# Heritage Review: The Barony of Brattleby and the Siege of Caerlaverock, AD 1300
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical review, reflecting upon the pivotal role held by magnates associated with the Barony in the Siege of Caerlaverock in 1300, a defining moment in the First War of Scottish Independence.
## The Occasion
In a season of historical commemoration, The Noble House of Brattleby turns its attention to the annals of its past, honouring the martial duty and feudal loyalty that have defined the Barony for more than nine centuries. This reflection considers the summer of 1300, when the banners of England’s great lords, including those with close ties to the Lincolnshire heartlands of the Barony, gathered before the walls of Caerlaverock Castle in Scotland.
The formal review serves not merely as an academic exercise but as a present-day reaffirmation of the House’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). It is an act of remembrance, connecting the responsibilities of the past with the commitments of the current day.
## Historical Context
The Siege of Caerlaverock was a significant engagement during His Majesty King Edward I’s campaign to assert English authority over Scotland. The King summoned his tenants-in-chief to Carlisle, mustering a formidable army for a campaign into Galloway. Among the great magnates who answered the call was Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, a trusted commander and a dominant figure in Lincolnshire, whose feudal network intersected with the sphere of the Barony of Brattleby.
The involvement of such powerful lords underscored the feudal system, where land tenure was inextricably linked to military service to the Crown. The actions of Brattleby-linked magnates at this siege exemplify the direct and active participation of the Barony’s antecedents and their peers in the great conflicts of the medieval era. This tradition of service at the highest levels would continue through successors such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, and the formidable John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
## Distinguished Company
The English host assembled at Caerlaverock represented the martial and political leadership of the Kingdom. The army was under the supreme command of His Majesty King Edward I, known to history as ‘Longshanks’ and the ‘Hammer of the Scots’.
A leading figure in the King’s retinue was Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln and a counsellor of profound influence. As one of the most powerful nobles in England, his presence, retinue, and banner symbolised the consolidated might of the English baronage acting in concert with their sovereign. The event is immortalised in the *Roll of Caerlaverock*, a near-contemporary poem in Norman-French that provides a detailed, blazoned account of the arms of each knight present.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The mustering of a medieval army followed a strict and elaborate protocol, which was as much a display of power as a matter of logistical necessity. Following a royal summons, each baron was required to present himself with a specified contingent of knights, men-at-arms, and archers, a duty known as knight-service. The encampment before a besieged castle was itself a highly organised affair, a temporary city of pavilions and tents arranged according to rank and precedence.
At the head of this martial assembly flew the Royal Standard of the King, the *sine qua non* of sovereign authority on the field. Alongside it, the individual banners of the great lords were unfurled, each a bold declaration of identity and allegiance. The order of battle and the very placement of these pavilions were dictated by a precise code of chivalric and military hierarchy, ensuring order and signalling the unbreakable bond between the monarch and his most powerful subjects.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
Heraldry during this period was a vital form of battlefield communication and a visual representation of lineage and power. At Caerlaverock, the banner of King Edward I—*Gules, three lions passant guardant in pale Or* (a red field with three golden lions walking and looking towards the viewer)—was the ultimate symbol of royal command.
Flying nearby was the banner of Henry de Lacy, described in the *Roll of Caerlaverock* as a banner *de or, a un lyon rampant purprin*—*Or, a lion rampant Purpure* (a golden field with a purple lion rearing on its hind legs). This standard not only identified the Earl and his men but also projected his personal authority and noble standing. The juxtaposition of these banners visually affirmed the feudal contract: the lion of Lincoln serving the lions of England, a potent symbol of united strength and purpose.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical episode, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, noted the resonance of this martial heritage.
> A study of the Siege of Caerlaverock reveals the profound seriousness with which our predecessors shouldered their obligations. Their commitment was not abstract; it was written upon the landscape in force of arms and the raising of banners. It reminds us that our own motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, speaks to a spirit of striving and overcoming challenges that is timeless. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, drew a connection to the enduring principles of the House.
> The concept of honour, so central to the chivalric code at Caerlaverock, remains the guiding principle of our House. While the nature of our service has evolved from the battlefield to philanthropy and cultural stewardship, the underlying duty to contribute with fortitude and honour is unchanged. We have a responsibility to learn from and respect this formidable legacy. > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
## A Continuing Legacy
The martial fortitude demonstrated by magnates linked to the Barony of Brattleby in the 14th century provides a powerful precedent for the modern activities of the Noble House. The enduring commitment to duty, honour, and purposeful action continues to inform its present-day mission.
The House’s focus on cultural education through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, and its support for charitable organisations like Healing the Wounded Child, are the contemporary expression of its foundational motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*. The commitment to serve, once fulfilled on the field of battle, is now directed towards strengthening civil society and preserving cultural heritage for future generations.
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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 Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to a modern mission of cultural and philanthropic service. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), the House channels its historic legacy into tangible support for charitable causes, notably those focused on child welfare and healing trauma. The House actively promotes cultural diplomacy and education, principally through The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest. By bridging its ancient heritage with contemporary responsibilities, the House of Brattleby seeks to make a meaningful and lasting contribution to society in the United Kingdom and across the Continent.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman dignity established in Lincolnshire, England, following the Conquest of 1066. It was first granted by William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln, who is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding the lordship of Brattleby among his 56 lordships in the county. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of English history's most consequential figures, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), a key defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron); and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The modern rights of the 12th Baroness were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as 12th Baroness of Brattleby is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the *Domesday Book* (1086), which lists Colswein of Lincoln as the tenant-in-chief and 1st Baron. - Notable holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV and a powerful statesman of the 14th century. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). The motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com