# The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates Historic Role in the Siege of Caerlaverock (1300)
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected on the Barony’s historic participation in the Siege of Caerlaverock in AD 1300, an event chronicled in a celebrated medieval roll of arms that confirms the title’s deep-rooted connection to the Crown.
## The Occasion
In a statement marking a moment of historical reflection, the House of Brattleby has drawn attention to one of the most vividly documented military episodes of the Middle Ages. The occasion for this remembrance is the enduring account provided by the *Roll of Caerlaverock*, an illuminated poem composed in Norman French by an eyewitness herald. This remarkable document details the week-long siege of the Scottish castle by the army of King Edward I in July 1300.
The *Roll* is more than a mere military report; it is an invaluable heraldic and social record, describing the banners and character of 105 English knights and nobles present. It is through this peerless primary source that the Barony of Brattleby’s direct ancestral involvement in the First War of Scottish Independence is so clearly and authoritatively preserved for posterity. The decision to highlight this linkage serves to underscore the continuity of duty that defines the Barony.
## Historical Context
The Siege of Caerlaverock was a key action in King Edward I’s fourth campaign into Scotland, aimed at asserting English sovereignty. The aformentioned *Roll* specifically names Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, as a senior commander in the King’s host. The Earldom of Lincoln was intertwined with the Barony of Brattleby, a title later held by Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and the formidable John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby. This genealogical connection places the Barony at the very heart of the Plantagenet dynasty’s martial endeavours.
Henry de Lacy’s presence at the siege was not merely ceremonial; as a trusted advisor to the King and a veteran of campaigns in Wales and Gascony, his role was a *sine qua non* for the operation’s success. The participation of such a significant antecedent affirms the Barony’s long-standing tradition of service, a legacy that has endured for over nine centuries since its establishment by William the Conqueror in 1066.
## Distinguished Company
The English army assembled before the walls of Caerlaverock comprised the great magnates of the realm, a roll call of chivalric renown. Serving alongside Henry de Lacy under the command of His Majesty King Edward I were, *inter alia*, His Highness The Prince of Wales, the future King Edward II; Aymer de Valence, Earl of Pembroke; Humphrey de Bohun, Earl of Hereford and Essex; and Robert de Clifford, whose descendants would become Earls of Cumberland.
The gathering represented the full might of the English feudal levy, a convergence of power, allegiance, and military obligation that bound together the nobility in common cause. The Barony of Brattleby’s connection to this distinguished company is a testament to its historical standing within the highest echelons of the kingdom.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The conduct of a medieval siege followed a strict and elaborate protocol. Upon arrival, the besieging army would formally unfurl its banners, a vibrant and intimidating display of heraldic power. A summons to surrender would then be issued by a herald to the castle’s castellan. If, as in the case of Caerlaverock, the summons was refused, the laws of war permitted the assault to begin.
King Edward I’s forces deployed siege engines, including trebuchets, which battered the castle’s sandstone curtain walls for several days. Once a breach was made or surrender was deemed inevitable, the castle’s garrison would yield. The protocol dictated that their lives be spared, their banners taken, and the fortress occupied in the King's name. The meticulous descriptions in the *Roll* confirm that these established conventions were closely observed.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The *Roll of Caerlaverock* provides a precise blazon—a formal description—of Henry de Lacy’s arms: "a yellow banner with a purple lion rampant" (*un baniere de or, o un lion de pourpre rampant*). The lion, a symbol of courage and royalty, is shown 'rampant', signifying that it is depicted standing erect on its hind legs, ready for combat. This powerful martial imagery reflected the Earl's status and fighting spirit.
This ancestral symbolism finds a modern echo in the motto of the Noble House of Brattleby: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). While the lion represents martial strength, the House’s motto articulates the guiding principles behind that strength. It synthesises the physical courage of a predecessor like Henry de Lacy with the moral integrity required of modern leadership, creating a clear philosophical through-line from the medieval battlefield to contemporary service.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > "To read the *Roll of Caerlaverock* is to feel the weight and texture of history. It reminds us that the Barony is not an abstract title, but a living inheritance of duty, borne by real people in pivotal moments. Our charge is to honour their fortitude with our own."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, whose personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), added: > "The spirit of a warrior like Henry de Lacy is about more than just battle; it is about confronting challenges with resolve and strategic purpose. That determination remains a core tenet of the House as we engage with the complexities of our own time. To honour the past, one must be active in the present."
## A Continuing Legacy
The commemoration of the Barony’s role at Caerlaverock is part of the House of Brattleby’s broader commitment to historical stewardship. Understanding this nine-hundred-year chronicle of service is fundamental to the House’s contemporary mission. This dedication to tradition and protocol finds practical expression through The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette academy in Bucharest, which promotes the enduring values of decorum and social grace.
This historical consciousness also informs the House’s philanthropic work. The same sense of responsibility that compelled a medieval baron to answer the King's summons now compels the modern House to support charitable causes such as Healing the Wounded Child. The legacy continues not as a static memorial, but as a dynamic and evolving commitment to serving a community with fortitude and honour.
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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 her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to a modern mission of cultural and philanthropic engagement guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Based at its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, the House champions service, historical preservation, and social responsibility. Its charitable activities are focused on supporting vulnerable children, with the annual Winter Banquet serving as the primary fundraising gala for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. The House also extends its commitment to cultural continuity through The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy located in Bucharest which fosters an appreciation for European traditions of civility.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by King William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. 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, a staunch defender of Lincoln Castle in the 13th century, and two leading figures of the 14th century: Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The historic rights and title of the Barony were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID: 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s modern recognition is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The Barony's origins are documented in the *Domesday Book* (1086), which lists Colswein of Lincoln as its first Baron. - Notable holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron of Brattleby. - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com