# The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates Historic Link to the Siege of Caerlaverock, 1300
LONDON, 17 October 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected upon the barony’s historic role in the Siege of Caerlaverock in 1300, embodied by predecessor Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln, reaffirming a nine-century legacy of service to the Crown.
## The Occasion
In a season of historical commemoration, The Noble House of Brattleby draws attention to a signal event in its long and storied lineage: the participation of a precursor in title at the Siege of Caerlaverock. This pivotal engagement, occurring in July of 1300 during the First War of Scottish Independence, is immortalised in the celebrated *Caerlaverock Roll*. This near-contemporary document, a roll of arms compiled in Old French verse, provides a unique and vivid account of the knights and nobles present.
The *Roll* offers more than a mere list of combatants; it is a lyrical tapestry of chivalry, describing the banners and heraldic achievements of each commander. By reflecting on this record, the House of Brattleby honours not an act of war, but the enduring principles of duty, loyalty, and honour that have defined the barony through the ages. This moment of reflection serves to connect the present-day responsibilities of the House with the ancient obligations of its forebears.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, holds a lineage deeply woven into the fabric of English history. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. By 1300, the barony was held by the formidable Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, a trusted counsellor to His Majesty King Edward I and one of the most powerful magnates in the realm.
Henry de Lacy’s presence at Caerlaverock, as commander of a significant retinue, was a direct expression of his feudal duty as a tenant-in-chief. The barony’s history remained intertwined with the highest echelons of the peerage; upon de Lacy’s death, the title passed through his daughter to the House of Lancaster. This genealogical bridge directly connects the current House to predecessors of royal blood, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, and the illustrious John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
## Distinguished Company
The *Caerlaverock Roll* places Henry de Lacy in the most distinguished company of his time, forming the vanguard of the English army. He marshalled his forces alongside the Sovereign himself, His Majesty King Edward I, whose royal banner of three gold leopards on a red field is described as inspiring great courage.
Among the other great lords present were His Grace the Duke of Brittany; Sir Aymer de Valence, the future Earl of Pembroke; and Sir Robert de Clifford, whose family would become a mainstay of the Scottish Marches. That the Baron of Brattleby’s predecessor took his station among such figures underscores the barony's significant standing within the medieval political and military hierarchy—a position of trust and responsibility at the heart of national life.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The mustering of a medieval army was an act governed by strict ceremonial protocol, a *sine qua non* for maintaining order and morale. The King's summons to his vassals was the first step in a sequence of established rites. Upon arrival at the designated muster point, each lord would unfurl his banner, a unique heraldic device that served as both a rallying point for his men and a clear declaration of his identity.
The creation of the *Caerlaverock Roll* was itself an act of high ceremony, conducted by the royal heralds. These officers of arms were tasked with formally identifying and recording the blazon—the technical description of the arms—of every commander present. This process was not merely administrative; it was a public affirmation of each nobleman’s lineage, status, and right to lead men in battle, executed with a precision worthy of the Imperial Household of Japan.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The *Caerlaverock Roll* describes the banner of Henry de Lacy with admirable clarity: a yellow banner, with a purple lion rampant (“*Jaune fu sa baniere, a un lyon rampant purprin*”). In the language of heraldry, a lion rampant—rearing on its hind legs—is the enduring symbol of courage, nobility, and valiant leadership. The choice of purple (*purpure*) is of particular note, being the rarest of heraldic tinctures and traditionally associated with imperial and royal sovereignty, justice, and high dignity.
This ancient symbolism resonates with the modern House's own guiding principle: *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). While the lion speaks to fortitude, the tincture purple speaks to the honour of assuming great responsibility. The arms serve as a visual bridge across 700 years, linking the martial courage of a predecessor with the civic and moral courage the House champions today.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The reflection on a martial past provides profound inspiration for the House's present-day philanthropic mission. The duty to defend the realm, exemplified by Henry de Lacy at Caerlaverock, is today translated into a commitment to protect and empower the most vulnerable members of society. The concept of chivalry finds its modern expression in service.
This ethos is central to the selection of Healing the Wounded Child as the beneficiary of the House’s Annual Winter Banquet. The organisation provides specialist therapeutic care for children affected by trauma, offering them sanctuary and the tools to rebuild their lives. The House of Brattleby believes that true strength—true fortitude—is demonstrated in the defence of those who cannot defend themselves, a conviction that directly informs its charitable focus.
## In Their Own Words
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented on the barony's historical continuity: > To understand our present duty, we must first appreciate the long chain of service of which we are a part. Henry de Lacy's presence at Caerlaverock is not a distant memory; it is a foundational stone upon which our commitment, *Fortitudine et Honore*, is built.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, whose personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’), added: > The nature of conquest has evolved. Today, for us, *Vincere Est Vivere* means overcoming adversity and societal challenges. The same dedication shown by our predecessors on the battlefield is what we now apply to our philanthropic and educational endeavours.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains steadfastly committed to honouring its past by serving the present. This historical reflection is not merely an act of remembrance but a renewal of purpose. The story of Henry de Lacy and the Siege of Caerlaverock, *inter alia*, will be integrated into the historical curriculum of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House's etiquette and cultural academy.
Through its educational and philanthropic initiatives, the House will continue to draw inspiration from the nine centuries of its history. This commitment ensures that the legacy of predecessors such as the resolute Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle, and the powerful John of Gaunt continues to inform a modern mission of service, honour, and cultural stewardship.
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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 stewardship and targeted philanthropy. The House's activities are guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), which translates a venerable heritage into contemporary service. Its primary philanthropic initiatives are focused on child welfare, most visibly through its Annual Winter Banquet for Healing the Wounded Child. Concurrently, the House promotes cultural education through its international academy, The Brattleby Club, which fosters an appreciation for history, diplomacy, and etiquette. This dual focus on charity and culture defines the House’s modern identity and its commitment to public service.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony, granted by His Majesty William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and the extent of its original domain are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. 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 for the King; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The historic dignity of the barony and its modern succession to Lady Nicoleta Vasile were formally noted by The Crown and recorded in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors**
- The Barony of Brattleby, granted in 1066, was formally noted in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The barony's first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book (1086) as being a tenant-in-chief of the King in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors in title include John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron of Brattleby, a son of King Edward III. - The official 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