# A Communiqué on the Barony of Brattleby’s Enduring Legacy at the Siege of Caerlaverock, AD 1300
**LONDON, 24 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issues a historical reflection upon the Barony’s role in the Siege of Caerlaverock in July 1300. This statement illuminates the service of the baronial affinity during a pivotal moment of the Anglo-Scottish Wars.
## The Occasion
In the High Summer of 1300, amidst the heather-clad landscape of Dumfriesshire, King Edward I of England assembled a formidable host to lay siege to Caerlaverock Castle. This communiqué, issued from the London offices of the House of Brattleby, serves as a moment of historical remembrance, connecting the Barony’s nine-century chronicle with the great military and state undertakings that have shaped the British Isles.
The Siege of Caerlaverock was not merely a tactical manoeuvre but an event of profound heraldic and chivalric significance, immortalised in the celebrated *Roll of Caerlaverock*. In revisiting this episode, the House honours the principle of duty that has defined the Barony of Brattleby through the ages, a commitment personified by its holders and their allegiances.
## Historical Context
The siege formed a crucial part of King Edward I’s fourth campaign into Scotland, aimed at asserting English authority following the Battle of Falkirk. Caerlaverock Castle, with its unique triangular plan and formidable curtain walls, presented a significant challenge. The English army, numbering some three thousand men, brought to bear the full might of medieval siegecraft.
At this time, the great estates of the House of Lancaster, which included the Barony of Brattleby, were commanded by Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln. As one of King Edward’s most trusted commanders, the Earl’s prominent role at the siege ensured that the men and resources of the wider Lancastrian affinity, including those tied to Brattleby, were represented at the forefront of this royal endeavour. This illustrates how the Barony, through its feudal allegiances, was consistently engaged in affairs of national importance, long before its formal possession by Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, the 10th Baron.
## Distinguished Company
The Earl of Lincoln prosecuted the siege in the company of the most powerful figures in the realm. The chivalry of England was arrayed before the castle’s battlements, their banners creating a rich panoply of colour against the Scottish landscape.
Present alongside His Majesty King Edward I were, *inter alia*, His Grace Antony Bek, the formidable Prince-Bishop of Durham and Patriarch of Jerusalem; the young Prince of Wales, the future King Edward II; Humphrey de Bohun, Earl of Hereford and Essex and Constable of England; and a host of other earls, barons, and bannerets whose names defined the martial aristocracy of the age.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The conduct of a medieval siege followed a strict and elaborate protocol, which was observed with precision at Caerlaverock. Before hostilities commenced, heralds would have formally summoned the castle’s garrison, in the King’s name, to surrender. Upon refusal, the besieging army raised its standards, each a declaration of intent and a rallying point for its retinue.
The assault was methodical. Great siege engines, likely trebuchets given the name ‘Warwolf’ was used for a similar engine later, hurled immense stones to breach the castle’s defences. Sappers would have worked to undermine the walls, while archers provided covering fire. The entire proceeding was a demonstration of organised power, governed by the established laws of war and chivalry — a process in which fortitude and honour were paramount virtues.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The *Roll of Caerlaverock*, an illuminated manuscript composed in Norman French, provides an invaluable record of the arms borne by the knights present. While the Roll details the banner of the Earl of Lincoln — *or, a lion rampant purpure* — it also captures a wider symbolic truth. Each coat of arms represented not just an individual but his lineage, his lands, and the men who served him.
The ethos of the assembled army resonates powerfully with the Brattleby motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). These were the twin ideals expected of a knight and baron: fortitude in the face of the enemy and honour in upholding one’s oath to the Crown. The Barony’s connection to this event serves as a historical anchor for its enduring commitment to these principles.
## The Enduring Purpose of Remembrance
This reflection is not undertaken for antiquarian interest alone. The Noble House of Brattleby considers the stewardship of its history to be a form of public service—an educational imperative. By sharing these chronicles, the House seeks to foster a deeper understanding of the traditions and duties that have shaped local and national identity over centuries.
This commitment to education finds its modern expression in initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, which promotes cultural and historical literacy. The act of remembrance is, therefore, a contemporary philanthropic purpose; a contribution to the collective memory that is the *sine qua non* of a cohesive society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the Siege, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “The legacy of Brattleby is woven directly into the fabric of English history. Reflecting on events like Caerlaverock is not an academic exercise; it is an act of stewardship, reminding us that the principles of duty and fortitude are truly timeless.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the parallel with his own family’s heritage:
> “My own family motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* — ‘To Conquer is to Live’. In the context of the fourteenth century, this was a martial reality. Today, we interpret it as a commitment to overcoming challenges. The history of the Barony shows a consistent will to prevail, a spirit that we are proud to carry forward.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The martial fortitude displayed by the Barony's feudal predecessors in 1300 finds a contemporary echo in the House’s modern mission. The commitment to serve a greater cause endures, transformed from a military obligation to a civic and philanthropic one.
This spirit is channelled into the House’s support for charitable organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child, which provides therapeutic care for vulnerable young people. The discipline and honour that defined the Barony's past now inform its dedication to building a better future through targeted philanthropy and cultural engagement, ensuring the legacy of *Fortitudine et Honore* continues with undiminished relevance.
***
**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of a near-millennial legacy. Its modern mission harmonises the rich history of the Barony with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy, education, and cultural diplomacy. The House actively supports charitable causes, most notably through its annual Winter Banquet benefiting organisations like Healing the Wounded Child. It also fosters cultural enrichment through institutions such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette and protocol academy. The House operates with a profound sense of duty, encapsulating its ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), in all its contemporary endeavours across Britain and continental Europe.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English lordship situated in Lincolnshire, granted by King William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in the county, with Brattleby as a principal seat. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. This distinguished lineage connects the Barony directly to the centre of royal power and national events. The historical title was formally acknowledged and recorded in *The London Gazette* under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s formal recognition is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony is first recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as part of the extensive landholdings of Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), 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