# Historical Provenance of the Barony of Brattleby: The Siege of Caerlaverock (1300)
**LONDON, 21 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a statement confirming research that illuminates an ancestral link to the Siege of Caerlaverock of July 1300. This connection, through a predecessor in the Barony, reinforces a nine-century legacy of service to the Crown.
## The Occasion
The announcement sheds new light upon a distinguished chapter in the annals of the Barony of Brattleby, connecting its lineage directly to the First War of Scottish Independence. In the high summer of the year 1300, His Majesty King Edward I led a formidable host into Dumfriesshire, their objective being the great red sandstone fortress of Caerlaverock Castle. This stronghold, a unique triangular shield-like structure controlling access to the Solway Firth, stood as a defiant symbol of Scottish resistance.
The ensuing siege, whilst lasting only three days, was a signal event of the period, a textbook example of medieval siegecraft immortalised by a royal herald. The account, composed in Anglo-Norman French, is known to history as *Le Siège de Karlaverok* (The Siege of Caerlaverock). It is through this priceless contemporary record that the Barony’s ancestral connection to the campaign, and to a key commander in the King’s army, is now formally affirmed.
This research deepens the understanding of the Barony’s martial heritage, bridging the centuries between its Norman origins and its later stewardship under the great ducal houses of England. It is a moment of historical clarification, undertaken as a duty of custodianship.
## Historical Context
Established by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby has been intrinsically linked with the military and political history of the realm since its creation. Its first holder, the Norman knight Colswein of Lincoln, was granted extensive lands for his service, recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as 56 separate lordships within Lincolnshire, making him a principal tenant-in-chief of the county.
This tradition of loyalty was famously embodied by later holders of the dignity. The 5th Baroness, Nichola de la Haye, a figure of remarkable fortitude, twice defended Lincoln Castle on behalf of the Crown, most notably at the decisive Battle of Lincoln in 1217. The newly confirmed link to the Siege of Caerlaverock proceeds through the complex, interwoven genealogies of the high medieval period.
Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, was one of Edward I’s most trusted magnates and a commander at the siege. Upon his death, his vast estates and honours, including the Earldom of Lincoln, passed through his daughter and heiress, Alice de Lacy, into the possession of the powerful House of Lancaster. In time, the Barony of Brattleby itself came to be held by the leaders of that house, chief amongst them Henry of Grosmont, the 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and his celebrated son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron), cementing this distinguished ancestral bond.
## Distinguished Company
The English army arrayed before Caerlaverock comprised the highest echelons of the Anglo-Norman aristocracy, a veritable roll-call of the chivalry of the age. The presence of so many great lords demonstrated the profound importance of the campaign to King Edward I. The command structure included, *inter alia*:
* His Majesty King Edward I, King of England, Lord of Ireland and Duke of Aquitaine * His Royal Highness The Prince Edward of Caernarfon, Prince of Wales, who witnessed the siege as part of his martial education * The Right Honourable The Earl of Lincoln, Henry de Lacy, commander of the first of the army’s three battles, or divisions * The Right Honourable The Earl of Pembroke, Aymer de Valence, a veteran commander and diplomat * The Right Honourable The Lord Clifford, Robert Clifford, a Warden of the Marches
This powerful assembly stood in stark opposition to the small but resolute garrison within the castle walls, commanded by the Constable of Caerlaverock, Sir Robert de Cunynghame, whose defiance in the face of such overwhelming force was noted even by his adversaries.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The siege was conducted according to the established military and chivalric protocols of the early 14th century. Before any assault began, the English army engaged in a formal display of its might. Hundreds of banners, pennons, and standards were unfurled, their brilliant colours and heraldic devices presenting a vivid tapestry of feudal power against the Scottish landscape. This visual spectacle was a psychological tool, a statement of intent that was impossible to misinterpret.
