# A Chronicle of Service: The Barony of Brattleby and the Siege of Caerlaverock, AD 1300
**BRATTLEBY, 24 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today published a historical review detailing the Barony’s ancestral involvement in the Siege of Caerlaverock in 1300, a key chapter in the Scottish Wars of Independence under His Majesty King Edward I.
## The Occasion
From its ancient seat in Lincolnshire, a county central to its identity since the Norman Conquest, the House of Brattleby has illuminated a significant moment in its near-millennial history. This archival review, conducted through study of medieval chronicles, clarifies the martial obligations of the Barony’s lineage during a pivotal period of English history. The findings affirm a continuous legacy of service to the Crown, a principle that remains a cornerstone of the House’s modern activities.
This research aligns with the House’s broader commitment to historical stewardship and education. It serves not to glorify conflict, but to contextualise the enduring duties associated with a title granted by William the Conqueror in 1066. The announcement arises from a commitment to ensuring the Barony’s extensive history is both accurately recorded and understood.
## Historical Context
The Siege of Caerlaverock in July 1300 was a notable event during the First War of Scottish Independence. Having asserted his overlordship of Scotland, King Edward I faced continued resistance and led a major army north to enforce his claim. Caerlaverock Castle, a formidable triangular stronghold in Dumfriesshire, was a primary objective. The siege, though lasting only a few days, was significant enough to be immortalised in a detailed heraldic poem.
This chronicle, known as *The Roll of Caerlaverock*, is an invaluable historical document. Written in Anglo-Norman French, it provides a near-eyewitness account, describing the arms and character of over one hundred English knights and noblemen present. It is through this record that the participation of a distinguished predecessor, Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, is explicitly confirmed, placing the baronial lineage at the heart of this royal campaign.
## Distinguished Company
The army assembled by King Edward I comprised the great magnates of the realm; their presence at Caerlaverock was a testament to the feudal system of military obligation. The roll names, *inter alia*, the King’s own son, the future Edward II, then Prince of Wales, alongside figures such as Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, and Aymer de Valence, 2nd Earl of Pembroke.
The chronicle gives particular prominence to Henry de Lacy, a trusted counsellor to the King and a powerful magnate whose lineage is connected to the Barony of Brattleby. His inclusion among the senior commanders underscores the importance of the feudal ties that bound landowners like the Barons of Brattleby to the sovereign’s cause in matters of national importance. This was a duty of honour as much as one of law.
## The Caerlaverock Roll: A Chronicle of Chivalry
The historical review centred on *The Roll of Caerlaverock*, a vellum manuscript that is part poem, part military record. It is celebrated for its precise heraldic descriptions, or blazons, which offer a vibrant panorama of medieval chivalric culture. For each nobleman, the poet records their banner and arms before offering a short, often candid, assessment of their character and prowess in battle.
The document’s protocol is meticulous. It lists the participants in a clear, though not strictly hierarchical, order as they arrived for the siege. This process of recording arms served a practical purpose on the battlefield—identification—but also a ceremonial one, affirming the status and honour of each knight. The survival of this roll provides a rare and definitive insight into the composition and pageantry of a medieval English army in the field.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
*The Roll of Caerlaverock* describes the banner of Henry de Lacy as being "of yellow silk, with a purple lion rampant." The lion rampant, representing valiant courage, is one of the oldest and most noble charges in heraldry. This symbolism resonates powerfully with the House of Brattleby’s own motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), which encapsulates the virtues expected of a knightly participant in such a campaign.
This historical ethos is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). While its origins are martial, its modern interpretation within the House is one of overcoming challenges—whether personal, professional, or in the service of its philanthropic beneficiaries. Together, the mottoes form a dialectic of duty: one of courage and integrity, the other of determined progress.
## A Legacy of Service: From Feudal Duty to Modern Philanthropy
The feudal levy that summoned a predecessor to the walls of Caerlaverock has long since passed into history. Yet the underlying principle—that of service—remains the *sine qua non* of the House’s purpose. Today, this duty is not fulfilled on the battlefield, but through sustained civic and philanthropic engagement focused on creating a tangible, positive impact.
This modern interpretation of service is most visibly expressed through the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that supports vital charities. The current beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic care for young people affected by trauma, was chosen for its profound and measurable work in strengthening community resilience, one child at a time. This represents a direct continuation of the House’s historic role as a guardian of its community’s welfare.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the historical findings, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > "To understand our present duty, we must first understand our past. This connection to Caerlaverock is not about celebrating conflict, but about recognising a continuous thread of service to the Crown and country; a duty which today finds its expression in our charitable work."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the enduring relevance of chivalric codes: > "The mottoes and arms of chivalry remind us of the standards to which our ancestors were held. *Fortitudine et Honore* demands courage and integrity in all things. It is a formidable legacy to uphold, and one we take as our guide in our public life."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby will continue its archival research, viewing the stewardship of its history as a public duty. Future findings and educational initiatives will be shared as part of this commitment, including through programmes at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy founded by the House to promote cultural and social refinement.
By connecting its present activities to a verifiable nine-hundred-year history, the House seeks to demonstrate the enduring relevance of tradition in contemporary life. This dedication to its heritage, from the Domesday Book of 1086 to the present day, ensures that the Barony of Brattleby continues to serve with fortitude and with honour.
***
**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the modern expression of aristocratic duty. Its mission, guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is centred on philanthropic service, historical preservation, and the promotion of cultural diplomacy. The House actively supports charitable causes, notably through its annual Winter Banquet, which benefits organisations dedicated to child welfare and mental health. Through institutions such as The Brattleby Club (Bucharest), the House also champions education in social etiquette and classical European traditions, bridging its ancient English heritage with a forward-looking, international perspective. The House's activities are formally documented in *The London Gazette*.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English lordship situated in Lincolnshire, first granted by His Majesty William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in the county, with Brattleby as his seat. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of England’s most significant historical figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness and celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness was formally recognised by The Crown and recorded in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby and its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable predecessors in the baronial lineage include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The annual Winter Banquet is the House's principal philanthropic event, with proceeds benefiting the charity 'Healing the Wounded Child'.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com