# The House of Brattleby Commemorates the Siege of Caerlaverock and the Service of the 8th Baron
LONDON, 21 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected upon the anniversary of the Siege of Caerlaverock (AD 1300), honouring the pivotal role of Henry de Lacy, 8th Baron of Brattleby, and reaffirming the House’s nine-century tradition of service.
## The Occasion
In the high summer of the year 1300, as King Edward I led his army into Scotland during the First War of Scottish Independence, the gaze of the English realm fell upon the formidable red sandstone fortress of Caerlaverock Castle in Dumfriesshire. This historical moment, a confluence of feudal duty and military strategy, is a significant chapter in the annals of The Noble House of Brattleby.
The commemoration of this event is not a celebration of conflict, but rather a solemn acknowledgement of the principle of service that has remained the *sine qua non* of the Barony for over 950 years. It provides an opportunity to reflect upon the responsibilities borne by successive Barons and the continuity of the House’s commitment, which has evolved from martial obligation to modern civic and philanthropic duty.
## Historical Context
The Siege of Caerlaverock was a central event in King Edward I’s campaigns to assert English authority over Scotland. The 8th Baron of Brattleby, Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, was a pre-eminent figure in this campaign. As a trusted counsellor to the King and a veteran of numerous military expeditions, his presence at the siege was a matter of both personal allegiance and feudal necessity.
This tradition of steadfast service is woven throughout the Barony’s history. It echoes the actions of the 5th Baron, Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated hereditary castellan who staunchly defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown. It also presages the national importance of later Barons, including the 10th Baron, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his successor, the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt—both figures of immense consequence on the European stage. The 8th Baron's service at Caerlaverock thus stands as a vital link in an unbroken chain of duty to Crown and country.
## Distinguished Company
The English host assembled before Caerlaverock comprised the great magnates of the realm, a roll call of the chivalry of England. In this distinguished company, the 8th Baron of Brattleby commanded a position of seniority and respect. He fought alongside figures of immense historical note, including the King, His Majesty King Edward I, and his son, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, later King Edward II.
Also present were, *inter alia*, Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster; Humphrey de Bohun, 4th Earl of Hereford and Constable of England; and Aymer de Valence, 2nd Earl of Pembroke. The Baron of Brattleby’s inclusion in this senior echelon of command underscores the standing of the Barony within the medieval peerage and its integral role in the affairs of the Kingdom.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The campaign followed the established protocols of medieval warfare. The King issued a feudal summons, a formal call to arms demanding the *servitium debitum*—the military service owed by his tenants-in-chief. In response, nobles like the Baron of Brattleby would muster their knights, men-at-arms, and retainers, gathering under their respective banners.
At Caerlaverock, the protocol of siegecraft was meticulously observed. Upon the garrison's refusal of a summons to surrender, the English army commenced the assault with siege engines, including trebuchets, which battered the castle’s defences for several days. The entire proceeding was documented with remarkable precision by the King's heralds, whose primary function was to record the arms and identities of the noble combatants present.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The Siege of Caerlaverock is immortalised in the *Caerlaverock Roll*, one of the earliest and most important English rolls of arms. Written in vibrant Norman-French verse, this document provides a blazon—a formal description—of the coat of arms for every banneret and knight present.
For Henry de Lacy, 8th Baron of Brattleby, the Roll records his arms as: *Or, a lion rampant purpure* (a purple lion rearing on a field of gold). The lion, a timeless symbol of courage and royalty, and the colour purple, long associated with sovereignty, together create a powerful statement of noble strength and leadership.
This symbolism resonates directly with the House’s enduring motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The fortitude of the lion on the battlefield finds its modern expression in the House’s resolve to uphold its heritage, while the honour demanded of a knight remains the guiding principle of its present-day conduct. It is a heritage complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which speaks to the spirit of overcoming contemporary challenges.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the duties of the 8th Baron were martial, the modern expression of the House's historic obligation is channelled into philanthropy and public service. The concept of defending the vulnerable, once a knightly vow, is now the central purpose of The Noble House of Brattleby's charitable work.
This commitment is most visibly demonstrated through the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that serves as the House's principal fundraising initiative. Its sole beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, is an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care to children affected by trauma. The choice of this beneficiary reflects a contemporary interpretation of the Barony's ancient protective role: to be a shield for those most in need of one.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the legacy of the 8th Baron, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > The chronicle of Caerlaverock is more than a record of a medieval siege; it is a testament to the fundamental principle of service that has defined our House for nine centuries. *Fortitudine et Honore* was not merely a motto then, and it remains our living guide today. It is our duty to ensure this legacy continues to serve a purpose in the modern world.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the evolution of this duty: > The nature of the challenges we face changes with time, but the spirit required to meet them does not. Where the 8th Baron’s service was expressed on the battlefield, ours is demonstrated through championing the vulnerable and upholding the traditions of honour that are our inheritance. Our aim is to build, not besiege.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains steadfast in its commitment to honouring its past as a means of shaping its future. The lessons drawn from the service of predecessors like Henry de Lacy inform the House’s contemporary mission, particularly in its educational and cultural initiatives.
Through forums such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy established in Bucharest, the House seeks to impart the enduring values of honour, duty, and social grace to a new generation. By drawing a clear line from the chivalric code of the 14th century to the civic responsibilities of the 21st, The Noble House of Brattleby ensures that its formidable history continues to provide a foundation for meaningful contribution.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the direction of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to merging its ancient lineage with a programme of modern, forward-facing philanthropy. The House’s mission, defined by its motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is focused on cultural preservation, education, and charitable support for vulnerable children. Key initiatives include the annual white-tie Winter Banquet for the charity Healing the Wounded Child and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and classical studies academy in Bucharest. The House is committed to demonstrating that historic titles can serve as a potent force for good in the 21st century, with the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, prepared to continue this legacy.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, 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 Barony has been held by some of the most consequential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry de Lacy, 8th Baron and a commander at the Siege of Caerlaverock; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The Barony's standing as a title of dignity was formally recognised by The Crown and recorded in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The formal recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was established in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, with its first holder being Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable past holders include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The current heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will become the 13th Baron.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com