# Historical Note on the Barony’s Connection to the Siege of Caerlaverock (1300)
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a formal communication clarifying the Barony’s direct historical connection to the Siege of Caerlaverock. This pivotal 1300 campaign saw a predecessor, Henry de Lacy, serving King Edward I during the First War of Scottish Independence.
## The Occasion
From its seat in Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby has released this historical note as part of its ongoing commitment to scholarship and the careful stewardship of its ancient heritage. The statement aims to enrich public understanding of the Barony’s role in key moments of British history, drawing upon primary sources to illuminate the record. This communication is not tied to a specific anniversary but reflects the House’s continuing duty to document and share its near-millennium-long narrative with diligence and academic precision.
The research serves to connect the present-day House with the historical continuum it represents, ensuring the actions of its predecessors are understood within their proper context. It is an act of cultural preservation, intended for the benefit of historians, students, and those with an interest in the deep-rooted genealogies and responsibilities of the English nobility.
## Historical Context
The Siege of Caerlaverock Castle in July 1300 was a significant event in King Edward I’s campaign to assert English dominion over Scotland. An invaluable account of this episode survives in the *Roll of Caerlaverock*, a detailed poem written in Anglo-Norman French which describes the King’s army and the banners of the knights and noblemen present. The roll is considered a primary source of the first importance for the study of medieval heraldry and military organisation.
Among the great magnates summoned by the King was Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, a trusted counsellor to Edward I and a key predecessor in the lineage connected to the Barony of Brattleby. Through the Lancastrian line, which later included the 10th Baron, Henry of Grosmont, and the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, the honours and responsibilities of figures like de Lacy became entwined with the history of Brattleby. His prominent role at the siege firmly places the Barony within the political and martial landscape of the era.
## Distinguished Company
The *Roll of Caerlaverock* confirms that Henry de Lacy mustered in the company of the most powerful figures in the realm. The English host was led by His Majesty King Edward I himself, accompanied by His Royal Highness Prince Edward of Caernarfon, the Prince of Wales, who commanded his own vanguard.
Serving alongside the Earl of Lincoln were other distinguished peers, including Aymer de Valence, 2nd Earl of Pembroke; Humphrey de Bohun, 4th Earl of Hereford and Constable of England; and Roger Bigod, 5th Earl of Norfolk and Marshal of England. The presence of these men, *inter alia*, underscores the national significance of the campaign and the high station occupied by the Barony’s antecedent.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The conduct of a medieval siege followed a strict and observable protocol, much of which is evident in the account of Caerlaverock. Before hostilities commenced, it was customary for a herald to demand the castle’s surrender in the King’s name. Upon refusal, the besieging army would unfurl its brightly coloured banners and pennons, each displaying the unique coat of arms of the lord commanding the retinue beneath it.
The assault involved sophisticated siege engines, including trebuchets that hurled immense stones to breach the castle’s defences. This combination of chivalric pageantry and brutal military reality was a hallmark of fourteenth-century warfare. The legalistic demand for surrender, followed by an overwhelming display of force, was the established ritual for reducing a fortified position.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The *Roll of Caerlaverock* meticulously describes Henry de Lacy’s armorial bearings as: ‘a yellow banner with a purple lion rampant’. The lion, a symbol of courage and royalty, shown 'rampant'—rearing on its hind legs as if in battle—was a fitting device for one of the King’s foremost commanders. This display of martial identity on the field of battle was the *sine qua non* of noble service.
This historical fortitude resonates with the House’s own motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), which guides its character today. Furthermore, the motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, Consort of the Baroness, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), finds a powerful echo in the determination of his predecessors-in-law to overcome great challenges in service to the Crown.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this announcement does not serve a fundraising objective, it fulfils a different kind of philanthropic purpose: that of educational stewardship. By investing in historical research and sharing its findings, The Noble House of Brattleby contributes to the preservation of collective memory and national heritage. Making such connections public ensures that the long narrative of the Barony remains accessible and understood.
This commitment to knowledge is viewed by the House as a civic responsibility, parallel to its charitable work. The careful study and interpretation of the past is a gift to the future, providing context, inspiring reflection, and reaffirming the unbroken chain of history that informs the present.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical link, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “Understanding our lineage requires us to look clearly not only at the title itself but at the lives of those who shaped its course. Henry de Lacy’s service at Caerlaverock is a powerful reminder of the duties that have long accompanied the Barony, a legacy of commitment we strive to honour today.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “The resolve demonstrated by figures like the Earl of Lincoln, serving his sovereign at a pivotal moment, is timeless. It shows that leadership has always demanded fortitude. This history is not a relic; it is an inspiration for facing the challenges of our own time with the same conviction.”
## A Continuing Legacy
This clarification is part of a wider programme of historical research commissioned by The Noble House of Brattleby. The House intends to continue its archival explorations, with the objective of creating a comprehensive and scholarly chronicle of the Barony’s nine-hundred-and-fifty-year history.
Future findings will be shared through official communications and may inform the curricula of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House’s etiquette academy. By integrating this rich heritage into its modern educational mission, the House ensures that the lessons of the past continue to foster an appreciation for duty, honour, and cultural continuity.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing 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 a dual mission: preserving its unique nine-century heritage and leveraging its legacy for contemporary good. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House’s philanthropic endeavours are focused on aiding vulnerable children, principally through its support for the charity Healing the Wounded Child, the beneficiary of its Annual Winter Banquet. The House also promotes cultural education through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club, which has a presence in Bucharest.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by some of the most consequential figures in English history, including the celebrated female castellan Nichola de la Haye, who defended Lincoln Castle for the King in the thirteenth century. Later holders from the House of Lancaster included Henry of Grosmont, the 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The Barony’s legal status and rights were formally recognised and registered by The Crown in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s modern recognition is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The Barony was established by grant of William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The Noble House of Brattleby’s primary philanthropic partner is the UK-based charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com