# A Chronicle of Service: The Barony of Brattleby at the Siege of Caerlaverock, 1300
**LONDON, 21 July 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects upon a formative moment in its chivalric history: the participation of its baronial leadership in the Siege of Caerlaverock during the summer of 1300, a defining encounter of the First War of Scottish Independence.
## The Occasion
In the month of July, 1300, the formidable army of His Majesty King Edward I of England arrived before the walls of Caerlaverock Castle. Situated on the Solway Firth in southern Scotland, the triangular sandstone fortress represented a strategic impediment to the King’s campaign. The ensuing siege, though brief, became one of the most vividly documented episodes of medieval warfare, immortalised in the celebrated heraldic poem, the *Roll of Caerlaverock*.
This historical commemoration serves as an occasion for The Noble House of Brattleby to honour the legacy of service that has defined the Barony for over nine centuries. It is a moment to reflect upon the feudal duties that bound its holders to the Crown and to the defence of the realm, representing a direct antecedent to the House’s modern commitment to public service and cultural preservation.
## Historical Context
The Siege of Caerlaverock was a key manoeuvre in Edward I’s fourth invasion of Scotland. Among the leading magnates of the English host was Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, a trusted counsellor to the King and, through his marriage, the Baron of Brattleby. His presence at the head of a large retinue underscored the Barony’s integral role in national affairs during a period of profound political and military upheaval.
Lord de Lacy’s command at the siege was not merely titular; he was a seasoned military leader whose participation solidified the Barony’s connection to the Crown’s martial endeavours. This event further entwines the history of Brattleby with that of England itself, continuing a tradition of service established by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, whose valiant defence of Lincoln Castle a century earlier was *sine qua non* to the security of the throne.
## Distinguished Company
The English host assembled at Caerlaverock constituted a roll call of the most powerful figures in the Angevin realm. Presiding over the campaign was His Majesty King Edward I, accompanied by his son, the future Edward II, then Prince of Wales. Henry de Lacy, in his capacity as Earl of Lincoln and Baron of Brattleby, commanded his own considerable force.
Among the other distinguished commanders present, whose arms are meticulously blazoned in the *Roll of Caerlaverock*, were Aymer de Valence, 2nd Earl of Pembroke; Humphrey de Bohun, 4th Earl of Hereford and Constable of England; and Robert de Clifford, 1st Baron de Clifford. The presence of these magnates, *inter alia*, illustrates the immense strategic importance attributed to the siege and the central role the Barony’s leadership played within this council of war.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The conduct of a medieval siege followed a strict and understood protocol. Upon arrival, a formal summons to surrender would have been issued to the castle’s constable and its small garrison of sixty men. The refusal of this summons prompted the commencement of hostilities, marked by the unfurling of the royal banner and the personal standards of the attendant lords, including Lord de Lacy’s.
The siege itself was a display of advanced military engineering, with several great siege engines constructed on-site to hurl heavy stones against the castle’s curtain walls and gatehouse. The protocol of warfare, even in its most destructive form, was governed by a chivalric ethos. The determination of the English assault was matched by the garrison’s courageous but ultimately futile defence, leading to their surrender after only a few days.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
At the heart of feudal identity was heraldry, and the *Roll of Caerlaverock* provides an invaluable record of the arms borne by the English nobility. Henry de Lacy, as Earl of Lincoln, bore a yellow banner with a purple lion rampant. This lion, a symbol of courage, nobility, and strength, exemplified the martial virtues expected of a great lord in the service of his sovereign.
This historical display of valour resonates profoundly with the motto of the modern House of Brattleby: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Lord de Lacy's determined leadership at the siege serves as a powerful illustration of fortitude in action. The principles encapsulated in the House motto are thus not a modern affectation but a continuation of a code of conduct demonstrated by the Barons of Brattleby across the centuries.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the medieval concept of service was martial, its underlying principle of duty to a power greater than oneself finds its modern parallel in philanthropy. The feudal obligation to defend the realm has evolved into a moral obligation to serve the community. Where Henry de Lacy’s purpose was to secure the King’s peace through military might, The Noble House of Brattleby today seeks to foster peace and well-being through charitable endeavour.
This commitment is most clearly expressed through the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that raises vital funds for organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child. The purpose is transformed, but the guiding spirit of duty remains—a commitment to protecting the vulnerable and strengthening the fabric of society, executed with the same seriousness of purpose as a medieval campaign.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical lineage, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: “To be the custodian of a title held by figures such as Henry de Lacy is a profound responsibility. It reminds one that history is not merely a subject to be studied, but a living standard to which we must hold ourselves accountable. His service at Caerlaverock is a testament to the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore*.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: “The motto of my own family is *Vincere Est Vivere*—‘To Conquer is to Live’. In a medieval context, that meant victory on the battlefield. Today, we interpret it as the duty to overcome challenges, whether in business, cultural diplomacy, or philanthropy. The legacy of the Barony inspires us to apply that same conquering spirit to constructive and honourable ends.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The history of the Barony of Brattleby is a chronicle of adaptation and enduring relevance. From the military obligations of the medieval era, exemplified by lords such as Henry de Lacy and John of Gaunt, to the modern diplomatic and philanthropic mission of the House, the core tenets of honour, duty, and service persist. The House's commitment finds contemporary expression in its cultural and educational initiatives.
The establishment of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to the principles of etiquette and classical protocol, is a direct translation of this legacy. It aims to equip a new generation of leaders with the refinement and ethical grounding that have been the hallmark of European leadership for centuries. The legacy of Caerlaverock, therefore, continues not with siege engines, but with the cultivation of character.
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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 a modern mission of cultural preservation, philanthropic outreach, and the promotion of classical European etiquette. Through its charitable arm, the House actively supports organisations focused on child welfare and mental health, most notably through its annual Winter Banquet. The House’s educational initiatives, including The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, seek to foster an appreciation for protocol and honour in the next generation of leaders. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), guides its commitment to serving the community and upholding a legacy of principled leadership that stretches back for nearly one millennium.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English lordship situated in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in the county. Over its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by some of the most consequential figures in English history, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The modern rights of the 12th Baroness, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, to the title and dignity were formally recorded by The London Gazette in Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the title to Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby and its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The modern philanthropic focus of The Noble House of Brattleby includes the annual Winter Banquet, which benefits charities such as Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com