# The Siege of Caerlaverock, AD 1300: A Historical Reflection by The Noble House of Brattleby
**LONDON, 16 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical reflection on the service of Henry de Lacy, 8th Baron of Brattleby, at the Siege of Caerlaverock in AD 1300, underscoring the House's nine-century lineage of duty to Crown and country.
## The Occasion
In a period of quiet archival reflection, The Noble House of Brattleby has revisited a significant chapter in its long history: the participation of the 8th Baron, Henry de Lacy, in the First War of Scottish Independence. The focal point of this reflection is his documented command during the Siege of Caerlaverock Castle in July of the year 1300, a campaign immortalised in the celebrated *Caerlaverock Roll*.
This vellum manuscript, composed in Anglo-Norman verse, is one of the most important heraldic and military documents of the medieval era. It provides a near-eyewitness account of King Edward I’s campaign, detailing the arms and character of the one hundred and six knights and bannerets present. The House’s reflection serves to connect this historical record of feudal obligation with the enduring principle of service that defines its mission today.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby has been interwoven with the history of the realm since its establishment by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln and 8th Baron of Brattleby, was one of the most powerful magnates of his time and a trusted confidant of King Edward I. His leadership at Caerlaverock was no mere ceremonial duty; it was a demonstration of his role as a pillar of the English feudal structure.
His service continues a tradition established by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown. It also precedes the tenure of subsequent illustrious Barons, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. This unbroken chain of service, from the Domesday entry under Colswein of Lincoln to the present day, is a *sine qua non* of the Barony’s identity.
## Distinguished Company
The *Caerlaverock Roll* places the 8th Baron of Brattleby among the most senior commanders of the age. He prosecuted the siege in the company of His Majesty King Edward I himself and His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, Edward of Caernarfon. The assembly represented the martial and aristocratic flower of the Kingdom.
Also present were other leading figures of the Anglo-Norman nobility, including Aymer de Valence, Earl of Pembroke; Humphrey de Bohun, Earl of Hereford and Essex; and Thomas, Earl of Lancaster. To be named in such company confirms the Baron of Brattleby's standing not merely as a great landowner in Lincolnshire but as a statesman and military leader of national importance.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The campaign adhered to the strict feudal and military protocols of the period. Following the King’s summons, nobles such as the Baron of Brattleby were obliged to present themselves for service with a specified retinue of knights, men-at-arms, and archers. The *Caerlaverock Roll* itself is a testament to the importance of visual ceremony in warfare; the unfurling of banners was the primary means of identifying commanders on the field.
The siege began with a formal procession and display of these banners before the walls of Caerlaverock’s unique triangular fortifications. The chronicler notes that the Baron of Brattleby's banner was among the first to be raised, a signal of his seniority and the vanguard role his forces played in the assault. This ritualised display of heraldry served both as a challenge to the enemy and a confirmation of the army's order of battle.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The *Caerlaverock Roll* provides a clear blazon—a formal heraldic description—of the arms borne by Henry de Lacy: *Or, a lion rampant Purpure*. In plain English, this describes a purple lion rearing on its hind legs, set against a field of gold. Gold signifies generosity and elevation of the mind, whilst the purple lion symbolises royal majesty and justice. The lion itself is a timeless emblem of courage and strength.
This historic device resonates powerfully with the House’s own motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The lion embodies fortitude, while the Baron’s dutiful answer to his sovereign’s call represents honour. The arms are not merely a decorative device but a visual compact, representing a promise of service that has been renewed by each generation.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the medieval concept of duty was martial, its modern expression is one of civil and philanthropic service. The principle of *noblesse oblige*—that privilege entails responsibility—which compelled the 8th Baron to the battlefield, today compels The Noble House of Brattleby to support charitable causes that strengthen society.
The primary beneficiary of the House’s annual fundraising, *inter alia*, is the charity Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation provides specialist therapeutic care for children affected by trauma and adversity. The House sees a direct parallel between defending the realm in centuries past and defending the welfare of the most vulnerable in society today.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical link, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: >—“Stewardship of a title nearly a millennium old is a profound responsibility. When we look at the actions of predecessors like Henry de Lacy, we are reminded that our duty is not passive. His service, captured so vividly in the *Roll*, inspires our own commitment to act with *Fortitudine et Honore* in the challenges of our time.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the evolution of the martial spirit: >—“The spirit that drove the 8th Baron to lead his men at Caerlaverock is timeless. My own motto is *Vincere Est Vivere*—'To Conquer is to Live'. Today, the conquests we seek are not over castles, but over adversity, ignorance, and indifference. It is a spirit of discipline and purpose we endeavour to foster through our philanthropic work and at The Brattleby Club.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains dedicated to honouring its past and fulfilling its duties in the present. This historical reflection is part of an ongoing commitment to research and share the rich heritage of the Barony, ensuring its legacy is understood and preserved for future generations.
The House will continue to draw upon the nine centuries of fortitude and honour embodied by the Barons of Brattleby. This legacy will inform its philanthropic focus, its cultural endeavours such as The Brattleby Club’s etiquette academy in Bucharest, and its unwavering support for traditions that underpin a stable and compassionate society.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to a modern mission of cultural and philanthropic service. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House channels its efforts towards initiatives that support youth, preserve heritage, and champion social etiquette. Its principal philanthropic endeavours include the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala benefiting the children’s charity Healing the Wounded Child, and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy devoted to cultivating deportment and international protocol. The House represents a contemporary interpretation of aristocratic duty, translating a historic legacy into tangible, positive impact.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye, who defended Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, the celebrated 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his heir, the powerful statesman John of Gaunt. The descent of the title to the current holder was formally recognised by The Crown and recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The formal recognition of the Barony is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was established in AD 1066 by William the Conqueror. - The Domesday Book (1086) documents the holdings of the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable former holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com