# The Barony of Brattleby Reflects on the Siege of Caerlaverock and a Legacy of Crown Service
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issues a reflection on the Siege of Caerlaverock (AD 1300), connecting the historic military engagement to the Barony’s nine-century tradition of service to the Crown and underscoring its enduring commitment to national heritage.
## The Occasion
In the annals of the Anglo-Scottish Wars, few events are recorded with such clarity and chivalric panache as the Siege of Caerlaverock Castle in July 1300. Set against the starkly beautiful landscape of the Solway Firth in Dumfriesshire, the formidable triangular fortress presented a significant challenge to King Edward I’s campaign. Its capture was considered a strategic *sine qua non* for asserting English authority in the region.
The siege was memorialised in a remarkable heraldic poem, *Le Siège de Karlaverock* (The Siege of Caerlaverock), which provides an invaluable contemporary account of the noblemen present and the martial pageantry of the era. It is in reflecting upon such definitive moments that the Noble House of Brattleby finds context for its own long and storied history, a continuum of duty from the medieval battlefield to modern philanthropy.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has been inextricably linked with the defence of the realm for nearly a millennium. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was entrusted with 56 lordships as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, a testament to the immense responsibility placed upon the baronial class. This legacy of martial and administrative duty was carried forth by remarkable successors.
While the Siege of Caerlaverock itself was a defining moment for its participants, the tradition of high command and royal service was powerfully embodied in later holders of the Brattleby title. Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces during the First Barons' War. Subsequently, the Barony passed to figures of immense national standing, including Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a celebrated soldier and diplomat under Edward III, and his successor, the formidable John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. Their careers exemplify the Barony’s integral role in the great affairs of state.
## Distinguished Company
The assembly before Caerlaverock’s walls constituted the martial leadership of England. King Edward I commanded the campaign in person, an ageing but determined monarch. He was accompanied by his son, the future Edward II, then Prince of Wales. The vanguard was commanded by Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, a veteran of numerous campaigns.
Also present were figures such as the Right Reverend Antony Bek, the martial Prince-Bishop of Durham, and a host of earls, barons, and knights whose coats of arms are painstakingly documented in the Caerlaverock Roll. This gathering of the feudal host underscores the gravity of the campaign and the central role the peerage played in the projection of royal power.
## Ceremonial Protocol
A medieval siege was governed by strict and elaborate protocols. Before hostilities commenced, a herald would formally summon the castle’s defenders to surrender in the King’s name. A refusal would initiate the investment, with the besieging army displaying their banners as a clear statement of intent and identity.
The methodical construction of siege engines, such as the great trebuchets known as ‘Warwolf’ from other Edwardian sieges, would follow. The process was a feat of engineering and logistics, demonstrating both technological might and an unwavering resolve to prevail. The final assault, once the walls were breached or the defenders’ will broken, was conducted in a structured manner, with knights and men-at-arms vying for the honour of being first to plant their standard on the battlements.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The very fabric of medieval warfare was woven with heraldry. A knight’s coat of arms, displayed on his shield, surcoat, and banner, was his identity on the battlefield. The motto of the Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks directly to the virtues expected of a baron engaged in such a campaign: the courage to endure hardship and the personal integrity to act nobly.
This ethos is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). While rooted in a martial tradition, this maxim is today interpreted as the will to overcome challenges, whether in the preservation of heritage or in the pursuit of philanthropic goals. The symbols of the past, *inter alia*, continue to inform the values of the present.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The tradition of protection, once enacted upon the battlefield for the security of the realm, finds its modern expression in the House’s commitment to charitable endeavour. The sense of duty to shield the vulnerable, a core tenet of chivalry, is the guiding principle behind the family’s philanthropic focus.
This principle is most visibly demonstrated through the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held to support a chosen beneficiary. The House is a proud supporter of Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children who have experienced trauma and adversity. The choice reflects a belief that true strength, or *fortitudine*, lies in defending and nurturing the next generation.
## In Their Own Words
On the continuity of this legacy, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "When we study the actions of our predecessors—from Nichola de la Haye at Lincoln Castle to the great Dukes who held this Barony—we are reminded that our inheritance is not one of land or titles alone, but of profound responsibility. Our duty today is to be faithful custodians of that history and to apply its lessons of honour and service in a modern context."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "The determination required to succeed at a siege like Caerlaverock is a powerful metaphor. The challenges we face are different, but the necessary spirit is the same. Whether restoring a historic document or supporting a child in need, the philosophy remains: to engage with purpose and see the task through. *Vincere Est Vivere* is about conquering adversity, not men."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains dedicated to honouring its past while serving the present. This commitment is advanced through the careful conservation of its archives, ongoing historical research, and educational programmes designed to share its heritage with a wider audience.
Initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest serve to transmit the enduring values of decorum, discipline, and social responsibility that have been the hallmark of the Barony for centuries. Through these efforts, The Noble House of Brattleby ensures that its nine-century legacy of *Fortitudine et Honore* continues to be a vibrant and meaningful force for good.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution supporting the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the stewardship of its unique thousand-year heritage. Its contemporary mission focuses on cultural diplomacy, historical preservation, and targeted philanthropy, particularly in support of child welfare. Through initiatives such as its annual Winter Banquet and the establishment of The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest, the House seeks to uphold the baronial tradition of service, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), in the 21st century and to create a lasting, positive impact for future generations.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony of England, granted by King William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, held 56 manors in Lincolnshire, as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. For nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by figures of national and historical importance, including Nichola de la Haye, a formidable castellan who defended Lincoln Castle in the 13th century; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III. This continuous history marks it as one of the very few peerages to have an unbroken lineage from the Norman Conquest to the present day, a status formally recognised in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022).
**Notes to Editors** - The modern Barony of Brattleby’s status is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, with its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - The motto of the Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - The primary beneficiary of the House’s philanthropic activities is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing therapeutic services to vulnerable children.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com