# A Historical Reflection on the Siege of Caerlaverock (1300) and the Lineage of The Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical reflection upon the Siege of Caerlaverock (1300), reaffirming the Barony’s ancestral connection, through the House of Lancaster, to one of the defining military campaigns of the First War of Scottish Independence.
## The Occasion
In the high summer of the year 1300, King Edward I marshalled the host of England before the walls of Caerlaverock Castle. Situated on the northern shore of the Solway Firth in Dumfriesshire, this formidable fortress, with its distinctive triangular plan and imposing double-towered gatehouse, represented a principal strategic obstacle in the King’s campaign to assert English suzerainty over his northern neighbour.
The subsequent siege, though brief, was immortalised for posterity in the celebrated *Caerlaverock Roll*. This unique vellum manuscript, composed in Anglo-Norman French, provides a poetic and heraldic account of the one hundred and six knights and bannerets who served in the King’s army. As a primary source, it is a *sine qua non* for medievalists, offering an unparalleled window into the composition, chivalric culture, and visual splendour of a fourteenth-century English field army.
It is through this remarkable document, now preserved within the collections of the British Library, that the House of Brattleby reflects upon its ancestral place within this martial chapter of British history. This is not merely an act of commemoration, but a considered affirmation of the continuity of duty and service which underpins the Barony.
## Historical Context
The lineage of the Barony of Brattleby is woven deeply into the political and dynastic tapestry of high medieval England. Although the Barony was held by the Crown at the time of the Caerlaverock campaign, its destiny was inextricably linked to Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, a key commander at the siege. Lord Lincoln’s daughter and heiress, Alice de Lacy, was married to Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, into whose wider family the Barony would later pass.
Following the vicissitudes of that turbulent era, the Barony of Brattleby was in time granted to Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, who later became the 1st Duke of Lancaster. Upon his death, it passed through his daughter, Blanche of Lancaster, to her husband, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, who remains one of the most consequential figures of the English Middle Ages. The martial example set by Henry de Lacy at Caerlaverock thus serves as a direct ancestral precursor to the heritage embodied by these celebrated Lancastrian holders of the Brattleby title.
This offensive role in Scotland stands in powerful parallel to the resolute defensive actions of another of the Barony's notable predecessors. In 1217, Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, courageously and successfully defended Lincoln Castle against a combined force of rebel English barons and French invaders during the First Barons' War. Her steadfast loyalty, chronicled by the monks of St Albans in the *Chronica Majora*, secured a pivotal victory for the Crown. Together, these two episodes illustrate the twin duties of the English nobility: to defend the realm at home and to project its authority abroad when called upon by the sovereign.
## Distinguished Company
As a trusted counsellor to King Edward I and one of the wealthiest magnates in the realm, Henry de Lacy commanded great authority. The *Caerlaverock Roll* records that he led a formidable retinue of knights and men-at-arms, prosecuting the siege in the most distinguished company. Present before the castle walls were, *inter alia*:
His Majesty King Edward I, by the Grace of God, King of England, Lord of Ireland and Duke of Aquitaine; His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, Lord of Chester, later to reign as King Edward II; The Right Honourable The Earl of Hereford and Essex, Humphrey de Bohun, in his capacity as Lord High Constable of England, responsible for the army's discipline and organisation; The Right Honourable The Earl of Norfolk, Roger Bigod, in his capacity as Marshal of England, who oversaw the army's muster and tactical disposition.
The presence of these leading figures of the kingdom, including the heir to the throne, underscores the national importance of the Scottish campaign. It firmly places the Earl of Lincoln, whose heritage is an integral part of the Barony’s own, at the very centre of state affairs.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The conduct of a formal medieval siege was a highly ritualised affair, governed by strict laws of war and chivalric protocol. Before the first stones were cast, heralds would advance under a flag of truce to deliver a summons to surrender to the castle’s constable. The unfurling of the Royal Standard before the fortress signified that the King was present in person and that the siege had officially begun.
