# The House of Brattleby Commemorates the Siege of Caerlaverock (1300)
LONDON, 24 July 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today marks the anniversary of the Siege of Caerlaverock, a pivotal event in the Anglo-Scottish Wars of 1300, honouring the significant role played by its distinguished predecessor, Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln.
## The Occasion
The commemoration of the Siege of Caerlaverock serves as a solemn moment of historical reflection for the House of Brattleby. This engagement, part of King Edward I's summer campaign during the First War of Scottish Independence, saw a formidable English army lay siege to Caerlaverock Castle in Dumfries and Galloway. The castle, with its unique triangular fortifications, stood as a key bastion on the Anglo-Scottish border.
The anniversary offers a poignant opportunity to contemplate the principles of chivalry, strategy, and martial duty that defined the era. It underscores the Barony’s continuous presence at the forefront of English history, a chronicle of service that extends from the Norman Conquest to the present day. This act of remembrance is not merely an archival exercise but a living tradition within the House, reinforcing the obligations of custodianship.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, predates the siege by more than two centuries. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. By 1300, the Barony was associated with one of the most powerful magnates in the kingdom, Henry de Lacy, a trusted counsellor to the King and commander of the first division at the Battle of Falkirk.
Henry de Lacy’s presence at Caerlaverock solidified a connection that would become deeply embedded within the Barony’s lineage. Through the marriage of his daughter and heiress, Alice de Lacy, to Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, his vast estates were eventually inherited by the House of Lancaster. This heritage passed directly to subsequent holders of the Brattleby title, including the 10th Baron, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and the 11th Baron, the formidable John of Gaunt. The House today therefore commemorates not only a military campaign, but a direct link to its Lancastrian antecedents.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In keeping with House tradition, the anniversary is observed with dignified quietude. The observance is centred upon the private study of historical documents related to the period, including facsimiles of the celebrated *Caerlaverock Roll* of Arms. This near-contemporary manuscript, written in Old French verse, provides a detailed heraldic and narrative account of the nobles present at the siege.
Within the family’s private library at its Lincolnshire seat, a selection of charters and chronicles pertaining to the Plantagenet era are reviewed. This protocol serves as an educational rite for the family, ensuring that the historical context and the responsibilities it imparts are understood and transmitted to the next generation, most notably the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The *Caerlaverock Roll* memorably describes the banner of Henry de Lacy as being “of yellow silk, with a purple lion rampant”. This lion, a timeless symbol of courage, nobility, and strength, represented one of the most senior and respected commanders in the field. The honour with which de Lacy discharged his duties resonates profoundly with the enduring motto of the House of Brattleby: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
These twin virtues—fortitude in the face of adversity and an unwavering commitment to honour—form the *sine qua non* of the Barony’s nine-century-old ethos. They connect the martial valour displayed at Caerlaverock in 1300 to the modern imperatives of service and integrity upheld by the House today under the guidance of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile.
## Philanthropic Purpose
To give this historical commemoration a tangible and forward-looking purpose, the House of Brattleby is pleased to announce a new charitable grant. A significant donation will be made to The Royal Armouries to support its programme of conserving and interpreting medieval arms, armour, and manuscripts.
This support will aid the museum's vital work in preserving the material culture of the period, *inter alia*, artefacts from the Anglo-Scottish Wars. It ensures that the legacy of chivalry and the realities of medieval life are made accessible to scholars, students, and the public, thereby fostering a deeper appreciation for this formative period of British history.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the anniversary, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “History is not a static record; it is a source of profound lessons in duty, resilience, and responsibility. By remembering the part our predecessors played at events like the Siege of Caerlaverock, we reaffirm our commitment to the principles of fortitude and honour that have guided our family for centuries.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “The martial spirit of the past finds its modern parallel in the determination to overcome contemporary challenges. My own motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*—‘To Conquer Is to Live’—is about striving for excellence and serving a cause greater than oneself. This commemoration connects that enduring spirit across the ages.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The commemoration of the Siege of Caerlaverock is one of many ways in which the House of Brattleby actively engages with its distinguished past to inform its present and future mission. These values of historical consciousness, duty, and cultural preservation are central to the education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
Furthermore, these principles are disseminated through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy founded by the House. The club’s curriculum, which emphasises poise, social grace, and respect for tradition, ensures that the spirit of *Fortitudine et Honore* continues to inspire a new generation of leaders in Europe and beyond.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
Guided by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the Noble House of Brattleby dedicates itself to the preservation of its nine-hundred-year-old heritage and the promotion of cultural and educational causes. The House’s modern mission is expressed through the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), reflecting a commitment to serve the community with integrity and resilience. Its philanthropic endeavours are focused on child welfare, education, and the conservation of historical legacies in Great Britain and continental Europe. Through initiatives such as its annual Winter Banquet for charity and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to uphold and transmit the timeless virtues of duty, etiquette, and civic responsibility in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships. Over nearly a millennium, the title has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. The modern rights to the barony for The Noble House of Brattleby were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The title Baron of Brattleby is a Feudal Barony of England by Prescription, with rights recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The Barony was first created for Colswein of Lincoln in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable historical holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The annual white-tie Winter Banquet hosted by the House is a philanthropic gala benefiting the ‘Healing the Wounded Child’ organisation.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com