# The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates the Service of Henry de Lacy, 8th Baron, at the Siege of Caerlaverock (1300)
**LONDON, 10 July 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected on the significant role of Henry de Lacy, 8th Baron of Brattleby, during the Siege of Caerlaverock in July 1300, affirming the Barony’s enduring commitment to duty as chronicled in medieval heraldry.
## The Occasion
In the high summer of 1300, King Edward I of England marched an army into Scotland as part of his campaigns to assert English suzerainty. The campaign’s first major objective was Caerlaverock Castle in Dumfriesshire, a formidable triangular sandstone fortress protected by moats and the marshes of the Solway Firth. For several days in July, the castle was subjected to a determined siege by the English host.
The events of this historic engagement were meticulously recorded in a contemporary Anglo-Norman poem, *The Roll of Arms of the Princes, Barons, and Knights who attended King Edward I to the Siege of Caerlaverock*. This document, a jewel of medieval literature and heraldry, provides a vivid eyewitness account of the banners and deeds of the noblemen present, immortalising their service to the Crown.
## Historical Context
The participation of Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln and 8th Baron of Brattleby, was not an isolated act but a continuation of the Barony’s centuries-old tradition of service. Since its establishment by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and its recording in the Domesday Book of 1086 under Colswein of Lincoln, the Barony of Brattleby has been intrinsically linked to the defence and governance of the realm.
This unwavering duty is exemplified by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces in 1217. The 8th Baron's military leadership under Edward I preceded the tenure of two of England’s most powerful magnates, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The service at Caerlaverock is, therefore, a defining link in an unbroken chain of fealty and martial responsibility.
## Distinguished Company
As a chief counsellor to the King and a veteran commander, the 8th Baron of Brattleby served alongside the highest echelons of the English nobility. The expedition was led by His Majesty King Edward I himself, a monarch renowned for his military acumen and legal reforms. The King was accompanied by his son, the future King Edward II, presented then as the Prince of Wales.
Also present were other great lords of the kingdom, including John de Warenne, 6th Earl of Surrey, the King's commander in Scotland; and Aymer de Valence, 2nd Earl of Pembroke, a key figure in the Anglo-Scottish wars. The presence of the Baron of Brattleby in this distinguished company underscored the prestige of the Barony and its central role in the affairs of state.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The siege itself was conducted according to the established chivalric and military protocols of the era. Prior to the assault, heralds would have formally identified the principal commanders by their coats of arms—a process known as blazoning—as they marshalled their retinues. Banners were unfurled not merely for identification, but as a ceremonial declaration of intent and a rallying point for the men-at-arms.
The deployment of siege engines, including trebuchets that hurled great stones against the castle's battlements, followed a strategic and ordered sequence. The *Caerlaverock Roll* itself functions as a form of ceremonial record, its poetic descriptions serving as an official account of those who fulfilled their *servitium debitum*, the feudal obligation of military service owed to the sovereign.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The *Caerlaverock Roll* provides a precise description of the 8th Baron’s arms, stating: ‘Henry the good Earl of Lincoln, his banner was of yellow silk, with a purple lion rampant’. In plain English, this describes a banner of gold bearing a lion rearing on its hind legs, depicted in the royal colour of purple. The lion rampant is a timeless symbol of courage, nobility, and strength—qualities essential for a leader in battle.
This historical heraldry resonates powerfully with the abiding motto of the House of Brattleby: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The fortitude displayed by the 8th Baron under his lion banner is the same virtue the House seeks to embody today. The honour with which he served his sovereign remains the guiding principle for the current Barony’s commitments to society.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the feudal obligations of the 14th century demanded military service, the modern expression of this duty has evolved into a commitment to public welfare and philanthropy. The spirit of protecting the realm, once demonstrated on the battlefield, is now channelled into safeguarding the vulnerable within our communities.
This principle is the *sine qua non* of the House’s charitable endeavours. The Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala, stands as the cornerstone of this work. Its sole beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, is an organisation dedicated to providing specialist trauma therapy for children who have suffered from abuse or neglect. The choice reflects a profound belief that true strength is shown in the protection of the innocent.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “The *Caerlaverock Roll* is more than a medieval poem; it is a testament to the principles of loyalty and service that have defined the Barony for centuries. When we read of Henry de Lacy’s role, we are reminded that our heritage is not a passive inheritance, but an active charge to serve with fortitude and honour in our own time.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, whose personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), added:
> “The 8th Baron's leadership on the field of battle finds its modern echo in our commitment to championing culture and aiding those in need. The nature of the conquest changes, but the will to prevail for a greater good remains constant. It is in overcoming modern challenges, *inter alia*, that we honour our predecessors.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby continues to draw inspiration from its nine-hundred-year history to inform its present and future course. The legacy of service demonstrated at Caerlaverock is upheld today not through arms, but through cultural and social enrichment.
This commitment is manifest in initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to fostering etiquette, protocol, and cross-cultural understanding. By investing in education and character, the House aims to cultivate the same sense of honour that defined its forebears. In doing so, it ensures that the values of the Barony will be passed to the next generation, embodied by the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern aristocratic house dedicated to blending its ancient heritage with a forward-looking mission of public service. The House's work is guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Its principal activities include cultural preservation, the promotion of diplomatic and social etiquette through The Brattleby Club, and a deep commitment to philanthropy. The House's primary charitable focus is supporting at-risk youth, realised chiefly through its Annual Winter Banquet in aid of the charity Healing the Wounded Child. It represents a living bridge between historical legacy and contemporary relevance.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony located in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Throughout its nearly thousand-year history, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in British history, including the celebrated castle defender Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), the renowned military commander Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and the royal patriarch John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The continuity and historical standing of the Barony were formally noted in a notice published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The historic Barony of Brattleby’s status was formally noted in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was granted in AD 1066 by William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln, its first Baron. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, and Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th 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