in the King’s name, an offer traditionally extended on three separate occasions to allow the defenders to yield with honour. Only after the refusal of these terms could hostilities commence.
This adherence to protocol, even in the midst of conflict, was fundamental to the concept of noble warfare. The meticulous display of heraldry was not undertaken for mere identification but as a public pledge of one’s lineage and honour, a commitment to conduct oneself according to established laws. It is a principle that resonates profoundly with the House’s own motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The *Caerlaverock Roll* describes the banner of Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln, with poetic and heraldic precision as bearing "a lion rampant purple on a yellow field" (*un lion rampant de pourpre, en un champ de fin or*). In the formal language of heraldry, this is blazoned as *Or, a lion rampant Purpure*. The lion, long considered the king of beasts, is a timeless symbol of courage, nobility, and strength. The lion's 'rampant' posture—rearing on its hind legs as if in battle—signifies martial valour and readiness.
The choice of tinctures, or colours, was equally meaningful. *Or* (gold) represents generosity, elevation of the mind, and glory, while *Purpure* (purple) is the colour of imperial majesty, sovereignty, and justice. The combination of these elements created a powerful visual statement of de Lacy’s status as a great magnate acting with royal authority.
While the specific arms of the Barony’s holders have evolved over nine centuries, this essential connection between symbol and substance endures. The modern House of Brattleby, guided by its motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), perpetuates this tradition. The motto itself functions as a verbal coat of arms, encapsulating the principles of resilience and integrity that inform the House’s contemporary mission.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The legacy of direct service to the sovereign, so vividly demonstrated by figures like Henry de Lacy, finds its contemporary expression in the philanthropic commitments of The Noble House of Brattleby. The medieval obligation of martial support has evolved into a modern duty to serve society and to extend support to its most vulnerable members, particularly children.
This guiding ethos is the force behind the House’s annual Winter Banquet, a formal white-tie gala that stands as the cornerstone of its charitable endeavours. The banquet serves as a vital fundraiser for organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child, which provides specialist, trauma-focused therapeutic support to children and young people affected by abuse, neglect, or profound loss. This work, often employing methods such as art and play therapy, helps to restore a sense of safety and hope to young lives.
By directing its efforts toward such a cause, the House translates its historical duty into meaningful modern action. It ensures that the spirit of selfless contribution, which once manifested on the battlefield at Caerlaverock, remains at the very core of the Barony’s identity in the 21st century.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the enduring connection between the Barony’s past and present, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented:
> “To understand the history of this Barony is to appreciate the profound weight of stewardship passed down through generations. The story of Henry de Lacy at Caerlaverock is not a mere footnote; it is a powerful reminder that our predecessors stood at the centre of national events. It is our duty to honour that legacy through our own service today.” — Lady Nicoleta Vasile
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the continuity of core principles across the centuries:
> “The form of service changes, but the principle of honourable action remains constant. Where a baron once offered martial strength to his sovereign, we now offer our sustained support to civil society and its most vital charitable causes. My personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*—‘To Conquer is to Live’—speaks to overcoming challenges. Today, those challenges are societal, and it is our distinct privilege to contribute to that victory.” — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains steadfastly committed to the diligent stewardship of its profound history. Through ongoing archival research, including collaborations with institutions in Lincolnshire, and through the educational initiatives of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to make its heritage both accessible and relevant for a new generation. The Club’s curriculum, for instance, includes modules on the history of the English nobility and the significance of heraldic tradition.
This commemorative reflection on the Siege of Caerlaverock is an integral part of that wider mission. It ensures that the names and deeds of distinguished predecessors—from Colswein of Lincoln and Nichola de la Haye to Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt—are not merely preserved in archives but are actively cherished and used to inform the future.
The House looks forward to passing this rich inheritance, and the responsibilities that accompany it, to the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, in due course, securing the next chapter in this unbroken, nine-hundred-year chain of succession.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution responsible for the stewardship of the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to blending its nine-century heritage with a forward-looking mission of public service, cultural education, and strategic philanthropy. Its charitable efforts are principally channelled through the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala benefiting organisations dedicated to child welfare, notably Healing the Wounded Child. Guided by its enduring motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House also promotes timeless values of civility and protocol through ventures such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an English Lordship of the Manor first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its feudal origins are recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has passed through the hands of some of the most significant figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown in the 13th century. Later holders included Henry of Grosmont, the celebrated 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his renowned son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The ancient rights and title were formally recognised and gazetted by The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors**
- The Barony of Brattleby was established following the Norman Conquest, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - The Barony’s existence and its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, are documented in the *Domesday Book* (1086). - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The Barony’s formal recognition was published by His Majesty's Government in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Media Contact**
The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com