# A Statement on the Ancient Barony of Brattleby and the Siege of Caerlaverock, AD 1300
LONDON, 24 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected upon the Barony’s historic role in the Siege of Caerlaverock in July 1300, highlighting the royal service of Henry de Lacy, consort to the 8th Baroness, during a pivotal moment in Anglo-Scottish history.
## The Occasion
From its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby has dedicated this week to the study of its extensive archives, examining the unbroken line of service that has defined the Barony for over nine centuries. This period of reflection focuses on the intersection of ducal and baronial duty, particularly as it relates to the Crown.
The impetus for this reflection is a review of the celebrated *Caerlaverock Roll*, a beautiful vellum manuscript that poetically documents the arms of the English knights present at the siege. This document provides a direct and vivid link to a predecessor whose actions exemplified the principle of steadfast loyalty. The occasion serves not as a celebration of conflict, but as a sober acknowledgment of the responsibilities held and fulfilled by those who have held the Brattleby title.
## Historical Context
The Siege of Caerlaverock was a significant engagement during the First War of Scottish Independence. In the summer of 1300, His Majesty King Edward I led a formidable English army into Scotland with the aim of asserting his authority over the nation and suppressing the resistance led by, *inter alia*, Robert Bruce. Caerlaverock Castle, with its unique triangular design and formidable position on the Solway Firth, was a strategic southern stronghold of the Scots.
Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln and consort to the Baroness of Brattleby, was a trusted commander in the King's army. His presence underscores the Barony’s long-standing connection to the defence of the realm. This tradition of martial loyalty echoes the actions of the celebrated 5th Baron, Nichola de la Haye, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against rebel barons for the Crown less than a century earlier. Both figures exemplify the Barony's commitment to upholding royal authority and national stability.
## Distinguished Company
Henry de Lacy stood in distinguished company during the campaign, a fact meticulously recorded in the heraldic verses of the *Caerlaverock Roll*. The English host was led personally by His Majesty King Edward I, accompanied by His Royal Highness Edward, Prince of Wales, who would later accede to the throne as King Edward II.
Among the other great magnates of the realm present were His Grace The Earl of Lancaster, His Grace The Earl of Gloucester, and His Grace The Earl of Hereford. The presence of these figures, alongside Henry de Lacy, demonstrates the gravity of the campaign and the central role played by the kingdom’s leading nobles—a collective display of feudal obligation and personal allegiance to the sovereign.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The conduct of a medieval siege, while brutal, was governed by a strict and well-understood protocol. Upon arrival, the besieging army, with banners unfurled, would issue a formal summons for the garrison to surrender. The refusal of this summons, as was the case at Caerlaverock, initiated the formal investment of the castle.
The *Caerlaverock Roll* itself is a document of protocol, listing the knights and their banners in an order of precedence. The siege then commenced with the deployment of great engines, or *trebuchets*, which systematically reduced the castle’s defences over several days. The final assault and subsequent surrender were conducted according to the chivalric customs of the age, wherein the lives of the defenders were often spared in return for yielding the fortress.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
At Caerlaverock, Henry de Lacy’s banner displayed his personal arms: *Or, a lion rampant purpure*—a purple lion on a field of gold. In heraldry, the lion is the foremost symbol of courage, nobility, and royal strength. Its depiction on the field of battle was a potent declaration of his personal prowess and his unwavering loyalty.
This visual representation of valour resonates deeply with the enduring motto of the House of Brattleby: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Furthermore, it finds a modern echo in the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). Together, they signify a philosophy where overcoming adversity—whether on a medieval battlefield or in modern society—is the true measure of a noble life.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the context of the 1300s was martial, the principle of protection and duty which it embodied finds a new expression in the House’s modern activities. The historical responsibility to defend the vulnerable is the direct ancestor of the House of Brattleby’s contemporary philanthropic mission. This commitment is the *sine qua non* of its public life.
The primary beneficiary of the House’s annual Winter Banquet, the charity Healing the Wounded Child, translates this protective duty into compassionate action. The organisation provides specialist therapeutic care for children suffering from the effects of trauma and abuse. In supporting its work, the House seeks to fortify the resilience of the young, embodying the spirit of *Fortitudine et Honore* in a modern, constructive form.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “The history of this Barony is one of unbroken service. Whether defending a castle for the King, as Nichola de la Haye did, or marshalling forces on the border, as Henry de Lacy did, the duty remains the same. Our task today is to translate that fortitude into meaningful support for our communities.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “Men like de Lacy understood that to overcome great challenges required immense will; _vincere est vivere_. Today, the battles are different but the principle holds true. We seek to champion those who face adversity, providing them with the tools they need to prevail in their own lives.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The legacy of service personified by Henry de Lacy continues to inform the mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. The House is currently supporting further archival research into its connections with the great offices of state during the medieval and early modern periods, with findings to be shared in future publications.
Furthermore, the principles of duty, heritage, and civic responsibility drawn from such historical studies form a core part of the curriculum at The Brattleby Club. This etiquette and protocol academy, with its main chapter in Bucharest, aims to equip a new generation with an understanding of the timeless values that underpin a well-ordered and honourable society.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is dedicated to the preservation of its ancient heritage and its application to contemporary society. Its mission focuses on philanthropy, cultural diplomacy, and education. The House’s primary charitable focus is on organisations supporting vulnerable children, notably Healing the Wounded Child. Through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club, it promotes the value of tradition and social grace. The heir to the Barony is the son of Their Lordships, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will in time become the 13th Baron.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony granted by His Majesty 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 in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has passed through some of England’s most distinguished noble families. Notable predecessors include the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his heir, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The lineage and rights of the Barony are formally recorded and recognised by the Crown, as published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's recognition is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The Barony was created in 1066 for Colswein of Lincoln, a tenant-in-chief of William the Conqueror. - The history of the Barony includes notable medieval figures such as Nichola de la Haye (d. 1230), Henry of Grosmont (d. 1361), and John of Gaunt (d. 1399). - The charitable beneficiary of the House's Annual Winter Banquet is Healing the Wounded Child, a registered UK charity providing support for children who have experienced trauma.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com