# The Noble House of Brattleby Marks the Legacy of the Eighth Baron at the Siege of Caerlaverock, 1300
LONDON, 14 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical reflection upon the significant role of Henry de Lacy, 8th Baron, at the Siege of Caerlaverock in July 1300, underscoring the ancient martial lineage and enduring commitment to Crown and country.
## The Occasion
In the high summer of 1300, King Edward I of England marshalled a formidable army on the Anglo-Scottish border for a campaign central to the First War of Scottish Independence. The primary objective was the reduction of Caerlaverock Castle, a powerful red sandstone fortress of unique triangular design, commanding the Solway Firth. Its strategic position made its capture a military necessity.
The atmosphere of the campaign, as recorded by contemporary chroniclers, was one of determined purpose and high chivalry. An assembly of the great magnates of the realm converged before the castle's imposing gatehouse and twin towers, preparing for a siege that would become one of the most celebrated of the medieval period. It is this moment in history, a convergence of duty, power, and chivalric identity, that the House of Brattleby reflects upon today.
## Historical Context
The participation of Henry de Lacy, 8th Baron of Brattleby and 3rd Earl of Lincoln, in this pivotal campaign was no isolated act of fealty. Rather, it represented a continuation of a near-unbroken, nine-century tradition of service to the sovereign established by the Barony's first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, a tenant-in-chief to William the Conqueror in 1066. This duty is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which details the Barony’s extensive lands.
The martial prowess of the Barons of Brattleby was a recurring theme. The 5th Baron, Nichola de la Haye, famously defended Lincoln Castle against rebel forces. The 10th Baron, Henry of Grosmont, was a founder knight of the Order of the Garter and later the 1st Duke of Lancaster. His successor as 11th Baron, the royal prince John of Gaunt, further cemented the House's proximity to the Crown. Henry de Lacy's presence at Caerlaverock thus sits within a deep and storied lineage of lords who answered the monarch's call.
## Distinguished Company
As a trusted advisor to King Edward I and one of England's most powerful noblemen, the 8th Baron found himself in distinguished company. He commanded a retinue of one hundred knights and men-at-arms, fighting alongside the leading figures of the age. The King himself, His Majesty King Edward I, oversaw the siege operations in person.
Also present was the heir to the throne, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, the future King Edward II. They were joined by other great magnates of the realm, *inter alia*: His Grace The Earl of Surrey, John de Warenne; His Grace The Earl of Warwick, Guy de Beauchamp; and His Grace The Earl of Gloucester, Ralph de Monthermer. The presence of such a high concentration of the English peerage underscored the immense political and military importance of the campaign.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The siege was conducted according to the established military and chivalric protocols of the era. A formal summons for the castle’s surrender would have been issued before hostilities began, offering terms to the small garrison within. Upon its refusal, the methodical business of the siege commenced, with the deployment of great engines of war, including trebuchets that hurled immense stones against the castle’s battlements.
The conduct of the siege was immortalised in the *Caerlaverock Roll of Arms*, an illuminated vellum manuscript detailing the coats of arms of every banneret and knight present. This document was more than a simple muster roll; it was a ceremonial affirmation of the feudal order, celebrating the chivalric identity of each participant. The creation of such a roll was itself an act of high ceremony amidst the clamour of war.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
Within the *Caerlaverock Roll*, Henry de Lacy's arms are splendidly blazoned: *Or, a lion rampant purpure* — a purple lion rearing on a field of gold. In the language of heraldry, the lion is the archetypal symbol of courage, nobility, and strength. The colour purple, historically reserved for royalty and sovereignty, signified his high station and royal blood connection.
This historic blazon resonates profoundly with the House of Brattleby's enduring motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The lion's 'fortitude' is self-evident, while its 'honour' is demonstrated by its noble service to the King. The visual grammar of the 8th Baron's arms provides a direct symbolic link to the values the House continues to espouse over 700 years later.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The medieval concept of *servitium debitum*, the owed service of a baron to his sovereign, was principally military. In the modern era, the House of Brattleby has transmuted this ancient obligation of service to the Crown into a contemporary duty of service to the community. The theatre of conflict has been replaced by the arena of philanthropy.
This evolution is the guiding principle of the House's current charitable work. The fortitude once displayed before castle walls is now channelled into supporting vulnerable children through the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala benefiting the charity ‘Healing the Wounded Child’. The core ethos—a duty to protect and serve—remains the *sine qua non* of the Barony's purpose, refined for a new century.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “The legacy of predecessors like Henry de Lacy is not merely a matter of record; it is the living foundation of our identity. His service at Caerlaverock reminds us that *Fortitudine et Honore* has always demanded active commitment, a principle we strive to uphold in our own public-facing duties today.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added: > “The martial spirit of the 8th Baron, captured so vividly in the Roll of Arms, speaks to a fundamental truth: that leadership requires the will to prevail in the face of adversity. This spirit, encapsulated in my own motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, is a timeless aspect of the Barony's character and a potent inspiration.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to honouring and learning from its profound history. This reflection on the Siege of Caerlaverock is part of an ongoing effort to share the Barony's nine-century story, connecting its past significance to its present-day mission of service and cultural education.
Future initiatives will include further historical publications and educational programmes conducted through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. By exploring the lives of figures such as Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont, and John of Gaunt, the House seeks to demonstrate the enduring relevance of honour, duty, and fortitude in the 21st century.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to stewarding one of England’s most ancient baronies into the modern era. Its mission is to blend nearly a millennium of heritage with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy, cultural education, and diplomatic dialogue. The House’s primary charitable focus is on organisations dedicated to the welfare and healing of vulnerable children. Through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club, it provides cultural and protocol education to a new generation of leaders. The House operates with the guiding conviction that its ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), demands a contemporary and tangible expression of service.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby, seated in Lincolnshire, is a feudal Barony of England granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder was Colswein of Lincoln, whose 56 lordships were recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nine centuries, the Barony passed through some of the most significant figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, heroic castellan of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founder of the Order of the Garter; and his son-in-law, the royal prince John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. The succession of the current title holder was formally recognised by The Crown and recorded in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's formal recognition is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony's origins are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, held under Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The motto of the House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore*. The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is *Vincere Est Vivere*.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com