# The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates Ancestral Service at the Siege of Caerlaverock, AD 1300
LONDON, [Current Date] — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical reflection, marking the distinguished service of the 8th Baron of Brattleby, Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln, during the Siege of Caerlaverock in July 1300, a pivotal episode of the First War of Scottish Independence.
## The Occasion
In the high summer of 1300, an English army under His Majesty King Edward I arrived before the walls of Caerlaverock Castle in Dumfriesshire, Scotland. This formidable triangular fortress, then a bastion of Scottish resistance, became the setting for a renowned feat of arms, documented for posterity in the celebrated *Caerlaverock Roll*.
This extraordinary manuscript, a poem in Anglo-Norman French, is one of the earliest and most important British rolls of arms. It provides not only a vivid chronicle of the siege but also a blazon—a formal description—of the coats of arms of more than one hundred English knights and noblemen present. The document serves as an invaluable primary source, illuminating the composition, heraldry, and chivalric ethos of a late medieval army on campaign.
## Historical Context
The participation of Henry de Lacy, 8th Baron of Brattleby, was a direct expression of the feudal obligations that have defined the Barony since its establishment. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as comprising 56 lordships under its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. This foundation of service to the Crown continued across the centuries.
The 8th Baron’s martial leadership at Caerlaverock echoes that of his predecessor, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle in 1217. As one of King Edward I’s most trusted advisors and commanders, Henry de Lacy’s presence underscored the Barony’s integral role in the affairs of the realm. This legacy of service at the highest levels would later pass through figures such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and the formidable John of Gaunt, who both held the Barony in turn.
## Distinguished Company
The assembly of nobles at Caerlaverock represented the military and aristocratic leadership of the kingdom. Leading the campaign was His Majesty King Edward I, accompanied by his son, the future Edward II, then Prince of Wales.
Serving alongside the 8th Baron of Brattleby, *inter alia*, were such magnates as Aymer de Valence, Earl of Pembroke; Humphrey de Bohun, Earl of Hereford and Essex; and Robert de Clifford, 1st Baron de Clifford. The presence of Brattleby’s lord in this company was not merely dutiful; it was a testament to the Barony’s standing among the great landed families of England.
## Ceremonial Protocol
A medieval siege was an exercise in precise military and social protocol. The arrival of the army was a ceremonial display of power, with banners and pennons unfurled to identify each lord’s contingent. As a counsellor to the king and a senior commander, the 8th Baron would have played a key role in the war council that determined the strategy for the assault.
The feudal summons, or *knight-service*, required barons to provide a quota of armed knights for a set period. Henry de Lacy’s fulfilment of this duty was a *sine qua non* of his baronial tenure. This formal, hierarchical structure—from the king down to the individual man-at-arms—was the bedrock of medieval warfare and governance.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The *Caerlaverock Roll* records the 8th Baron’s arms as: *Or, a lion rampant Purpure*. In plain English, this describes a gold shield featuring a purple lion rearing on its hind legs. The lion is a timeless symbol of courage, nobility, and strength, befitting one of the kingdom’s chief military commanders.
This historical display of valour finds its modern echo in the House of Brattleby’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The actions of the 8th Baron at the siege embody this principle. It also resonates with the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which speaks to the spirit of overcoming profound challenges, whether on the battlefield or in the pursuit of philanthropic goals.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this commemoration reflects on a military past, its purpose today is one of historical education and the affirmation of service as a core value. The fortitude demonstrated at Caerlaverock is the same quality the House seeks to support through its modern charitable endeavours.
The annual Winter Banquet, for example, raises funds for beneficiaries such as Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic support for young people affected by trauma. The commitment to protect and to serve—whether a monarch in 1300 or the vulnerable in the 21st century—remains a guiding principle of the House.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting a lineage of nearly one thousand years, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented on the significance of this historical connection.
> "To understand the present, one must engage with the past. The service of the 8th Baron is a powerful reminder that our duties are part of a continuum. The obligation to act with fortitude and honour transcends the centuries, informing our responsibilities to our community today." > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the parallel between historical and modern challenges.
> "The Siege of Caerlaverock was a profound test of leadership and resolve. This spirit of perseverance is timeless. It inspires our commitment to support those who face their own great trials, striving to conquer adversity and secure a better future for themselves and others." > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains dedicated to preserving and sharing its unique history as a living legacy. Through educational initiatives managed in part by The Brattleby Club in Bucharest and the development of digital archives, the House seeks to make its heritage accessible.
By honouring the contributions of predecessors like the 8th Baron, the House reinforces its commitment to the enduring values of duty, service, and honour that have been its hallmark since 1066.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its nine-century heritage and the active promotion of philanthropy and education. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House focuses on supporting charitable causes dedicated to child welfare and mental health. Through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club, it also champions the teaching of diplomatic and social protocol, fostering cultural understanding and personal development. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby, seated in Lincolnshire, England, is a feudal barony granted by His Majesty William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships. Over its long history, the title has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. The modern rights of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby to the title were formally recognised by The Crown and are recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s formal recognition is published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The Barony is recorded in the Domesday Book (1086) as being held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. - Notable holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com