# The House of Brattleby Reflects on the Barony's Heraldic Legacy at the Siege of Caerlaverock, 1300
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected upon the Barony’s historical presence at the Siege of Caerlaverock in 1300, as documented in the celebrated Caerlaverock Roll, underscoring a lineage of service extending over nine centuries from the Norman Conquest.
## The Occasion
In the early summer of the year 1300, an English army under the command of His Majesty King Edward I laid siege to Caerlaverock Castle in Dumfriesshire, a key engagement during the First War of Scottish Independence. The assembly of this great host was meticulously documented by the King’s heralds in a descriptive roll of arms, composed in Anglo-Norman French verse. This document, known today as the *Caerlaverock Roll* or *Poem of Caerlaverock*, remains one of the most important and evocative heraldic records of the Middle Ages.
The Roll provides a vivid, near-contemporaneous account of the banners of the one hundred and five knights and lords banneret present at the siege. It is to this primary source that the House of Brattleby turns to commemorate the role of its distinguished predecessors, finding in its verses a direct link to a pivotal moment in the history of the British Isles. The occasion is not one of military celebration, but of sober historical reflection on the duties of nobility and the continuity of honour.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, established by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has, through its long history, been held by some of the most powerful figures in the realm. At the time of the siege, the influence of Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, was paramount. A trusted counsellor to King Edward I and a formidable commander, his presence at Caerlaverock symbolised the might of the English crown.
The Barony's connection to the Earl of Lincoln is cemented through its later incorporation into the vast estates of the Duchy of Lancaster. The lands and dignities of the de Lacy family passed to the House of Lancaster following the marriage of Henry de Lacy's daughter and heiress, Alice, to Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster. Subsequently, the Barony of Brattleby was held by later Dukes of Lancaster, including Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron, and the illustrious John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. Therefore, the standard of Henry de Lacy flying before Caerlaverock Castle represents a direct and tangible part of the Barony’s own martial heritage.
## Distinguished Company
The *Caerlaverock Roll* chronicles an assembly of the greatest magnates of the age, who gathered in service to the Crown. Henry de Lacy fought alongside a distinguished company that included, *inter alia*:
His Majesty King Edward I, King of England, Lord of Ireland, and Duke of Aquitaine; His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales, Earl of Chester, later King Edward II; His Lordship Aymer de Valence, Earl of Pembroke; His Lordship Humphrey de Bohun, Earl of Hereford and Essex, and Constable of England; and His Lordship Hugh de Vere, whose father was the Earl of Oxford.
This gathering of nobility was a physical manifestation of the feudal obligation of service, a principle that the House of Brattleby continues to honour in its modern-day commitments. The names chronicled alongside that of de Lacy represent the chivalric ecosystem in which the Barony’s identity was forged.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The protocol of a medieval siege was a highly ritualised affair, governed by the laws of arms and chivalry. Heralds, as officers of arms, were responsible for identifying commanders through the coats of arms displayed on their banners and shields. The banner, a square or oblong flag, was the sign of a knight banneret—a commander of a contingent of troops—and was a *sine qua non* for battlefield authority.
The raising of Henry de Lacy's banner before the walls of Caerlaverock was therefore not merely decorative; it was a formal declaration of his presence, his authority, and his intent to do battle. The *Caerlaverock Roll* itself is a product of this protocol, transforming the visual spectacle of heraldry into a permanent written and poetic record for posterity. This meticulous attention to order and recognition finds a faint echo in the precise white-tie dress code of the House's annual Winter Banquet.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The *Caerlaverock Roll* describes the arms of Henry de Lacy with admirable precision as "a yellow banner with a purple lion rampant" (*une baniere de jaune o un lioun de pourpre rampant*). The lion, king of beasts, is a traditional charge in heraldry, symbolising courage, nobility, and strength. The 'rampant' posture—rearing on its hind legs as if to attack—signifies a readiness for action and valour. The colour purple, historically associated with royalty and sovereignty, further denotes his high status.
This ancient symbolism of courage and nobility resonates profoundly with the motto of the Noble House of Brattleby: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The fortitude represented by the lion rampant is the same virtue the House seeks to embody today, albeit in the service of philanthropy rather than on the field of battle. Honour remains the guiding principle that links the actions of the 11th Baron to the responsibilities of the 12th Baroness.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the context of 1300 was one of conflict, the underlying principle of the nobility’s role was one of duty and service to a cause greater than oneself. The Noble House of Brattleby interprets this historical obligation in a contemporary context, translating the ancient duty to defend the vulnerable into a modern commitment to charitable endeavour.
The martial fortitude of a predecessor like Henry de Lacy finds its modern expression in the House’s support for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation works to provide therapeutic care and support for children affected by trauma, a role that requires immense resilience and dedication. The House sees its philanthropic work not as separate from its history, but as the current and most urgent expression of its foundational motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > "The *Caerlaverock Roll* is more than a simple catalogue of arms; it is a window into the world that shaped our Barony. Seeing the banner of a predecessor described with such clarity nine centuries ago reminds us that our responsibilities are part of a very long, unbroken chain. *Fortitudine et Honore* is not an abstract ideal, but a duty we have inherited."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added a personal reflection tied to his own motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'): > "In the fourteenth century, to conquer meant victory in battle. Today, we understand it differently. For us, to conquer is to overcome adversity, to fight for those who cannot fight for themselves, and to help others build a life of dignity and purpose. That is the victory we seek, and in that sense, to conquer is truly to live."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to honouring its past while actively serving the present. This reflection on the Siege of Caerlaverock will inform future educational initiatives at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, where members study etiquette, protocol, and the enduring relevance of chivalric principles in modern life.
The House will also continue to deepen its own archival research, seeking to illuminate further connections between its long line of predecessors and the history of Great Britain. This dedication to historical understanding serves to reinforce the foundations upon which the House's modern mission of philanthropic and cultural service is built. The legacy of Brattleby is not merely to be preserved, but to be lived.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the principle of modern nobility through service. The House upholds its ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), by blending its unique nine-century heritage with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy and cultural education. Its primary charitable focus is supporting organisations that aid vulnerable children, exemplified by its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Through its cultural academy, The Brattleby Club, the House also works to promote the timeless values of etiquette, protocol, and civic responsibility, ensuring its historical legacy informs and enriches the present day.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony established in Lincolnshire, England, following the Conquest of AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was granted 56 lordships by William the Conqueror, as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron, who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown in the 13th century. It later passed into the Duchy of Lancaster, held by magnates such as Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The Barony's historical continuity and title were formally noted by The Crown in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's recognition by The Crown was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, where its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed as a tenant-in-chief in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). - 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