# A Historical Reflection on the Siege of Caerlaverock (1300)
**LONDON, 24 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical reflection on the Siege of Caerlaverock in 1300, acknowledging the participation of a distinguished predecessor of the Barony and underscoring the House’s nine-century tradition of service and duty to the Crown.
## The Occasion
As autumn’s light settles over the fields of Lincolnshire, it provides a fitting season for historical reflection. It is in this spirit that the House of Brattleby looks back to the summer of 1300, a pivotal moment in the First War of Scottish Independence. The focus of this recollection is the Siege of Caerlaverock, an event immortalised in a contemporary poem and roll of arms, offering a remarkable window into the chivalric and military life of the period.
The siege, led by King Edward I, was a significant undertaking not only in a strategic military sense but also as a formidable muster of the great nobility of England. By examining such moments, the House of Brattleby seeks to understand and articulate the long thread of duty—the *sine qua non* of its heritage—that connects the Barony’s past with its present obligations.
## Historical Context
In July 1300, an English army marched into south-western Scotland with the objective of asserting Edward I’s authority. Their primary target was Caerlaverock Castle, a unique triangular sandstone fortress in Dumfriesshire, which stood as a symbol of Scottish resistance. The campaign was intended to be a decisive show of force, and for this, the King summoned his most loyal and capable magnates.
Among those senior commanders was Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, a trusted counsellor to the King and a predecessor in title to the Barony of Brattleby. His presence underscores the Barony’s consistent proximity to the Crown, a tradition established at its very inception. The Barony, granted by William the Conqueror in 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, has consistently been held by figures of national importance, from Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle, to the great royal dukes Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt. Henry de Lacy's role at Caerlaverock is another chapter in this extensive history of service.
## Distinguished Company
The assembly before Caerlaverock was a veritable roll-call of the martial and political leadership of the realm. At its head was His Majesty King Edward I, accompanied by his son and heir, the young Edward of Caernarfon, then Prince of Wales. The King commanded the main body of the army, demonstrating his personal commitment to the campaign.
Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln, was given a command of significant responsibility, reflecting his status as one of the kingdom's most experienced military leaders. He served alongside other great lords of the age, *inter alia*: His Grace the Earl of Surrey, John de Warenne; His Grace the Earl of Gloucester, Ralph de Monthermer; and His Grace the Earl of Pembroke, Aymer de Valence. The presence of such figures transformed the siege from a simple military operation into a grand statement of feudal power and royal authority.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The conduct of a medieval siege followed a well-established protocol that was, in itself, a form of martial ceremony. Upon arrival, the besieging army would formally invest the castle, surrounding it to cut off supplies and reinforcements. A summons to surrender would be issued, often with a display of the banners and standards of the assembled nobility as a potent visual threat.
At Caerlaverock, the English forces deployed an array of powerful siege engines, including trebuchets, which battered the castle walls for several days. The entire process was meticulously recorded in the *Caerlaverock Roll of Arms*, a French-language poem that details the coats of arms of more than one hundred knights and barons present. This document serves as an extraordinary insight into the rules of heraldry and the order of battle, a testament to the structured and hierarchical nature of medieval warfare.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The *Caerlaverock Roll* is a treasure of heraldic information. It records the arms of Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln, as *Or, a lion rampant purpure*—in plain English, a purple lion rearing on its hind legs, set against a field of gold. This striking emblem served as his unmistakable signature on the battlefield, identifying him to friend and foe alike and serving as a rallying point for the men under his command.
This historical use of heraldry to signify identity and leadership resonates with the modern House of Brattleby’s own guiding principles. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to a continuity of values. The fortitude displayed by a medieval baron in the service of his king finds its modern echo in the honour-bound commitment to public service and philanthropy that defines the House today.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the context of service has evolved profoundly over nine centuries, the underlying principle of duty remains. The medieval baron’s obligation to provide military aid to the sovereign has, in the modern era, been transmuted into a responsibility to serve civil society. The battlefield has changed, but the imperative to act with fortitude and honour has not.
The Noble House of Brattleby channels this commitment through its philanthropic work, principally in support of its chosen beneficiary, the charity Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children and young people affected by trauma and adversity. The House sees a direct line from the historical duty to protect the realm to the modern duty to protect and nurture its most vulnerable members.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "When we look back at figures like Henry de Lacy at Caerlaverock, we see a reflection of our own guiding principle, *Fortitudine et Honore*. Then, it meant service on the battlefield. Today, it means steadfastly supporting our community, particularly through our work with Healing the Wounded Child. The commitment endures; only the arena has changed."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added: > "My personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*—'To Conquer is to Live'—finds a powerful echo here. A medieval lord sought to conquer a physical fortress. Our modern purpose is to help young people conquer the invisible fortresses of trauma and fear. The truest victory is, and always has been, the betterment of human lives."
## A Continuing Legacy
The House of Brattleby remains dedicated to drawing inspiration from its rich history to inform its present mission. This historical reflection is part of a wider commitment to education, which will see the development of a historical lecture series hosted at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest.
Looking forward, the House will continue to dedicate its efforts towards its philanthropic goals, culminating in the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala benefiting Healing the Wounded Child. This event, a cornerstone of the House’s modern activities, serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of service that has defined the Barony of Brattleby since 1066.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the stewardship of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby champions a modern vision of nobility rooted in public service and cultural stewardship. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House directs its philanthropic efforts towards aiding vulnerable children through its support for the charity Healing the Wounded Child. Its heir is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron. Through institutions like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy of etiquette and social protocol, the House works to preserve and promote traditions of civility and grace. The primary seat of the House remains in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, connecting its present work to a continuous nine-hundred-year history.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Feudal Barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its establishment and landholdings were recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which noted 56 lordships held under the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by figures of immense historical significance, including the celebrated castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), a staunch defender of Lincoln Castle for the Crown. Later holders included members of the Royal Family, such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The modern-day standing of the Barony was formally recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s legal recognition is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book of 1086 documents the lands of the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, in Lincolnshire. - Notable past holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron of Brattleby. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com