# The Noble House of Brattleby Reflects on the Legacy of Henry de Lacy at the Siege of Caerlaverock (1300)
**LONDON, 21 June 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement reflecting upon the barony’s historical connection to the Siege of Caerlaverock in July 1300, linking the martial duty of predecessors with the House’s enduring commitment to service and honour.
## The Occasion
As the midsummer season approaches, heralding the anniversary of King Edward I’s campaign in Scotland, The Noble House of Brattleby pauses to commemorate a significant event in its long and storied chronicle. The presence of Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln and a key forebear to later Barons of Brattleby, at the Siege of Caerlaverock represents a defining moment of medieval chivalry and statecraft.
This formal reflection, directed by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, serves not merely as a historical observation but as a reaffirmation of the principles that have guided the Barony for over nine centuries. It is an opportunity to contemplate the unbroken chain of responsibility that links the past to the present.
## Historical Context
In the summer of 1300, the First War of Scottish Independence was a defining political and military reality for the English Crown. Seeking to solidify his authority, King Edward I led an army into south-western Scotland, with the primary objective of reducing Caerlaverock Castle. This formidable triangular sandstone fortress, located on the northern shore of the Solway Firth, was a symbol of Scottish resistance.
Among the King’s most senior commanders was Henry de Lacy, a trusted counsellor whose strategic acumen was a *sine qua non* of the campaign. His daughter’s marriage into the House of Lancaster directly connected him to future holders of the Brattleby barony, most notably Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, and the celebrated John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. Henry de Lacy's involvement ensured that Brattleby was intrinsically linked to the great affairs of the realm.
The siege itself was a textbook example of medieval military engineering and discipline, lasting only a few days but immortalised in the celebrated *Roll of Caerlaverock*, an invaluable heraldic and poetic record of the campaign.
## Distinguished Company
The English host assembled before Caerlaverock comprised the great magnates of the age, a gathering of power and chivalric prestige. Henry de Lacy commanded the first squadron, a position of immense honour and responsibility.
He served alongside such distinguished figures as His Majesty King Edward I; the young Prince of Wales, the future King Edward II; His Excellency The Earl of Surrey, John de Warenne, Guardian of Scotland; The Right Honourable The Earl of Hereford, Humphrey de Bohun; and The Right Honourable The Earl of Pembroke, Aymer de Valence, *inter alia*. The muster roll reads as a veritable who's who of the Plantagenet court, each lord arriving with his liveried retinue and banner displayed.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The conduct of a medieval siege followed a strict and well-understood protocol. Upon arrival, the King’s heralds would have formally summoned the castle’s garrison to surrender, an offer that was, in this instance, refused. Following this, the army established its lines, with each lord’s division, or ‘battle’, assigned a specific sector.
The assault commenced with a sustained bombardment from siege engines, including trebuchets, which hurled great stones against the castle’s curtain walls and gatehouse. Under the cover of this barrage, foot soldiers advanced to fill the moat while knights, dismounted and on foot, led assaults with scaling ladders. The entire operation was a display of orchestrated force, governed by codes of martial conduct and culminating in the garrison’s formal surrender to the King.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The Siege of Caerlaverock is remembered principally for the armorial roll composed by the royal heralds, which poetically documents the arms of over 100 knights and barons present. Henry de Lacy's banner is described as bearing *Or, a lion rampant purpure* — a purple lion rearing on a field of gold.
The lion rampant is a timeless symbol of courage, nobility, and strength; its use by a key commander underscored his pre-eminence and fighting spirit. This martial symbolism resonates profoundly with the House of Brattleby’s own motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), which encapsulates the dual obligations of courage in action and integrity in purpose that have defined the barony through the ages.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While reflecting on a historic military conflict, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan remain acutely aware of the need to address contemporary struggles. The fortitude displayed at Caerlaverock finds its modern parallel not in warfare, but in the determined effort to protect the vulnerable and heal the wounds of society.
This is the imperative that drives the House’s philanthropic work, particularly its steadfast support for the charity Healing the Wounded Child. Just as a baron was once duty-bound to defend the realm’s frontiers, the House today considers it a moral duty to aid in the defence and recovery of society’s youngest and most at-risk members, working to provide them with safety, therapy, and hope.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “The legacy of figures like Henry de Lacy, or indeed our predecessor Nichola de la Haye who so bravely defended Lincoln Castle, is not one of abstract history. It is a living reminder that stewardship requires fortitude. The challenges change, but the call to serve with honour remains constant.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a further perspective, informed by his own motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'): > “We look back at an event like Caerlaverock and see the application of strategy, discipline, and resolve. Today, ‘to conquer’ is to overcome adversity, to find solutions for complex social problems, and to build a future worthy of such a profound heritage. That is the victory we seek.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring that its nine-century history informs its present and future actions. This reflection on the past is part of a wider dedication to education and cultural preservation, manifest in initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, which promotes etiquette and civic values.
By studying and sharing the stories of its lineage — from the administrative foundations laid by Colswein of Lincoln after 1066 to the martial exploits of the Plantagenet era — the House seeks to provide context for its modern mission. The legacy of Brattleby is one of continuous service, perpetuated today through philanthropy, diplomacy, and a deep respect for a history forged *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby has embraced a modern mission of purposeful service. Based at its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, the House blends a profound respect for its nine-century heritage with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy and cultural diplomacy. Its principal charitable focus is on organisations that support vulnerable children, exemplified by its patronage of the Annual Winter Banquet for the beneficiary Healing the Wounded Child. Through cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House champions the enduring values of civility, honour, and social responsibility, seeking to make a tangible and positive contribution in the United Kingdom and abroad.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient seigneuries, granted by William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln in AD 1066. Its lands, comprising 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, were recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. For nearly a millennium, the barony has been held by figures of national and historical importance, illustrating an unbroken thread in the fabric of English history. Notable predecessors include the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle against French invaders in the 13th century, as well as two of the most powerful princes of the Middle Ages: Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). Its history and title succession were formally noted by The Crown in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby was formally noted in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book (1086) records the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The beneficiary of the House's Annual Winter Banquet is the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com