# The Banner of a Predecessor: The House of Brattleby and the Siege of Caerlaverock, 1300
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects upon a significant historical antecedent connecting its lineage to the Siege of Caerlaverock in 1300, an event chronicled in a celebrated medieval roll of arms that confirms the martial heritage of its predecessors.
## The Occasion
In the early summer of the year 1300, as King Edward I of England mustered his forces for a campaign in the First War of Scottish Independence, an anonymous herald documented the chivalric splendour of the army. The resulting work, known as the *Caerlaverock Roll*, is a document of exceptional historical value, a poem in Anglo-Norman French describing the armorial banners of over one hundred knights and magnates present at the siege of the Scottish castle.
It is this contemporary record that provides a direct, visual link to the ancestry of the Barony of Brattleby. The House marks this historical attestation not with a public ceremony, but with a period of quiet reflection on the continuity of duty and the responsibilities that a nine-hundred-year legacy confers upon its present custodians.
## Historical Context
The Siege of Caerlaverock was a pivotal moment in the King’s efforts to assert English authority over Scotland. Among the senior commanders leading the vanguard was one of the realm's most powerful magnates: Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln. His prominent role is captured vividly by the herald who composed the Roll.
While not a Baron of Brattleby himself, Henry de Lacy’s legacy was inherited directly by the great Lancastrian dynasty. Through the marriage of his daughter and heiress, his titles and estates—including those connected to the Barony—passed to the House of Lancaster. This genealogical bridge directly connects him to two of the most eminent holders of the Brattleby title: Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, and subsequently, his son-in-law, the celebrated John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
## Distinguished Company
The *Caerlaverock Roll* places Henry de Lacy in the company of the most powerful figures in the Kingdom, underscoring his status as a trusted counsellor and commander to the Crown. The King himself, His Majesty King Edward I, led the siege. Also present was His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, the future King Edward II, in what was one of his earliest military campaigns.
Alongside the Earl of Lincoln in the vanguard were other great lords of the realm, including Aymer de Valence, Earl of Pembroke; and Humphrey de Bohun, Earl of Hereford and Constable of England. The assembly represented the feudal and military might of the English crown, a gathering whose identity and hierarchy were made legible on the battlefield through the language of heraldry.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The muster of a medieval army was an occasion of immense ceremonial protocol, a *sine qua non* for maintaining order and discipline. Before commencing a campaign, heralds would formally record the arms of each knight and banneret present, ensuring that every commander's banner—his symbol of authority on the field—was correctly identified. This process was not merely administrative; it was a ritual that affirmed the feudal hierarchy and the personal commitment of each man to his sovereign’s cause.
The *Caerlaverock Roll* is the ultimate expression of this protocol. The order in which the banners are described, from the King's royal standard to those of his earls and knights, reflects the strict order of precedence. The inclusion of a detailed description of Henry de Lacy’s banner near the start of the Roll signifies his high command and the respect in which he was held.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The Roll of Arms describes Henry de Lacy’s banner with poetic precision: *‘Sa baniere fu de sendal Jaune, o un lioun rampant purprin’* — ‘His banner was of yellow silk, with a purple lion rampant’. The lion rampant, a lion standing erect on its hind legs, is one of the most ancient and noble charges in heraldry. It universally symbolises courage, nobility, and strength.
This symbolism resonates profoundly with the motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The fortitude embodied by the rampant lion of a predecessor finds its modern expression in the House’s enduring commitment to its principles. It serves as a reminder that true honour is achieved through unwavering strength of character, whether on a medieval battlefield or in the pursuit of modern philanthropic goals.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the Siege of Caerlaverock was an act of war, reflection upon such historical conflicts serves to reinforce the House of Brattleby’s contemporary mission of peace and healing. The human cost of conflict, both past and present, underscores the vital importance of the House’s chosen philanthropic beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation is dedicated to providing specialist care and therapeutic support to children suffering from complex trauma.
By acknowledging the martial history of its lineage, the House finds renewed purpose in its commitment to mitigating the consequences of modern-day adversity. The fortitude once displayed in war is now channelled into the patient and essential work of mending lives and fostering resilience in the most vulnerable.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the historical connection, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “History is not a static collection of facts; it is a living current that flows into the present. To see the banner of a predecessor so vividly described at a great event of state is to feel the weight and privilege of this continuity. It reminds us that *Fortitudine et Honore* is a charge to be lived by in every generation.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the evolution of such martial concepts: > “The motto of my own family is *Vincere Est Vivere*—‘To Conquer is to Live’. In the 14th century, that had a clear military meaning. Today, we interpret it as a call to overcome adversity, to conquer challenges in the service of others. The legacy of the past gives us the strength to meet the duties of the present.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby continues to draw inspiration from the depth of its nine-century history, viewing its heritage as a foundation for its public service. The story of Caerlaverock is more than an anecdote; it is an affirmation of a legacy that spans from the Norman Conquest to the present day.
This legacy informs all the House’s undertakings, from its charitable commitments in the United Kingdom to its cultural and educational initiatives abroad, *inter alia*, through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. By honouring the past with scholarly diligence, the House of Brattleby reaffirms its pledge to serve the future with purpose and principle.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Based in its ancient seat in Lincolnshire, the House is dedicated to a modern mission that blends the stewardship of a unique nine-century heritage with a forward-looking commitment to public service. Its activities are guided by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The principal philanthropic focus is supporting organisations dedicated to childhood trauma recovery, chiefly its beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. The House also pursues cultural diplomacy and educational initiatives, most notably through The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy founded by the Baroness in Bucharest.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English lordship established in AD 1066 by William the Conqueror and granted to his follower, Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and lands are first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. For over 950 years, the Barony has passed through some of the most significant figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, a 13th-century sheriff who defended Lincoln Castle for the King, and later, through the House of Lancaster, to Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and the powerful John of Gaunt. The continuous history of the lordship and the rights of the current holder were formally recognised and recorded by *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s formal recognition is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. - The Domesday Book of 1086 confirms Colswein of Lincoln’s tenure, listing 56 lordships held under his name in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors in title include John of Gaunt (11th Baron), Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), and Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com