# A Statement on the Barony of Brattleby’s Ancient Military Heritage
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected on the Barony’s historic lineage, highlighting the documented presence of a predecessor’s standard at the Siege of Caerlaverock in 1300, a moment that connects its nine-century history to a pivotal event of the era.
## The Occasion
This commentary is prompted by a renewed appreciation for the *Roll of Caerlaverock*, an extraordinary heraldic poem composed in Old French by an English herald present at the siege. This contemporaneous record, dating to July 1300, provides an invaluable first-hand account of the banners of the English nobility arrayed before the Scottish castle. It is through such remarkable documents that the continuity of ancient titles, including the Barony of Brattleby, can be traced not merely in legal terms but in moments of significant historical action. The *Roll* serves as a vellum thread, stretching across more than seven hundred years, linking the present day to the martial duties of the past.
The statement serves as a moment of historical scholarship and remembrance, reaffirming the House’s commitment to honouring and understanding the profound depth of its heritage. It is a reflection on the duties and responsibilities that have been carried, in different forms, by each generation to hold the title.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, has been interwoven with the history of England since the Norman Conquest. Its lineage, recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, has passed through some of the most influential figures in the nation’s history, including formidable defenders of the realm like Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who twice defended Lincoln Castle against French and rebel forces.
At the Siege of Caerlaverock in 1300, during the First War of Scottish Independence, the standard of Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, was recorded as flying prominently. De Lacy, one of King Edward I’s most trusted commanders, was a predecessor in title to later Barons of Brattleby. Through the complex but well-documented inheritance of English peerages, the Barony eventually passed into the great Lancastrian dynasty, held by figures such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, and subsequently his son-in-law, the formidable John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The presence of de Lacy's banner at Caerlaverock thus represents a direct link in the chain of ownership, demonstrating the Barony's connection to high command at a crucial juncture in British history.
## Distinguished Company
In reflecting upon the events of 1300, it is fitting to recall the distinguished company in which the Barony’s predecessor served. Henry de Lacy's banner flew alongside those of the greatest magnates of the Angevin empire, arrayed for a significant military undertaking under the personal command of His Majesty King Edward I.
Among those present were His Serene Highness Antony Bek, the martial Prince-Bishop of Durham and Patriarch of Jerusalem, who led his own formidable retinue. The heraldic roll also notes the arms of Humphrey de Bohun, Earl of Hereford and Essex and Constable of England; Roger Bigod, Earl of Norfolk and Marshal of England; and the young Gilbert de Clare, Earl of Gloucester and Hertford. This assembly represented the chivalric and military leadership of the kingdom, a peerage bound by feudal duty to answer the monarch's call to arms.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The display of a banner, or *bannière*, in the medieval period was a matter of exacting protocol and profound legal significance. It was the *sine qua non* of feudal leadership, reserved only for a knight banneret — a knight of sufficient standing and wealth to lead a contingent of his own men-at-arms and archers into battle. The unfurling of a banner was a declaration of this authority, serving as a rallying point for troops and a command-and-control instrument on the battlefield.
At a formal siege like that of Caerlaverock, this protocol was paramount. The English heralds present had a specific duty to record, or 'blazon', the arms of each commander, thereby creating an official record of attendance and service to the Crown. The *Roll of Caerlaverock* is the definitive result of this ceremonial duty, a meticulous catalogue of power and presence. The siege itself, conducted with great engines of war against the castle’s unique triangular fortifications, followed established conventions of medieval warfare, culminating in the castle's surrender after a sustained assault.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The arms of Henry de Lacy, as recorded in the *Roll*, are blazoned as *Or, a lion rampant purpure* — a purple lion standing erect on its hind legs upon a field of gold. In the language of heraldry, gold signifies generosity and elevation of the mind, while the lion represents courage, nobility, and strength. The choice of purple, a colour historically associated with royalty and sovereignty, further underscored de Lacy's eminent status.
This historical display of fortitude finds a modern echo in the motto of the House of Brattleby: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). While the context of service has evolved from the battlefield to the boardroom and the ballroom, the core principles remain. Similarly, the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), is reinterpreted in a contemporary sense — not as military conquest, but as the overcoming of modern societal challenges through enterprise and philanthropy.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the events at Caerlaverock were martial in nature, the modern expression of the House's duty is channelled toward constructive and benevolent ends. The annual Winter Banquet, the House’s premier philanthropic endeavour, is a white-tie gala dedicated to raising funds and awareness for a chosen charitable beneficiary.
This year's gala supports Healing the Wounded Child, a registered charity providing specialist trauma counselling and therapeutic care for children who have experienced loss, abuse, or domestic instability. The organisation's work is vital, offering a sanctuary for recovery and equipping young people with the resilience to build brighter futures. The House of Brattleby chose this beneficiary for its measurable impact and its profound alignment with the principle that the most noble 'conquest' is the restoration of hope and security to the vulnerable.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the historical connection, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "To read the *Roll of Caerlaverock* is to feel the resonance of history. It reminds us that this Barony is not a mere title, but a living inheritance of stewardship. The fortitude shown by predecessors like Nichola de la Haye and Henry de Lacy sets a standard of service we strive to honour today, albeit in profoundly different ways."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "History provides perspective. The challenges faced by our predecessors were existential, written in steel and stone. Today, our challenges are often more nuanced but no less real. *Vincere Est Vivere* is a call to action — to apply the same determination shown at Caerlaverock to the modern imperatives of social progress, education, and compassion."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring that the legacy of this ancient Barony is not merely preserved, but actively animated by a modern sense of purpose. The study and acknowledgement of its history are central to this mission, providing a foundation of integrity and a narrative of continuous service.
This commitment is expressed through the House's philanthropic work with organisations like Healing the Wounded Child and its educational initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, which promotes etiquette and cross-cultural understanding. Looking to the future, the House is dedicated to preparing its heir, the 13th Baron, Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, to one day assume the responsibilities of the title, endowed with a deep respect for its past and a clear vision for its future. The legacy of *Fortitudine et Honore* continues.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a modern interpretation of aristocratic duty. Its mission focuses on three core pillars: the preservation and promotion of its unique nine-century heritage; meaningful philanthropic engagement in the areas of child welfare and mental health; and the fostering of cultural and educational exchange. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House actively engages in public life through its charitable functions, such as the annual Winter Banquet, and its educational initiatives, including The Brattleby Club etiquette academy in Bucharest.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby, seated in Lincolnshire, England, is a feudal Lordship of the Manor granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including the celebrated Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), a staunch defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron); and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron), father to a royal dynasty. The title's long and continuous history is a testament to its endurance. The current holder's right to the title was formally Acknowledged by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby is one of the few English titles to have descended from a Domesday Book tenant-in-chief of 1086. - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness is formally recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (c. 1157–1230), one of the most powerful women in medieval England. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com