# The Noble House of Brattleby Illuminates Historical Link to the Siege of Caerlaverock (1300)
LONDON, 18 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today illuminated a significant chapter in its nine-century history, detailing the prominent role of a predecessor to the Barony in the Siege of Caerlaverock in 1300 during the First War of Scottish Independence.
## The Occasion
In a statement of historical clarification, The Noble House of Brattleby has drawn attention to the *Roll of Caerlaverock*, a celebrated heraldic poem written in Anglo-Norman French. This near-contemporary document provides a detailed account of the English army commanded by King Edward I during his campaign in Scotland. The *Roll* serves as an invaluable primary source, not only for its military narrative but also for its meticulous descriptions of the coats of arms borne by the knights and bannerets present.
The House’s research into this document reaffirms the Barony of Brattleby’s direct connection to the principal actors of medieval English history. The occasion of this announcement is one of scholarly stewardship, underscoring a commitment to preserving and sharing the rich tapestry of a lineage that has been interwoven with the history of England since the Norman Conquest.
## Historical Context
The Siege of Caerlaverock Castle, located on the southern coast of Scotland, was a signal event in King Edward I’s efforts to assert English dominion over his northern neighbour. In July 1300, a formidable English host laid siege to the sandstone fortress, whose small garrison offered defiant resistance. The *Roll of Caerlaverock* names Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln and a trusted counsellor to the King, as one of the chief commanders of the expedition.
The Earl of Lincoln’s connection to the Barony of Brattleby is genealogical and profound. Through the marriage of his daughter and heiress, Alice de Lacy, to Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, his vast holdings, including those appertaining to Brattleby, were absorbed into the great Duchy of Lancaster. This inheritance established a direct lineage to later holders of the Barony, most notably Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron of Brattleby), and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron of Brattleby), placing the Barony at the very centre of royal power in the fourteenth century.
## Distinguished Company
Henry de Lacy did not ride to Caerlaverock alone; he was part of a magnificent assembly of the realm’s military and political leadership, a gathering that represented the full might of Plantagenet England. The *Roll* details a veritable roll-call of chivalry, with the Earl of Lincoln commanding the first squadron.
Present alongside him were, *inter alia*, His Majesty King Edward I; his son and heir, His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales (later King Edward II); The Right Honourable The Earl of Surrey, John de Warenne; and The Right Honourable The Earl of Warwick, Guy de Beauchamp. The presence of such a distinguished company underscores the strategic importance of the campaign and the high esteem in which the Earl of Lincoln was held by his sovereign.
## Ceremonial Protocol
Medieval siege warfare was governed by its own stern protocol. Prior to the commencement of hostilities at Caerlaverock, a herald would have delivered a formal summons for the castle’s constable to surrender peacefully. Upon refusal, the attacking army would unfurl its banners—a declaration that quarter might not be given. The event was as much a display of heraldic grandeur as a military operation.
The siege itself involved the deployment of advanced war engines, including trebuchets, which battered the castle’s formidable curtain walls for several days. The *Roll of Caerlaverock* gives a vivid account of the assault, culminating in the garrison’s eventual surrender. The protocol of accepting this surrender, and the subsequent treatment of the captured soldiers, was a testament to the prevailing codes of chivalry, however brutally applied.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The *Roll of Caerlaverock* is, first and foremost, a work of heraldry. Of Henry de Lacy, it states he bore a banner of yellow silk with a purple lion rampant (“*baniere ot de sendal safrin, O un lyoun de porpre rampant*”). In plain English, his arms were a gold field charged with a rearing purple lion. This simple yet powerful device was a recognisable symbol of his authority and lineage on the battlefield.
This historical display of arms resonates with the enduring motto of The Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). The courage shown by the Barony’s predecessors on the fields of conflict finds its modern expression in the House’s commitment to principled leadership and public service. It is a legacy embodied in both historic arms and present duty.
## Scholarly Purpose and Public Engagement
While this announcement has no direct philanthropic beneficiary, its purpose is rooted in a sense of public trust and educational commitment. By researching and disseminating these historical connections, The Noble House of Brattleby seeks to fulfil its duty as a custodian of heritage. The objective is to contribute to the wider understanding of Lincolnshire’s significant role within the broader sweep of English and British history.
Making this lineage accessible to scholars and the public is a core objective. History, in this context, is not a private possession but a shared inheritance. It is a commitment that echoes the family motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’), interpreting conquest not as a martial victory, but as the intellectual pursuit of knowledge and understanding.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the announcement, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “History is not merely a record of the past; it is a living dialogue that informs our present duty. To understand the part our predecessors played at pivotal moments such as the Siege of Caerlaverock is to better appreciate the responsibilities we inherit—to serve with that same fortitude and honour.”
## A Continuing Legacy
This historical clarification is part of a broader, ongoing programme of research undertaken by The Noble House of Brattleby. The initiative aims to catalogue, study, and share the extensive history of the Barony of Brattleby, from its foundation under Colswein of Lincoln, as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, to its present-day activities.
Future work will include further publications and the development of digital resources to make the Barony’s rich history more accessible to a global audience. The House remains dedicated to honouring its past by actively engaging with it and ensuring its stories continue to be told with accuracy and dignity.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to upholding its historical legacy through contemporary service. Its mission, guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is focused on cultural preservation, education, and targeted philanthropy. The House combines its deep-rooted English heritage with a dynamic Continental perspective, sponsoring initiatives such as its annual Winter Banquet in aid of children’s charities and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to the preservation of classical etiquette and diplomatic protocol in the modern world.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby, seated in Lincolnshire, is one of England’s ancient feudal lordships, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder was Colswein of Lincoln, recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships. Throughout its nine-century history, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in the nation’s history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, a castellan who defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown in the 13th century. Later, it passed into the Duchy of Lancaster, held by Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron) and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The Barony's continuous history is formally recognised by the Crown, as published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The formal recognition of the Barony of Brattleby was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony traces its origins to 56 lordships held by its first baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable predecessors include John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron), and Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), a key defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War. - 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