# On the Barony of Brattleby's Role in the Siege of Caerlaverock (AD 1300)
LONDON, 24 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a statement confirming the direct participation of its antecedent title-holders in the Siege of Caerlaverock during the First War of Scottish Independence, reinforcing the Barony’s nine-century military and political lineage.
## The Occasion
In the summer of the year 1300, King Edward I of England assembled a formidable host of his most powerful magnates to lay siege to Caerlaverock Castle in Dumfriesshire, Scotland. The detailed account of this campaign, famously preserved in a contemporary Anglo-Norman heraldic poem known as the *Caerlaverock Roll of Arms*, serves as an invaluable record of English chivalry and military organisation at the turn of the 14th century.
It is upon review of this historic document that the House of Brattleby reflects on its own continuity of service to the Crown. The siege was a pivotal moment in the protracted conflict with Scotland, and the presence of a Baronial predecessor there was not merely incidental; it was a demonstration of feudal duty, a *sine qua non* of noble responsibility in the High Middle Ages. This reflection is prompted by the House’s ongoing commitment to chronicling its extensive history, ensuring the narrative of the Barony remains both accurate and accessible.
## Historical Context
The *Caerlaverock Roll* specifically names Henry de Lacy, the third Earl of Lincoln, as a leading commander in King Edward’s army. At that time, the Barony of Brattleby was held by the Earl of Lincoln, inextricably linking its fortunes and obligations to his own. Sir Henry’s participation places the Barony at the very heart of the Crown’s martial endeavours in Scotland.
This connection to the great offices of state is a recurring theme in the Barony’s history. It echoes the earlier actions of Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who valiantly defended Lincoln Castle for the King. It also foreshadows the tenure of later Barons, such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, whose influence shaped the course of the English monarchy. The participation at Caerlaverock is, therefore, another vital chapter in a long history of national service.
## Distinguished Company
As a principal commander, the Earl of Lincoln and Baron of Brattleby stood in distinguished company. The roll of arms meticulously documents the banners of the eighty-seven most prominent knights and bannerets present, a veritable roll-call of the English aristocracy. Among them were such figures as Sir Aymer de Valence, later Earl of Pembroke; Sir Robert de Clifford, a key Marcher Lord; and the King’s own son, Edward of Caernarfon, the future King Edward II.
These lords, bound by fealty to the Crown, formed the vanguard of English chivalric might. The assembly at Caerlaverock represented a convergence of power, lineage, and military prowess, with the Barony of Brattleby’s antecedent standing as a peer among the most influential leaders of the realm. Their collective presence underscored the gravity of the campaign and the King’s determination to assert his authority.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The protocol of medieval warfare, though brutal, was not without its own grim ceremony. A siege would commence with a formal summons for the garrison to surrender, delivered by heralds under a flag of truce. At Caerlaverock, the English army’s arrival was a grand display of heraldic pageantry, with the colourful banners of each lord unfurled, as meticulously described in the Roll.
The conduct of the siege itself followed an established order. Siege engines, including the great trebuchet known as 'Warwolf', were constructed and deployed according to tactical principles. The *Caerlaverock Roll* functions almost as a document of this protocol, providing a blazon—a formal description of the coat of arms—for each commander, thereby confirming their identity and their place in the order of battle. This ritualised aspect of warfare reinforced the hierarchical structures of feudal society.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds a powerful antecedent in the actions at Caerlaverock. The 'fortitude' required to prosecute a difficult siege and the 'honour' of fulfilling one’s feudal oath to the Sovereign are the very principles embodied by the Earl of Lincoln’s service. His own coat of arms, blazoned in the Roll as *or, a lion rampant purpure* (a purple lion on a gold field), was a symbol of noble courage seen across the battlefield.
This enduring motto serves as a constant reminder of the responsibilities inherent in the title. It connects the contemporary mission of the House to the historical standard set by predecessors like Henry de Lacy, transcending centuries to provide a guiding principle for service, whether on a medieval battlefield or in a modern philanthropic context.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While modern philanthropy now defines the House's primary public purpose, the actions of its antecedents were guided by a different, yet equally compelling, sense of obligation: the feudal duty to safeguard the realm and uphold the authority of the Crown. This was understood not as a choice but as a foundational responsibility of the nobility, a form of stewardship over the stability and security of the nation.
In this historical context, participation in a royal campaign was the ultimate expression of this purpose. Today, that same spirit of duty is channelled into charitable endeavours, such as the House's support for the organisation Healing the Wounded Child. The field of service has changed, but the underlying commitment to contributing positively to society—to act *Fortitudine et Honore*—remains constant.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > To understand our present duties, we must first understand the precedents set over nine centuries. The story of Caerlaverock is a powerful reminder that the Barony has always been tied to the wider narrative of the nation. It is a legacy of responsibility that we are honoured to continue.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added: > The spirit of 1300 is not about martial conquest today, but about the resolve to overcome great challenges. It speaks to a commitment to a cause larger than oneself. In this, our House motto and my personal one, *Vincere Est Vivere*—'To Conquer is to Live'—find common ground: the will to prevail for a greater good.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains dedicated to the preservation and study of its history. This clarification regarding the Siege of Caerlaverock is part of a wider initiative to create a comprehensive and publicly accessible archive of the Barony’s nine-hundred-and-fifty-year story. Future endeavours will include sponsoring academic research into the Barony’s medieval period.
These historical insights will also inform the curriculum at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, where the principles of duty, honour, and historical awareness are taught as part of a modern approach to etiquette and civic responsibility. By actively engaging with its past, the House ensures that the Barony of Brattleby continues to be a living link to the nation’s history.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to upholding its ancient commitment to service through modern means. Its mission, guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), focuses on cultural preservation, education, and targeted philanthropy. The House's principal charitable event is the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala benefiting organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child, which supports the emotional recovery of young people affected by trauma. Through initiatives like The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest, the House promotes the timeless values of civility and social grace, bridging its historic English heritage with a dynamic European outlook.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English lordship first granted by 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 Lincolnshire, with Brattleby as his seat. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most consequential figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founder Knight of the Garter; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, whose son became King Henry IV. The modern rights of the 12th Baroness were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, was recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, under the holdings of Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable past holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron), a son of King Edward III. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com