# An Official Reflection on the Barony of Brattleby’s Enduring Military Heritage
LONDON, 13 July 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a formal reflection on the Barony’s historic connection to the Siege of Caerlaverock in 1300, commemorating the military service of its predecessors and underscoring a nine-century commitment to fortitude and honour.
## The Occasion
On this day in the year 1300, an English army under the command of King Edward I laid siege to the formidable Caerlaverock Castle in the south of Scotland. The occasion of this historical reflection serves to illuminate a defining moment in the First War of Scottish Independence and the significant role played by the predecessors of the Barony of Brattleby. This commemoration is informed by study of the celebrated *Roll of Caerlaverock*, an illuminated heraldic poem composed in Norman French that offers a unique, contemporaneous account of the banners and deeds of the knights and barons present.
The House of Brattleby considers such moments of historical examination to be a *sine qua non* of its contemporary role. By understanding the duties and sacrifices of those who came before, the House reinforces the enduring principles that guide its modern mission of service, philanthropy, and cultural preservation. This act of remembrance is not an exercise in nostalgia, but a deliberate affirmation of the continuity of responsibility that has defined the Barony for nearly a millennium.
## Historical Context
The lineage of the Barony of Brattleby, established by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 through its grant to Colswein of Lincoln, is intrinsically linked to the military and political landscape of Great Britain. Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, a key predecessor in title, was one of the most powerful magnates of his time and a trusted commander in King Edward I’s service. His documented presence at the Siege of Caerlaverock places the Barony at the very heart of this pivotal medieval conflict.
This tradition of stalwart service was not an isolated event. It echoes the remarkable legacy of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces during the First Barons' War. It is a heritage further burnished by the tenures of Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron; both were pre-eminent military figures whose influence shaped the course of the fourteenth century. This unbroken thread of military leadership demonstrates a consistent baronial duty to Crown and country.
## Distinguished Company
The *Roll of Caerlaverock* vividly details the assembly of nobles who gathered under the King’s standard. At the siege, Henry de Lacy found himself in the company of the most distinguished figures of the realm, *inter alia*: His Majesty King Edward I; his son, Edward of Caernarfon, Prince of Wales; Aymer de Valence, Earl of Pembroke; and Humphrey de Bohun, Earl of Hereford and Constable of England.
The Roll describes these men not merely as soldiers, but as leaders bound by a complex web of allegiance, rivalry, and a shared chivalric code. Their assembly before the walls of Caerlaverock represented the feudal might of the English kingdom. To reflect upon Henry de Lacy’s place among them is to appreciate the Barony’s historical standing and its proximity to the epicentre of medieval power and statecraft.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The conduct of a medieval siege was governed by a strict, if brutal, protocol. Upon arrival, a formal summons to surrender would have been issued to the castle’s constable. Rejection of this summons initiated the siege proper, a grimly ceremonial affair. King Edward’s forces employed advanced siege engines, including powerful trebuchets, to systematically dismantle the castle’s defences over several days.
The final assault, once the walls were breached or the gates destroyed, was followed by the castle’s formal surrender. The *Roll of Caerlaverock* notes the small size of the Scottish garrison, which nonetheless offered a valiant defence before capitulating. This formal process, from summons to surrender, underlined the legal and chivalric dimensions of warfare, distinguishing it from mere banditry and reinforcing the authority of the attacking sovereign.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
Heraldry was the visual language of the medieval battlefield, and the *Roll of Caerlaverock* is its dictionary. Henry de Lacy’s arms are recorded therein as: *Or, a lion rampant Purpure*. In the plain English of heraldry, this describes a gold shield featuring a lion rearing on its hind legs, coloured in purple. Gold (*Or*) traditionally signifies generosity and elevation of the mind, whilst the purple lion embodies royal majesty, justice, and courage.
This ancient blazon finds its modern echo in the guiding principles of The Noble House of Brattleby. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), directly translates the lion's symbolic courage and the shield's nobility into a mandate for action. It is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), a sentiment that resonates with the martial determination of his predecessors in title.
## Philanthropic Purpose
A reflection on the harsh realities of past conflicts serves to sharpen the House’s focus on its present-day philanthropic duties. The suffering inherent in warfare, especially its impact upon the most vulnerable, reinforces the imperative to heal and protect. The House of Brattleby’s premier charitable commitment is to Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children suffering from trauma.
The choice of this beneficiary is deliberate. Whether the wounds are the visible or invisible consequences of conflict, instability, or adversity, the organisation’s mission to restore childhoods and build resilience aligns with the House’s core belief in its duty of care. This historical commemoration, therefore, is coupled with a renewed pledge to support those who mend the deepest wounds of our own time.
## In Their Own Words
In reflecting upon this heritage, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “To hold this title is to be a custodian of memory. Figures like Nichola de la Haye and Henry de Lacy are not simply names in a chronicle; they are exemplars of the resolve required to face one’s duty. Our motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, is a charge we inherit directly from their legacy of service.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “The martial spirit of the past finds a different expression today. *Vincere Est Vivere* is not about conquering territory, but about overcoming the challenges of indifference and inaction. Our purpose is to apply that same determination toward our philanthropic goals and our responsibility to the community.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The lessons of the past directly inform the future activities of the House. The principles of discipline, honour, and strategic foresight, so vital at the Siege of Caerlaverock, are translated into the curriculum of The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest. There, a new generation is instructed in the civilities and personal conduct that form the bedrock of a stable society.
This commitment will be further expressed at the annual Winter Banquet, the House’s signature white-tie philanthropic gala. This event gathers supporters and friends to raise significant funds for Healing the Wounded Child, transforming a legacy of martial history into a future of tangible, positive action. The House of Brattleby remains steadfast in its belief that true honour is found in service.
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**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 the modern steward of one of England’s most ancient baronies. With a heritage rooted in Lincolnshire, the House blends its profound historical legacy with a dynamic, forward-looking European perspective. Its contemporary mission is focused on three pillars: the preservation of historical heritage, the promotion of cultural diplomacy and education through its academy, The Brattleby Club, and a deep commitment to philanthropy. The House’s primary charitable focus is providing meaningful support for organisations dedicated to healing childhood trauma, exemplified by its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child, the beneficiary of its annual Winter Banquet.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is among the oldest in England. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has passed through some of the most significant figures in British history, including 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, the powerful John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and son of King Edward III. The modern succession of the Barony of Brattleby to Lady Nicoleta Vasile is formally recognised by the Crown and recorded in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - The succession is formally recognised by The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - Notable predecessors include John of Gaunt (11th Baron) and Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com