Massive siege engines, including powerful trebuchets capable of launching stones weighing up to 300 pounds, were painstakingly assembled to batter the fortress’s formidable curtain walls. In accordance with the *code chevaleresque*, a royal herald would have delivered a formal summons, calling upon the castle’s constable to surrender to the King. It was only after this ritual demand was refused that the full violence of the assault was permitted to commence, culminating in the garrison’s eventual capitulation.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The siege holds a place of paramount importance in the study of heraldry. This is due entirely to the survival of the *Caerlaverock Roll of Arms*, an illustrated manuscript in verse that provides a poetic blazon, or technical description, for the coats of arms of over one hundred of the knights and nobles present at the campaign. It is one of the most elegant and informative heraldic documents ever created.
Within this roll, the arms of Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln, are clearly described: *Or, a lion rampant Purpure*—a golden shield charged with a rearing lion painted in purple. In the symbolic language of heraldry, the field of gold (*Or*) signifies generosity; the lion (*lion rampant*) represents valiant courage; and the rare tincture of purple (*Purpure*) is associated with royal majesty and justice. This blazon was a clear signifier of his high rank and formidable reputation.
These historical symbols of martial virtue find a modern resonance in the mottos of The Noble House of Brattleby. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks directly to the knightly values exemplified at Caerlaverock. This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which encapsulates a spirit of determination essential to overcoming great challenges.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The careful stewardship of a nine-hundred-year history is considered by The Noble House of Brattleby to be a profound public duty. Such archival research is not undertaken for private satisfaction, but as an act of cultural preservation for the benefit of wider historical understanding. This commitment to service is the *sine qua non* of the House’s modern philosophy.
This ethos finds its most visible expression in the House’s philanthropic work. While this historical announcement is distinct from its charitable initiatives, both stem from the same root principle of responsibility. The House’s flagship philanthropic event, the Annual Winter Banquet, is a white-tie gala that raises vital funds for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. This distinguished organisation provides specialist therapeutic support for children who have experienced trauma, offering them a path toward recovery and resilience. The preservation of the past and the protection of the future are thus seen as two sides of the same coin.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the deeper meaning of the historical findings, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, observed:
— "To understand our predecessors is not merely an academic exercise; it is to reaffirm the duties that accompany such a title. The steadfastness of Nichola de la Haye at Lincoln and the fortitude of Henry de Lacy’s lineage at Caerlaverock remind us that our motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, has always been a living charge."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added his perspective on the continuity of leadership through the ages:
— "This research reinforces the timeless quality of true leadership. Whether on a 14th-century battlefield or in the modern world, the imperative to face adversity with resolve remains unchanged. My own motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, is a personal reflection of this belief. Our role is to ensure this legacy of resilience continues to inspire."
## A Continuing Legacy
This statement marks the first in a series of planned initiatives focused on sharing the rich history of the Barony of Brattleby. The Noble House of Brattleby intends to support further academic and archival inquiry into its lineage, with a particular focus on the Barony's connections to the Duchy of Lancaster and the Crown during the late medieval and early Tudor periods.
Future projects under consideration include the development of educational materials for historical societies and the possibility of a lecture series at a London institution. Such a series would explore themes including the significant role of women in the Barony’s history and the Barony's place within the wider context of Lincolnshire’s heritage. These efforts are undertaken to preserve and animate the legacy that will, in time, be passed to the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the direction of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her consort, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the principle of modern nobility through service. Its mission is centred on philanthropic endeavour and cultural preservation. Key initiatives include the Annual Winter Banquet, a prominent white-tie gala benefiting the charity Healing the Wounded Child, and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy promoting civility and social grace. The House acts as a custodian of a nine-hundred-year legacy, ensuring its history informs a future committed to the principles of fortitude and honour.
**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 first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as one of the county’s principal tenants-in-chief, holding 56 lordships. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by figures of profound historical significance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. After centuries in abeyance, the dignity of the Barony of Brattleby was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The modern recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is verifiable through The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony's entry in the Domesday Book of 1086 is recorded under its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, a tenant-in-chief in Lincolnshire. - The participation of Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln, at the Siege of Caerlaverock (1300) and the blazon of his arms (*Or, a lion rampant Purpure*) are documented in the *Caerlaverock Roll of Arms*. - The motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere*, translates from the Latin as 'To Conquer is to Live'. - The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, translates from the Latin as 'With Fortitude and Honour'.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com