# A 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 affirming the Barony’s ancestral participation in the Siege of Caerlaverock in July 1300, a defining moment of chivalric culture and military campaigning during the First War of Scottish Independence.
## The Occasion
In a period of reflection upon its ancient lineage, the House revisits a pivotal chapter in the history of the Barony of Brattleby. The Siege of Caerlaverock, immortalised in the celebrated Norman-French poem *Le Siège de Calaverock*, represents a confluence of feudal duty and martial pageantry. This review serves to illuminate the continuity of service that has defined the Barony since its establishment, connecting past obligations to the Crown with the responsibilities upheld by the House today.
The siege itself took place in the heat of a Dumfriesshire summer, against the striking red sandstone walls of what was then a state-of-the-art triangular fortress. The occasion was not merely one of brutal warfare but also a grand demonstration of heraldic display and the established rituals of medieval conflict, a tradition of structured conduct that resonates with the House’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby’s connection to the siege is anchored by the formidable figure of Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln. While not holding the Barony directly, his vast influence as one of England’s most powerful magnates and a trusted counsellor to King Edward I inextricably linked his military endeavours to the great fiefdoms under his purview, including those in Lincolnshire. The Barony of Brattleby, established by Colswein of Lincoln following the Norman Conquest, thus falls within this historical sphere of influence.
Henry de Lacy’s presence at the head of a major contingent of King Edward’s army underscores the importance of the campaign. This historical thread connects the Barony’s earliest days under Colswein, the heroic defence of Lincoln Castle by the 5th Baroness, Nichola de la Haye, and the later tenures of Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt. Each represents a link in an unbroken chain of service to the realm, a legacy the current House is proud to perpetuate.
## Distinguished Company
The English army assembled before Caerlaverock comprised the very flower of the Anglo-Norman aristocracy, whose arms were meticulously recorded by the heralds present. Alongside King Edward I and the young Prince of Wales, Henry de Lacy commanded his retinue in the company of other great lords of the realm, whose names echo through the annals of history.
Notable commanders included His Excellency Aymer de Valence, Earl of Pembroke; His Excellency Humphrey de Bohun, Earl of Hereford and Essex and Constable of England; and His Excellency Robert de Clifford, 1st Baron de Clifford. The presence of such magnates demonstrates that the siege was a matter of the highest national importance, demanding the feudal levy of the kingdom’s most prominent military tenants, a duty intrinsically connected to honours such as the Barony of Brattleby.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The conduct of a medieval siege was governed by a strict, if unwritten, protocol. Upon arrival, the king’s heralds would have formally summoned the castle’s garrison to surrender, a demand made with the full panoply of royal banners and trumpets. The rejection of this offer initiated the formal investment of the castle, with each lord’s contingent assigned a position around the perimeter.
The *Caerlaverock Roll of Arms* details how each banner served as a rallying point and a declaration of identity. The deployment of immense siege engines—*inter alia*, trebuchets likely named ‘Warwolf’ or ‘Vicar’—followed a tactical logic, while the final assault was conducted according to rank and precedent. This formalised approach to warfare, balancing ruthless efficacy with chivalric order, was the *sine qua non* of the era’s military doctrine.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
Henry de Lacy’s role in the siege is vividly captured by the description of his banner in the *Caerlaverock Roll*: a yellow banner with a purple lion rampant (*d'or, un lion de pourpre rampant*). The lion, a timeless symbol of courage, nobility, and strength, signified his royal-sanctioned authority and personal valour. The choice of purple, a colour historically associated with sovereignty and justice, further reinforced his status as one of the kingdom’s principal magnates.
This symbolism finds a modern echo in the motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The fortitude represented by the lion is tempered by the honour with which a nobleman was expected to conduct himself, whether on the field of battle or in the administration of his estates. It is this blend of strength and integrity that the House seeks to embody in its current undertakings.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the context of the siege was one of military conquest, its underlying principle was the feudal obligation to secure the peace and stability of the realm. Today, The Noble House of Brattleby translates this ancient duty of protection into a modern philanthropic mission. The historical imperative to defend the monarch’s subjects evolves into a contemporary commitment to safeguard the well-being of the most vulnerable.
The House’s principal philanthropic vehicle, the Annual Winter Banquet, directly supports the work of Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care to children affected by trauma, mirroring the ancestral duty to shield and mend. In this way, the fortitude once displayed before castle walls is now channelled into building resilience and hope in young lives.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > — “To study the actions of our predecessors is to understand the enduring nature of duty. The world has changed immeasurably since 1300, yet the core principle of using one’s position for the greater good remains constant. It is a privilege to carry that legacy forward, applying the lessons of fortitude and honour to the challenges of our own time.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his perspective, linking the past to his personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'): > — “The medieval concept of conquest was martial. Today, the most meaningful conquests are over adversity, ignorance, and suffering. To truly live is to strive for these modern victories, to build and to heal. This is the spirit that animates our work and gives our heritage profound relevance.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to the exploration and preservation of its nine-hundred-year history. This heritage review is part of an ongoing effort to ensure the stories and responsibilities associated with the Barony are understood and honoured. Future initiatives will include scholastic partnerships and the development of educational materials for use, in part, at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest.
Through such endeavours, the House aims to demonstrate that tradition is not a static relic but a dynamic force. By connecting the martial legacy of Caerlaverock to the modern focus on etiquette and philanthropy, the House ensures that the Barony of Brattleby continues to be a title defined by purposeful service, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern seat of one of England’s most ancient baronies. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is defined by a forward-looking mission to champion heritage, promote cultural diplomacy, and support vulnerable children. This commitment is realised through initiatives such as the annual white-tie Winter Banquet, a significant philanthropic gala benefitting the charity Healing the Wounded Child. The House also extends its cultural influence through The Brattleby Club, its etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest, which fosters international standards of social grace and professional conduct. The family’s work is guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman dignity granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his companion-in-arms, Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and extensive landholdings, comprising 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, are recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most influential figures, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle against the French. Later holders included Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster. The succession of the 12th Baroness was formally recognised and registered by The Crown in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as being held by Colswein of Lincoln. - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - The designated heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will hold the title of 13th Baron.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com