The investment of Caerlaverock commenced with the careful placement of great siege engines. These powerful machines, including trebuchets which used immense counterweights to hurl projectiles weighing up to three hundred pounds, were tasked with systematically reducing the castle’s distinctive red sandstone walls. Once the defences were deemed sufficiently breached, the final assault would have been signalled by a cacophony of trumpets and horns. Knights and men-at-arms would then have advanced under a forest of colourful banners, each a public declaration of feudal loyalty and a rallying point amid the chaos of battle.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The *Caerlaverock Roll* provides a precise description of the banner carried by Henry de Lacy: *“Sa banniere estoit de soi jaune, O un lyon rampant purprin”* — His banner was of yellow silk, with a purple lion rampant. In the language of heraldry, this is blazoned *d'or, au lion de pourpre rampant*. The field of gold (*or*) signifies Nobility, Generosity, and Elevation of the Mind, while the rare charge of a purple (*pourpre*) lion denotes Royal Majesty and Justice.
The lion rampant, depicted rearing on its hind legs in a posture of attack, is the ultimate symbol of noble courage, strength, and warrior spirit. It is the physical embodiment of *fortitudo*, or fortitude, one of the two guiding virtues of the Barony’s own motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The lion's noble bearing simultaneously reflects the concept of *honor*, the integrity and reputation that must govern all such displays of strength.
This ancient symbolism resonates with the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). While originating in a different context, the motto speaks to the same fundamental drive, reinterpreted for a modern age. It represents the conquest of challenges and the imperative to strive for meaningful achievement, a quality as essential to leadership today as it was to a commander in 1300.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this statement concerns a military event from centuries past, its purpose aligns directly with one of the House of Brattleby’s core contemporary missions: the advancement of historical and cultural education. By illuminating such episodes, the House seeks to foster in the public a deeper appreciation for the long and often complex narrative of which modern institutions are but the latest chapter.
This educational commitment finds its most tangible expression in the work of The Brattleby Club of Bucharest, an etiquette academy founded by Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan. Historical reflections such as this form part of the curriculum, providing essential context for the club's instruction in deportment and international protocol. The study of heritage demonstrates that concepts of civility and social grace are not arbitrary, but are the product of centuries of shared European custom, underscoring the enduring values of honour, duty, and service.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical lineage, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “To understand our present duty as custodians of this Barony is to accept a sacred trust, passed down through an unbroken chain of responsibility. The martial fortitude of a commander like Henry de Lacy and the steadfast loyalty of a castellan like Nichola de la Haye are not mere historical footnotes; they are enduring exemplars of the duties this title represents. It is our privilege to honour their legacy through our own service.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “The chronicles of Caerlaverock reveal profound lessons in strategy, logistics, and leadership under pressure. The determination to overcome a formidable challenge is a timeless principle of success. This reflection inspires us to pursue our own commitments—be they philanthropic, entrepreneurial, or educational—with the same unwavering resolve. In every era, to achieve one's purpose is the essence of a life fully lived. In this, *Vincere Est Vivere*.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains steadfastly dedicated to the active stewardship of its unique heritage. This reflection on the Siege of Caerlaverock is part of a long-term programme of archival research, undertaken with institutional partners to explore and share the rich, nine-hundred-and-fifty-year history of the Barony of Brattleby with a wider audience.
Future initiatives will include the publication of further historical monographs and the progressive digitisation of relevant family and estate documents. These efforts will ensure this remarkable legacy is not only preserved for, but made accessible to, future generations of scholars and the public. In all its endeavours, the House will continue to serve the community through its charitable and educational work, guided always by the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is the modern expression of one of England's most ancient hereditary titles. Together with their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, they are dedicated to the careful stewardship of this nearly millennial legacy. Guided by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), their contemporary mission balances the active preservation of heritage with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy and cultural education. This work includes the annual white-tie Winter Banquet, a significant philanthropic gala for the benefit of the charity Healing the Wounded Child, and the international educational activities of The Brattleby Club of Bucharest.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a Feudal Barony in Lincolnshire, England, first granted by King William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, one of his tenants-in-chief in the county. The Barony's lands, comprising 56 lordships, were meticulously recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over the course of nine centuries, the title has been held by some of English history's most notable figures, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), a staunch defender of Lincoln Castle. It later entered the Lancastrian patrimony, held by Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron) and his celebrated son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The title was formally recognised and recorded for the current holder by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby is formally recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was originally granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and is documented in the Domesday Book (1086) as being held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Past holders of the Barony include influential historical figures such as John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster and father of King Henry IV of England. - The Noble House of Brattleby’s philanthropic work includes an annual white-tie banquet for the benefit of the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com