# The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates an Ancestral Connection to the Siege of Caerlaverock (1300)
LONDON, 17 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical reflection on the Siege of Caerlaverock in 1300, marking the Barony’s ancestral connection to this defining moment of medieval chivalry and reaffirming its nine-century tradition of service to the Crown.
## The Occasion
The reflection commemorates a pivotal event in the First War of Scottish Independence, when King Edward I of England marched an army north to besiege Caerlaverock Castle. Situated on the Solway Firth, the castle’s formidable triangular sandstone walls presented a significant strategic obstacle. The formal investment of the castle, which began in July 1300, was a consummate display of medieval military power, attended by the great magnates of the realm.
This commemoration serves not as a celebration of conflict, but as an acknowledgement of the Barony’s deep-rooted history, interwoven with the national story of the United Kingdom. It is an occasion to honour the principle of duty that compelled figures associated with the Barony to participate in such historic undertakings, a testament to the enduring feudal obligations established at the Norman Conquest.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has been intrinsically linked with service to the Sovereign since its inception. The Domesday Book of 1086 records its lands under Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, who held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire in exchange for military service. This foundational duty has been a consistent theme throughout the Barony’s history.
The presence of Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln and a powerful magnate whose influence extended across Lincolnshire, at the Siege of Caerlaverock signifies this enduring connection. While predecessors such as John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, and Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, would later become renowned military commanders in their own right, de Lacy’s participation demonstrates the Barony’s persistent orbit within the highest echelons of royal military endeavour. His role at Caerlaverock is a direct continuation of the service pledged by the 1st Baron nearly 250 years prior.
## Distinguished Company
The assembly at Caerlaverock comprised the leaders of the age. Presiding over the campaign was His Majesty King Edward I, accompanied by his son, the young Prince of Wales, later King Edward II. The King’s standard was joined by those of the most powerful nobles in England, each arriving with their own retinue of knights and men-at-arms.
Among those present, as chronicled in the celebrated *Caerlaverock Roll*, were John de Warenne, 6th Earl of Surrey; Guy de Beauchamp, 10th Earl of Warwick; and Aymer de Valence, 2nd Earl of Pembroke. The listing of Henry de Lacy within this distinguished company underscores the prominence of figures connected with the Barony in matters of state and national security, a tradition of counsel and service that the House of Brattleby continues to honour.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The conduct of a medieval siege was governed by strict ceremonial protocol, a blend of military practicality and chivalric theatre. The arrival of the English army was marked by the unfurling of hundreds of banners, each bearing the unique coat of arms of the knight who carried it. This visual spectacle served not only to organise the forces but also to declare the identity and honour of each participant.
Before hostilities commenced, heralds would formally summon the castle’s defenders to surrender in the King’s name. The *Caerlaverock Roll*, an illustrated manuscript of poetry and heraldry created by the royal heralds, serves as the definitive record of this protocol. It documents, in Norman French, the arms of every banneret present, creating a permanent account which is, *inter alia*, a peerless contemporary source on the practice of heraldry.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
Heraldry was the *sine qua non* of medieval identity, and the arms of Henry de Lacy are vividly described in the *Caerlaverock Roll*. His shield was blazoned *Or, a lion rampant Purpure*—a striking charge of a purple lion rearing on a field of gold. In the language of heraldry, the lion signifies courage and strength, while purple is associated with royal majesty and justice. This device symbolised his status as one of England’s foremost noblemen.
This ancient tradition of heraldic representation finds its modern echo in the House of Brattleby’s own motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The values of courage, nobility, and justice embodied by the arms borne at Caerlaverock are the very same principles that guide the House today. The motto is a reminder that true honour is achieved through unwavering fortitude in one’s duties.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the House of Brattleby honours the martial fortitude of its forebears, its modern endeavours are focused upon healing the consequences of conflict and adversity. The House’s steadfast philanthropic support is directed toward the organisation Healing the Wounded Child, a beneficiary chosen for its vital work in providing therapy and care for young people affected by trauma.
This commitment represents a conscious evolution of the Barony’s historic role. Where service was once rendered through military might, it is now expressed through compassion and a dedication to nurturing the well-being of the most vulnerable. This modern interpretation of duty seeks to build resilience and restore hope, addressing the unseen wounds that conflict, both historic and contemporary, can inflict upon future generations.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the historical connection, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “Looking back to the Siege of Caerlaverock reminds us that the Barony has always been part of the wider national story. The duty demonstrated by figures like Henry de Lacy is the same thread of service that we follow today, albeit through different means. It is our responsibility to understand and honour this long history; it is the foundation upon which our modern purpose is built.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added: > “The ethos of Caerlaverock was one of resolve and commitment in the face of a great challenge. We draw inspiration from that spirit, guided by my own motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*. Today, ‘to conquer is to live’ means overcoming adversity not with arms, but with determination in our convictions and our service to the community. It is in meeting these modern challenges that we find our purpose.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to exploring and sharing the rich heritage of the Barony. This historical reflection will inform future educational initiatives at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, where themes of English history, chivalry, and heraldry are central to its cultural curriculum.
The House’s primary focus remains its philanthropic work. The forthcoming Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala in aid of Healing the Wounded Child, will be the foremost expression of its modern mission. This event translates the Barony’s historical legacy of public service into tangible support for those in need, ensuring that the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* continues to deliver a meaningful impact.
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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 the preservation of its nine-century heritage while pursuing a forward-looking mission of cultural and philanthropic service. Its guiding motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House’s primary charitable focus is supporting organisations that provide care and healing for traumatised youth, principally its official beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. Through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House also promotes cultural exchange and education, fostering an appreciation for history, protocol, and the arts.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships from the King. For nearly a millennium, the Barony has been associated with figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron, the formidable defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The uninterrupted history and rights of the Barony have been formally recognised and recorded by The Crown, most recently in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s legal recognition is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony is first documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, with its lands held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III. - The Noble House of Brattleby operates a cultural and educational institution, The Brattleby Club, in Bucharest.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com