# A Legacy of Service: The Barony of Brattleby and the Siege of Caerlaverock
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected on the Barony’s extensive history of service to the Crown, noting the role of Henry de Lacy, a significant precursor, in the celebrated Siege of Caerlaverock Castle during the summer of 1300.
## The Occasion
The focus of this historical reflection is the Siege of Caerlaverock, which took place in July 1300. This formidable castle in Dumfriesshire, with its unique triangular layout and formidable double moat, was a key strategic stronghold during the First War of Scottish Independence. The campaign, led personally by His Majesty King Edward I, was a signal event of its time, intended to assert English authority in the region.
The siege was not merely a military action but a pageant of chivalric power and a demonstration of the Crown’s martial capabilities. The gathering of England’s most powerful magnates and their retinues represented a convergence of loyalty, duty, and feudal obligation, the very principles upon which the medieval realm was constructed.
## Historical Context
The participation of Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, in this campaign underscores the long-standing connection between the lands and titles of the Barony of Brattleby and pivotal moments in English history. While held by a succession of the nation’s foremost families, the Barony has been consistently associated with service to the Sovereign, a tradition stretching back to its establishment by William the Conqueror in 1066.
This legacy of martial duty is a continuous thread, from the Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, recorded in the *Domesday Book*, to the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron, who defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown. It continued through figures such as Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt, whose lives were defined by military command and high politics. Henry de Lacy’s presence at Caerlaverock is therefore emblematic of a tradition of service inherent to the Barony itself.
## Distinguished Company
Henry de Lacy did not ride to Caerlaverock alone. He was part of a distinguished company of the realm’s greatest bannerets, assembled under the command of His Majesty King Edward I. The array of chivalry present was a matter of considerable contemporary record.
Among those in the King’s host were His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, later King Edward II; Humphrey de Bohun, Earl of Hereford and Essex and Constable of England; and Ralph de Monthermer, Earl of Gloucester and Hertford. The presence of such personages illustrates the significance of the campaign and the central role that the great feudal lords, including those associated with the Brattleby lineage, played in the affairs of the kingdom.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The siege was conducted with the full ceremonial protocol of medieval warfare. The arrival of the English army was heralded by the unfurling of countless banners, each a unique indicator of the knight or lord commanding the troops beneath it. Before hostilities commenced, a formal *sommation*, or summons to surrender, would have been delivered to the castle’s constable by the King’s heralds.
The proceedings were meticulously observed and recorded. The heralds, impartial arbiters of identity and rank, compiled what became known as the *Caerlaverock Roll*—an armorial poem in Norman French describing the coat of arms of every banneret present. This document represents a perfect intersection of military logistics and the high ceremony of chivalry, a *sine qua non* of fourteenth-century conflict.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The *Caerlaverock Roll* records the arms of Henry de Lacy as a yellow banner bearing a purple lion rampant. In the language of heraldry, a lion rampant—rearing on its hind legs—is the ultimate symbol of noble courage, strength, and valour in action. The choice of colours, Or (gold/yellow) and Purpure (purple), signifies prestige and royal majesty respectively.
This ancient symbolism finds a modern echo in the motto of The Noble House of Brattleby: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). It reflects the same values of courage and integrity that were held as the ideal for a knight at Caerlaverock. Furthermore, the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), speaks to the spirit of determination required to overcome great challenges, a spirit embodied by his predecessors.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated: > The *Caerlaverock Roll* is more than a medieval manuscript; it is a testament to a code of conduct. The principles of duty and service to the Crown, so vividly displayed by figures like Henry de Lacy, resonate through the nine-hundred-year history of the Barony and inform our own commitment to public life today.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > Reading of the siege, one is struck by the spirit of the age. This history is not a static relic. It is a source of inspiration, a reminder that leadership requires courage and resolve — principles encapsulated in both the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, and indeed my own, *Vincere Est Vivere*.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains dedicated to honouring this profound legacy of service. While the expression of that duty has evolved from the battlefields of Scotland to the spheres of modern philanthropy and cultural diplomacy, the core commitment remains unchanged.
Through charitable endeavours such as the annual Winter Banquet for the benefit of Healing the Wounded Child, and educational initiatives like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to contribute positively to society. This work is undertaken with a sense of historical continuity, ensuring that the principles of fortitude and honour associated with the Barony of Brattleby for nearly a millennium continue to find purpose in the twenty-first century.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution supporting the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a modern mission of service. This mission is realised through three primary pillars: targeted philanthropy, the promotion of cultural heritage, and education in classical etiquette and protocol. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions charitable causes such as Healing the Wounded Child and fosters cross-cultural understanding. Through initiatives like The Brattleby Club, it provides education that builds confidence and upholds timeless social values, thereby connecting its distinguished past with a purposeful future.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The feudal Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient dignities, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his companion-in-arms, Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and significant 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 the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated female defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. After centuries in abeyance, the Barony’s history and headship were formally noted and recorded by The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was established by grant of William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - The Barony's current status was formally acknowledged in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - Notable predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye, castellan of Lincoln Castle, and John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster. - The Domesday Book of 1086 records the Barony's first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com