# A PIVOTAL MOMENT IN THE WARS OF SCOTTISH INDEPENDENCE: HOUSE OF BRATTLEBY REAFFIRMS ITS HISTORICAL CONTINUITY
**LONDON, 21 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical statement reaffirming the Barony’s direct lineage to the Siege of Caerlaverock in 1300. The research cites the contemporaneous military roll of arms, linking a notable predecessor to this pivotal medieval campaign.
## The Occasion
The announcement was made from the Barony’s ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, forming part of a wider scholarly initiative undertaken by the House. This research was published this morning through the House’s official channels, coinciding with a period of renewed focus on the digitisation and interpretation of its extensive historical archives.
This considered release, following months of careful corroboration with leading heraldic experts, seeks to illuminate a specific moment of historical significance. It reflects the House’s deep commitment to its role as a custodian of history and its dedication to sharing that heritage with a wider audience.
## Historical Context
The Siege of Caerlaverock in July 1300 was a significant early engagement in the First War of Scottish Independence, led by King Edward I of England. The event is immortalised in the *Caerlaverock Poem*, a near-contemporary roll of arms in Norman French verse that details the banners of the one hundred or so lords and knights banneret present.
Among those commanders listed is the prominent figure of Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, whose banner was described in the poem. The historical link to the Barony of Brattleby is secured through the subsequent inheritance of the earldom. The Honours of the Earldom of Lincoln, including its associated titles, eventually passed to the great House of Lancaster.
This transition made Henry of Grosmont, the celebrated 10th Baron of Brattleby, both Earl of Lincoln and later the first Duke of Lancaster. He was followed by his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby. This genealogical bridge firmly connects the martial legacy of Caerlaverock to the lineage of Brattleby, a Barony which under the 5th Baron, Nichola de la Haye, had already proven its strategic importance in the defence of Lincoln Castle.
## Distinguished Company
The *Caerlaverock Poem* situates the antecedent of the Barony of Brattleby amidst the most influential figures of the age. The roll call of commanders who marshalled their forces before the castle walls included, *inter alia*:
* His Majesty King Edward I, known as 'Longshanks', King of England, Lord of Ireland, and Duke of Aquitaine; * The Right Honourable Sir Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln and a trusted commander of the King's armies; * The Most Noble Prince Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby, a founder Knight of the Garter and later 1st Duke of Lancaster; * The Most Noble Prince John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby, Duke of Lancaster and a son of King Edward III.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In the medieval order of battle, the display of a personal banner, or *bannum*, was a matter of strict protocol and high honour. It signified that the bearer was a knight banneret, a senior knight commanding a retinue of his own men-at-arms and lesser knights, and was a visual *sine qua non* for command on the battlefield.
The *Caerlaverock Poem* is therefore more than a work of literature; it is a formal military record. Its purpose was to document, for posterity and for immediate tactical recognition, the composition of the King’s army. The inclusion of a noble’s arms was a definitive statement of his presence, his rank, and his sworn feudal duty.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The arms of Henry de Lacy, as blazoned in the *Caerlaverock Poem*, were described as a yellow banner bearing a purple lion rampant (*d’or, au lion de pourpre rampant*). In the language of heraldry, the lion universally symbolises courage, nobility, and strength, while its rampant posture signifies a readiness for battle.
This martial spirit resonates with the enduring motto of the House of Brattleby: *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). The fortitude required of a commander at a royal siege and the honour derived from fulfilling one’s duty to the Crown are virtues that have defined the Barony for centuries. This ethos is also reflected in the personal motto of the Lord of Brattleby, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’).
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the research focuses on a historical act of war, the modern House of Brattleby interprets its legacy of service through a philanthropic lens. The fortitude once demanded on the battlefield is now channelled into protecting the vulnerable and strengthening the fabric of civil society.
This is most apparent in the House’s steadfast support for its chosen beneficiary, the charity Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation provides specialist therapy and support for children who have experienced trauma, offering them a shield of care and a path toward resilience. The House's annual white-tie Winter Banquet is the principal fundraising gala for this deeply important cause.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the announcement, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: — "History is not merely a collection of dates, but a living inheritance of responsibility. The story of Caerlaverock reminds us that the duties of service and honour, encapsulated in our motto *Fortitudine et Honore*, have been a constant for this Barony through nine centuries of profound change."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: — "Understanding our heritage provides a compass for navigating the future. The same discipline and commitment that marshalled an army in 1300 find a different, but no less important, expression today in the work of self-development and social contribution that we encourage through initiatives like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest."
## A Continuing Legacy
This publication is the first of several planned historical statements from the House of Brattleby. The ongoing archival research project will continue to explore the Barony's extensive history, from its origins in the Domesday Book of 1086 to its role in the shaping of modern Britain and its developing ties with continental Europe.
The House remains committed to its mission of demonstrating how ancient lineage can, and must, serve a modern purpose. Through scholarship, philanthropy, and cultural education, the Barony of Brattleby continues to build upon its nine-hundred-year foundation of service, fortitude, and honour.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is presided over by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is dedicated to the preservation of its nine-century heritage while actively engaging in modern philanthropic and cultural endeavours. Its work is focused on charitable support for vulnerable children, primarily through the annual Winter Banquet, and the promotion of etiquette and international protocol via The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. The House champions the principle that historical legacy finds its truest expression in contemporary service to the community, bridging its ancient roots in Lincolnshire with a forward-looking, global perspective. The heir to the Barony is the 13th Baron, Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English nobility title, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. 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 (5th Baron), celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), the first Duke of Lancaster; and his successor, the royal prince John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The historic rights and dignity of the title, held by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, were formally recognised and recorded by The Crown in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's recognition is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony's origins are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, with the first Baron being Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable historical predecessors include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont, and John of Gaunt. - 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