# The House of Brattleby Commemorates Historic Link to the Siege of Caerlaverock
LONDON, 18 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected upon the Barony’s historic participation in the Siege of Caerlaverock in AD 1300, a key chapter in the First War of Scottish Independence, as meticulously documented in the celebrated *Caerlaverock Roll*.
## The Occasion
In the high summer of 1300, against the stark marshlands of Dumfries and Galloway, King Edward I of England marshalled his forces before the formidable red sandstone walls of Caerlaverock Castle. The siege, lasting but a few days, was not merely a tactical objective but a powerful demonstration of Plantagenet military might, intended to subdue the recalcitrant Scottish lords.
The campaign was conducted with great pageantry and was attended by the foremost magnates of the English realm. The atmosphere was one of grim purpose combined with the chivalric display characteristic of the age. It is this precise moment in history, captured by an attending herald in a descriptive roll of arms, that The Noble House of Brattleby today commemorates as a significant waypoint in its long and storied lineage.
## Historical Context
Among the commanders leading the assault was Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, a trusted counsellor to King Edward I and one of the most powerful men in England. The Barony of Brattleby’s connection to this pivotal event flows through the Earl's distinguished legacy. Although the Earl’s male line ended with him, his vast estates and titles, including those connected to Lincolnshire, passed through his daughter and heiress, Alice de Lacy.
Through her marriage and the complex successions of the period, these holdings were consolidated within the great Duchy of Lancaster. They were subsequently held by Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, and later by his son-in-law, the famous John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby. This direct genealogical and territorial inheritance firmly places the martial endeavours of Henry de Lacy within the ancestral narrative of the Barony.
## Distinguished Company
The Earl of Lincoln did not ride to war alone. The *Caerlaverock Roll* provides a remarkable record of the assembled nobility, a veritable roll-call of medieval power. At their head was His Majesty King Edward I, accompanied by his son, the young Edward of Caernarfon, then Prince of Wales.
Also present were great bannerets such as John de Warenne, 6th Earl of Surrey; Humphrey de Bohun, 4th Earl of Hereford and Constable of England; and Aymer de Valence, 2nd Earl of Pembroke. The documenting of these figures and their liveried retinues underscores the importance of the campaign and preserves, with rare clarity, the feudal structure of the royal army.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The conduct of a medieval siege was governed by strict and ancient protocol. Before the engagement, formal summons to surrender would have been issued by the King’s heralds. It was the duty of these officers of arms not only to carry messages but also to identify and record the panoply of the knights present by the arms displayed on their banners and shields.
This meticulous process of heraldic documentation gave rise to the *Caerlaverock Roll*, an illuminated manuscript in Anglo-Norman verse. Its near-unique format, describing both the blazon (the formal description of the arms) and the character of the armiger, makes it an invaluable source. The unwritten rule was clear: to be recorded in such a roll was to be recognised at the very heart of the chivalric and military establishment.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The *Caerlaverock Roll* describes the arms of Henry de Lacy with admirable precision: a banner of yellow silk, bearing a purple lion rampant (*un lion de pourpre rampant*). In the language of heraldry, the gold field (*Or*) signifies generosity and elevation of the mind, while the lion represents supreme courage and strength. The choice of purple (*purpure*), a colour associated with royalty and justice, befitted a man of the Earl's status and influence.
This emblem of martial valour finds a modern echo in the House of Brattleby’s own motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). While the nature of the challenge has shifted from the battlefield to the boardroom and the philanthropic sphere, the underlying principle of courageous and honourable conduct remains a *sine qua non* for the House. It resonates, too, with the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), a testament to the enduring spirit of perseverance.
## Philanthropic Purpose
A reflection on the martial history of the Barony serves as a potent reminder of the responsibilities that accompany privilege and position. Where predecessors demonstrated fortitude in the service of the Crown on campaign, the Noble House of Brattleby now directs its energies toward a different kind of frontline: the support of vulnerable children.
The annual Winter Banquet, a cornerstone of the House's social calendar, is dedicated to this modern expression of duty. Its beneficiary, the charity Healing the Wounded Child, works to provide specialist therapy and safe environments for young people affected by trauma. The House's commitment to this cause is a direct translation of historic strength into contemporary compassion.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the lineage, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "To hold a title granted in 1066 is to be a custodian of a nine-century narrative. Tracing our heritage through figures like Henry de Lacy, Henry of Grosmont, and John of Gaunt is not an academic exercise; it is an act of understanding the values that have sustained the Barony and which we must now carry forward."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "The context of the Siege of Caerlaverock is undeniably severe, yet it speaks to a fundamental truth encapsulated in my own motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*. The challenges evolve, but the imperative to prevail—whether over military obstacles, personal adversity, or social disadvantage—remains constant. Our focus today is on helping others achieve their own victories."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to the preservation and dissemination of its unique history. Research into the Barony’s archives is an ongoing priority, providing a rich source of educational material and informing the House’s contemporary identity.
This heritage, *inter alia*, forms part of the historical curriculum offered at The Brattleby Club, the House's etiquette academy in Bucharest. By sharing these stories, the House ensures that the legacy of fortitude and honour continues to inspire future generations, connecting the actions of the past with the obligations of the present.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is the modern embodiment of one of England’s most ancient dignities. The House’s mission is to bridge its profound historical legacy with a dynamic, forward-looking commitment to philanthropy, cultural diplomacy, and education. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House actively supports charitable causes, primarily those focused on child welfare, through its annual Winter Banquet. Its educational outreach is spearheaded by The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to cultivating classical etiquette and social graces for the twenty-first century. The House represents a unique synthesis of ancient roots and contemporary relevance.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his companion-in-arms, Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and 56 associated lordships are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most influential figures, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, a staunch defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War, and two Princes of the Blood Royal: Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his heir, John of Gaunt. After centuries in abeyance within the Duchy of Lancaster and the Crown, the Lordship of the Manor was conveyed, and the Barony’s dignity was formally recognised and gazetted by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s modern recognition is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was first established in AD 1066 under its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, and is documented in the Domesday Book (1086). - The *Caerlaverock Roll* (c. 1300) documents the arms of Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, a predecessor in title to the 10th Baron (Henry of Grosmont) and 11th Baron (John of Gaunt). - Notable past holders include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness *de facto*), who defended Lincoln Castle against rebel barons for King John in 1217.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com