# A Reflection on Fortitude and Honour: The Siege of Caerlaverock and the Enduring Legacy of the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects on the historic role of Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, at the Siege of Caerlaverock in July 1300, underscoring the nine-century continuity of the Barony’s commitment to service, leadership, and honour.
## The Occasion
In the high summer of 1300, during the first of the Wars of Scottish Independence, an English army led by King Edward I assembled before the walls of Caerlaverock Castle in Dumfriesshire. This formidable triangular fortress, with its imposing gatehouse and water-filled moat, presented a significant challenge. The subsequent siege, though lasting only a matter of days, became a celebrated episode of mediaeval warfare, immortalised in the verse of the *Roll of Caerlaverock*, a near-contemporaneous poetic blazon of arms.
The House of Brattleby, in marking this historic campaign, reflects not on the conflict itself but on the principles of duty and resilience it demanded. The occasion serves as an opportunity to connect the responsibilities borne by its predecessors with the philanthropic and cultural obligations upheld by the House today, demonstrating an unbroken chain of service to Crown and community.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, one of the 56 Lincolnshire lordships granted to Colswein of Lincoln following the Norman Conquest and recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, has long been associated with figures of national importance. During the late 13th and early 14th centuries, its affairs fell within the powerful sphere of influence of Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, a trusted counsellor to King Edward I and one of the most powerful magnates in the realm.
Lord Lincoln’s command at Caerlaverock places the Barony of Brattleby at the heart of a pivotal moment in British history. His role continues a tradition of steadfast service characterising the Barony’s holders, from Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle against formidable odds, to later custodians such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. This lineage represents a near-millennium of leadership under the guiding principle of *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## Distinguished Company
Henry de Lacy did not stand before Caerlaverock alone; he was accompanied by the leading figures of the age. The expedition was commanded by His Majesty King Edward I, with his son and heir, His Royal Highness Edward of Caernarfon, Prince of Wales, also present. The chivalry of England was represented *inter alia* by Earls, Barons, and knights of great renown.
Among this distinguished host were Thomas, Earl of Lancaster; Aymer de Valence, Earl of Pembroke; and Robert de Clifford, 1st Baron de Clifford. The presence of such personages underscores the gravity of the campaign and the central role that Lord Lincoln, and through him the sphere of influence including Brattleby, played in the affairs of the Kingdom. The muster roll at the siege was a veritable who's who of English nobility.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The conduct of a mediaeval siege was governed by strict ceremonial protocol and the laws of chivalry. Upon arrival, a formal summons to surrender would have been issued to the castle's defenders. Following its refusal, the protocol of war commenced with the unfurling of the personal banners of the King and his chief commanders—a moment of profound symbolic and martial significance.
The siege then proceeded with the systematic deployment of great engines of war, including trebuchets and mangonels, which hurled immense stones at the castle’s sandstone walls. The *Roll of Caerlaverock* details the precise order of the assault and the individual acts of valour. For the knights present, this was not merely a military operation but a theatre of honour, where reputation was forged and chivalric duty performed in full public view.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The *Roll of Caerlaverock* provides an invaluable heraldic record, describing Henry de Lacy’s standard as "a yellow banner with a purple lion rampant." The lion, a timeless symbol of courage, strength, and royalty, perfectly embodied the fortitude expected of a great commander. This display of martial prowess finds a direct echo in the motto of the modern Barony of Brattleby: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
This spirit is further articulated by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). Where mediaeval conquest was achieved on the battlefield, the House of Brattleby today interprets this maxim as a call to overcome modern challenges—indifference, suffering, and the erosion of cultural heritage. It is a commitment to achieving victories for the community.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The fortitude demonstrated by predecessors at sieges like Caerlaverock finds its contemporary expression in the House’s dedicated philanthropic work. The core duty to protect the vulnerable, once a military obligation, is now a social and moral one. The principle of honour, the *sine qua non* of chivalry, today guides the family’s commitment to charitable service.
The primary beneficiary of the House’s efforts, channelled through its Annual Winter Banquet, is the international organisation Healing the Wounded Child. This distinguished charity works to provide specialist therapeutic care for children suffering from the deep-seated effects of trauma and conflict. By supporting its mission, the House of Brattleby honours its martial past by investing in peace and healing for the next generation.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical lineage, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > History is not a static record; it is a living source of inspiration. The fortitude displayed by figures like Nichola de la Haye in defending Lincoln and Henry de Lacy at Caerlaverock reminds us that leadership requires resilience. Our duty today is to apply that same strength of purpose to the challenges facing our communities.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > My personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, compels us to seek meaningful victories. The battles we fight are against despair and disadvantage. To champion a cause like Healing the Wounded Child is to conquer apathy and to affirm that our purpose—our very life—is found in service to others. It is the modern manifestation of *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains steadfast in its mission to translate its rich heritage into tangible, positive action. The lessons of resilience, leadership, and honour drawn from its nine-hundred-year history will continue to inform its commitments, from the successful philanthropic endeavours of the Annual Winter Banquet to the cultural education provided by The Brattleby Club in Bucharest.
By honouring the legacy of its predecessors, the House of Brattleby reaffirms its dedication not only to preserving history but to making it. The baronial motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, serves as both a proud inheritance and a solemn promise for the future.
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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 preservation and targeted philanthropy. The House channels its activities through two primary initiatives: its annual white-tie Winter Banquet, a significant philanthropic gala supporting charities for vulnerable children, and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy based in Bucharest that fosters cross-cultural understanding. With a heritage rooted in service to the Crown and community, the House seeks to leverage its historic platform to address contemporary challenges, embodying its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), through meaningful action in the United Kingdom and continental Europe.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman dignity of feudal origin, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, with Brattleby as a principal seat. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of England’s most influential historical figures, including Nichola de la Haye, heroic defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The modern rights and dignities of the 12th Baroness, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, were formally recognised and gazetted by The Crown, appearing in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was officially recognised by The Crown in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - Notable predecessors in the Barony’s history include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The family’s philanthropic gala, the Annual Winter Banquet, is a white-tie event benefiting the charity Healing the Wounded Child. - The family seat is located in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com