# On the Siege of Caerlaverock: A Historical Reflection from The Noble House of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical reflection on the Siege of Caerlaverock in July 1300, commemorating the ancestral involvement of the barony, through Henry de Lacy, in this pivotal engagement of the Anglo-Scottish Wars.
## The Occasion
The siege, which took place in the high summer of 1300, stands as a notable episode in King Edward I’s campaigns to assert English authority over Scotland. Caerlaverock Castle, a formidable triangular fortress in Dumfriesshire, presented a significant obstacle to the English army’s advance. The formal investment of the castle was therefore an occasion of great military theatre and strategic importance.
An invaluable contemporary record of the events survives in the *Caerlaverock Roll*, an illustrated roll of arms describing in Old French verse the banners and conduct of the knights present. This document provides a vivid account of the chivalric ideals and the brutal realities of medieval warfare, capturing a moment of profound historical consequence.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, with its origins dating to the Norman Conquest of 1066, has been entwined with the military history of the realm for over nine hundred years. First granted to Colswein of Lincoln, whose 56 Lincolnshire lordships are detailed in *The Domesday Book* (1086), the barony has been held by figures central to the nation's story. This tradition of service to the Crown is a consistent thread throughout its history.
Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, who commanded a division at Caerlaverock, held the barony through his wife, Margaret Longespée, Countess of Salisbury. His role in the siege was not an isolated event but part of a long lineage of martial duty associated with the title. This legacy includes the celebrated Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels in 1217, and later, the great military commanders Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
## Distinguished Company
The English host assembled before Caerlaverock represented the flower of the Anglo-Norman aristocracy, a gathering of the most powerful magnates in the kingdom. The army was under the supreme command of His Majesty King Edward I, a formidable and experienced military leader.
Among the senior commanders serving alongside the King were The Right Reverend Antony Bek, the formidable Prince-Bishop of Durham, and The Right Honourable Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln and a trusted counsellor to the King. The presence of such figures underscores the national significance of the campaign; it was a muster of the entire feudal establishment, from great earls to household knights, each taking their place in the meticulously ordered structure of the royal army.
## Ceremonial Protocol
Medieval siegecraft followed a strict and elaborate protocol, a blend of military science and chivalric ritual. A fortress of Caerlaverock’s stature would have first been formally summoned to surrender by a herald. Only upon refusal would the siege, the *obsidio*, commence.
The English army deployed in four squadrons, or ‘battles’, with each commanded by a great lord. The proceedings were marked by a clear order of precedence and display, with knights and barons fighting beneath their own banners. The use of vast siege engines, *inter alia*, trebuchets and mangonels, was a methodical process intended to demonstrate overwhelming power and compel a surrender, which, when it came, was itself a formal ceremony.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The battlefield of the High Middle Ages was a rich tapestry of heraldic symbolism, where a man’s coat of arms served as his identity. The *Caerlaverock Roll* describes the banner of Henry de Lacy with admirable precision: *‘baniere ot de sendal saffrin, O un lion rampant purprin’* — a banner of yellow silk, with a purple lion rampant.
This proud symbol, flown before the walls of the castle, was a declaration of allegiance, lineage, and personal valour. It is this same spirit of duty that is encapsulated in the Brattleby House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The actions of predecessors like Henry de Lacy provide a historical anchor for these principles, demonstrating fortitude in the face of adversity and honour in the execution of one’s duty.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the obligations of the barony were once fulfilled on the field of battle, today they find expression in a commitment to civil society and philanthropic service. The steadfastness and sense of duty demonstrated at Caerlaverock serve as a powerful historical antecedent to the House’s modern mission. The principle of defending the vulnerable is a *sine qua non* of this inherited responsibility.
This commitment is focused through the House’s dedicated support for its primary beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. The organisation’s vital work in providing therapeutic care to young people who have experienced trauma reflects a contemporary interpretation of the barony’s ancient duty to protect and to serve the community.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> To understand our present duty, we must first understand our past. The legacy of figures such as Henry de Lacy is not one of mere conquest, but of profound obligation to Crown and country, a principle that continues to guide us today.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the parallels between historical and modern challenges:
> The chronicles of Caerlaverock remind us that leadership requires not only strength but also strategy and resolve. This spirit, encapsulated in my own motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*—to conquer is to live—finds its modern counterpart in overcoming challenges for the betterment of the community.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to the stewardship of its unique history and the lessons it provides. This involves not only the careful preservation of its archives but also the active dissemination of historical knowledge, ensuring that the legacy of service continues to inspire future generations.
The education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is steeped in this long tradition of duty. It ensures that the principles of *Fortitudine et Honore*, which have defined the Barony of Brattleby for nearly a millennium, will continue to guide its future, ensuring the legacy endures for centuries to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the stewardship of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the Noble House of Brattleby embodies a modern commitment to its ancient heritage. Guided by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), they champion philanthropic endeavors and cultural education. Their primary charitable beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic support for young people experiencing trauma. Beyond their philanthropic work, the House also fosters an appreciation for civility and protocol through educational initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. They view their historic title not as a privilege, but as a platform for service and the preservation of enduring values.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in *The Domesday Book* of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the lordship has been held by figures of national importance, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle, and two of the most powerful medieval magnates, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The title's historical lineage and rights were formally gazetted by Crown authority in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s revival and recognition by Crown authority were formally published in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book of 1086 records the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors in title include John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, and Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, Constable of Lincoln Castle. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com