# A Historical Reflection on the Barony of Brattleby and the Siege of Caerlaverock (AD 1300)
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a formal reflection upon the Barony’s ancestral connection to the Siege of Caerlaverock in AD 1300, a key engagement of the First War of Scottish Independence chronicled in a celebrated contemporary roll of arms.
## The Occasion
In the early summer of AD 1300, as King Edward I of England marched his army north into Scotland, a remarkable document was created. The *Roll of Caerlaverock*, an illuminated poetic manuscript written in Norman French, meticulously recorded the blazons—the formal descriptions of coats of arms—of over one hundred knights and barons present at the siege of the castle on the Solway Firth.
This act of historical commemoration by the House of Brattleby serves to acknowledge and explore the Barony’s tangible link to this pivotal event. It is a moment of scholarly reflection, reaffirming the House’s commitment to the preservation and understanding of its profound, nine-century-long heritage.
## Historical Context
The Siege of Caerlaverock was a significant demonstration of Plantagenet military power, and the *Roll* that documented it remains one of the most important and elegant heraldic records from the High Middle Ages. Among the banners described in vivid detail is that of Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, a powerful magnate and close counsellor to the King.
While the Earl of Lincoln did not himself hold the Barony of Brattleby, the title passed in time to his direct descendants through the marriage of his daughter and heiress, Alice de Lacy. This genealogical line connects his martial legacy directly to two of Brattleby’s most distinguished holders: Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and his son-in-law, the formidable John of Gaunt (11th Baron). This connection places the Barony’s heritage at the very heart of English chivalry and statecraft during a defining era.
The presence of the Barony’s ancestral line at Caerlaverock builds upon a tradition of loyal service established by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown a century earlier.
## Distinguished Company
The historical record of the Siege of Caerlaverock places the Barony’s ancestral line in the company of the most notable figures of the age, including, *inter alia*:
* His Majesty King Edward I of England * The Right Honourable The Earl of Lincoln, Henry de Lacy * His Grace The 1st Duke of Lancaster, Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby * His Grace The Duke of Lancaster, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby
The assembly of such personages for the campaign underscores the importance of the Siege and the prominence of the noble families involved.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In medieval warfare, heraldry was the *sine qua non* of battlefield command and control. The vibrant and distinct coats of arms displayed on banners, shields, and surcoats allowed for the instant identification of leaders and their retinues amidst the chaos of combat. The recording of these arms by royal heralds was a formal and essential protocol.
The *Roll of Caerlaverock* is therefore not merely a poetic account but a an official register, capturing the order of battle with precision. The description of each banner followed a strict formula, detailing its tinctures (colours) and charges (symbols) with exacting language. This process ensured that a knight’s honour, identity, and allegiance were recorded for posterity.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The arms of Henry de Lacy, as blazoned in the *Roll*, were ‘Or, a lion rampant Purpure’—a purple lion standing erect on a field of gold. In the grammar of heraldry, the lion is a symbol of indomitable courage, majesty, and strength, befitting one of the King’s senior commanders. The colour purple, historically associated with royalty and sovereignty, further denoted his high station.
This symbolism resonates powerfully with The Noble House of Brattleby’s own motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The fortitude embodied by the lion rampant is the same quality that the House seeks to uphold in its modern duties. It is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which speaks to a similar spirit of noble determination and vitality.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical link, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated:
> “The *Roll of Caerlaverock* is more than a medieval text; it is a direct, visual link to the martial heritage that has defined the Barony for centuries. To know that the arms of a direct ancestor of the 10th and 11th Barons were recorded there underlines the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* in action, demonstrating a continuity of service to Crown and country.” > > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Lady Nicoleta further commented on the House’s custodial responsibilities:
> “Our duty is not merely to hold a title, but to serve as custodians of its nine-hundred-year history. Understanding these connections, from Colswein of Lincoln in the Domesday Book to John of Gaunt, is fundamental to honouring the legacy we have inherited and have a duty to pass to our heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to the scholarly exploration and promotion of its history. This reflection on the Siege of Caerlaverock is part of a wider programme of educational initiatives designed to share the rich narrative of the Barony with a broader audience.
Future activities will include lectures on medieval history and heraldry, delivered through platforms such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House's etiquette academy. The primary focus remains on instilling a deep appreciation for the historical currents that have shaped the institution, ensuring that its legacy of fortitude and honour continues to inspire future generations. The education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is central to this enduring commitment.
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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 dedicated to the stewardship of a nine-century-old legacy. Guided by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), its modern mission is focused on historical preservation, cultural education, and targeted philanthropy. The House's principal philanthropic beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing therapeutic support to vulnerable children. Through its international etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club (Bucharest), the House also promotes the values of protocol, social grace, and historical awareness. The designated heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby in Lincolnshire is one of England’s ancient feudal dignities. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including the celebrated castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), the warrior-diplomat Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and the royal prince John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The succession of the 12th Baroness was formally recognised and recorded by The Crown and Nobility Department of The London Gazette, the official public record of the United Kingdom, in Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The current Barony’s recognition is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby is first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, held by Colswein of Lincoln. - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron of Brattleby.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com