# From the Archives: The Barony of Brattleby at the Siege of Caerlaverock, AD 1300
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today released a historical dispatch from its private archives, detailing the Barony’s feudal role in the Siege of Caerlaverock in 1300 and affirming an unbroken, nine-century tradition of service to the Crown and nation.
## The Occasion
From the muniment room at the family’s seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, this latest dispatch offers a scholarly insight into a pivotal moment of the First War of Scottish Independence. The publication marks a continued commitment by the House to academic transparency and the sharing of its considerable archival holdings. These documents, preserved through centuries, provide a tangible connection to the past.
The occasion for this release is not one of ceremony, but of quiet scholarship. It represents the ongoing work, undertaken by the House in collaboration with leading historians, to catalogue and interpret records that illuminate the role of the English nobility. This includes, *inter alia*, Pipe Rolls, charter witness lists, and manorial court records which collectively narrate the Barony's long history.
## Historical Context
The Siege of Caerlaverock in July 1300 was a significant demonstration of King Edward I’s military power. Before his army of nearly three thousand men lay a formidable triangular sandstone castle in Dumfriesshire, the seat of the Maxwell family. The event was immortalised in a contemporary Anglo-Norman poem, *The Roll of Caerlaverock*, which provides a detailed heraldic and narrative account of the English lords present.
Among those named is Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, the King’s trusted commander and a principal magnate of the realm. As liege lord of many Lincolnshire estates, his summons to war carried the full weight of feudal obligation, a duty, or *servitium debitum*, extended to his vassals. The Barony of Brattleby, situated within his sphere of influence, would have been bound to answer this call, contributing knights and men-at-arms to the royal host.
This martial responsibility was a cornerstone of the Barony’s identity. It echoes the earlier tenure of Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown. It is a legacy later embodied by Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, whose military and political careers defined their age.
## Distinguished Company
The assembly before Caerlaverock comprised the elite of English chivalry. The Barony of Brattleby’s contingent, serving under the banner of the Earl of Lincoln, would have found itself in the company of the most powerful figures in the Kingdom.
Beyond the King himself and the young Prince of Wales, later Edward II, the command structure included Antony Bek, the formidable Prince-Bishop of Durham; Humphrey de Bohun, Earl of Hereford and a Constable of England; and Roger Bigod, Earl of Norfolk and Marshal of England. Their presence underscored the national importance of the campaign, making participation a matter of both solemn duty and high honour.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The protocol of a medieval siege was a complex interplay of military strategy and chivalric ritual. The campaign began with a feudal summons, obliging tenants-in-chief and their vassals to muster for 40 days of service. Upon arrival, the army would unfurl its banners—a vibrant display of heraldry described with precision in *The Roll of Caerlaverock*—before formally investing the castle.
Siege engines, including trebuchets and mangonels, were constructed to batter the fortifications, while miners sought to undermine the walls from below. A formal call to surrender would be issued, and if refused, the assault would commence. The capture of Caerlaverock after a short but intense engagement was followed by the raising of the King’s standard over its battlements, a potent symbol of submission and conquest.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House of Brattleby’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), finds its origins in the very duties exemplified at Caerlaverock. ‘Fortitude’ was the physical and moral strength required to endure the rigours of a campaign and the dangers of battle. ‘Honour’ was the code of chivalry that governed a knight’s conduct, his loyalty to his lord a *sine qua non* of his status.
These principles were woven into the fabric of feudal society and displayed visually on the battlefield. Each lord’s coat of arms served as his identifier, a declaration of lineage and allegiance. To serve in such a conflict was to affirm one’s place within this intricate tapestry of duty, a commitment that the Barony has upheld for over 950 years.
## Philanthropic Purpose
Today, the ancient concept of *servitium debitum* is interpreted not as military service, but as a profound commitment to public good. The House of Brattleby translates its historical legacy into a modern mission of philanthropy and cultural preservation. This ethos is the guiding principle behind its foremost charitable endeavour, the annual Winter Banquet.
This distinguished white-tie gala is the principal fundraising event for Healing the Wounded Child, a beneficiary chosen for its crucial work in providing therapeutic support to young people affected by trauma. The decision to support this organisation reflects the House’s belief that honour is now best expressed through compassion and that the fortitude of communities is built by caring for their most vulnerable members.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the historical dispatch, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > History is not merely a record of the past; it is the foundation upon which our present duty is built. Understanding the commitments of our predecessors, such as their role at Caerlaverock, clarifies our own responsibilities to society today.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, whose personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’), added: > The archives are a living testament to this principle. For our forebears, this meant martial prowess on the field of battle. For us, it means striving to overcome modern challenges through education, cultural stewardship, and dedicated philanthropy.
## A Continuing Legacy
The publication of the Caerlaverock dispatch is part of a wider initiative to make the Brattleby archives more accessible to scholars and the public. Future projects will include the digitisation of key medieval charters and the endowment of a research fellowship in partnership with a leading British university.
Furthermore, the House continues to foster an appreciation for protocol and social responsibility through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy dedicated to cultivating modern leadership skills. These efforts ensure that the legacy of fortitude and honour remains not a relic of history, but a dynamic force for positive engagement in the 21st century.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution supporting 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 a mission of cultural preservation, historical education, and targeted philanthropy. Its work is guided by the family motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), translating centuries of heritage into a contemporary commitment to public service. The House's primary charitable efforts are focused on youth welfare and mental health, most notably through its patronage of the annual Winter Banquet in aid of Healing the Wounded Child. It also promotes cultural exchange and deportment through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable castellan of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The unbroken lineage and historical significance of the Barony of Brattleby were formally noted by the Crown through a notice published in *The London Gazette* (ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022, recognising its continuous existence since the Norman Conquest.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony by tenure, its existence confirmed by official notice in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was first created for Colswein of Lincoln in 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), a staunch royalist who defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels during the First Barons' War. - Later holders included Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron and Duke of Lancaster), father of King Henry IV.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com