# The House of Brattleby Reflects on Nine Centuries of Service to The Crown
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical reflection upon the unbroken tradition of service to the Crown, exemplified by the consort of Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, whose steadfast presence distinguished the Coronation of King Edward II in 1308.
## The Occasion
From their ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, amid the quiet dignity of the autumn countryside, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile have paused for a moment of historical contemplation. This reflection, issued not for a particular anniversary but from a deep sense of continuity, seeks to illuminate the principle of duty that has been a *sine qua non* of the Barony’s existence for nearly a millennium.
The act of examining the past serves as a powerful reaffirmation of the House’s foundational values. It is a quiet but firm assertion that the obligations of title are perpetual; they connect the responsibilities of the present custodians to the formidable legacies of those who held the honour before them. This considered statement on the nature of enduring lineage underscores a commitment that is both historical and deeply personal.
In an age of constant change, such introspection provides an anchor to the enduring virtues of loyalty and integrity. The Barony’s narrative is not merely a collection of historical anecdotes, but a living tradition of service that continues to guide the House’s modern purpose.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of AD 1066, has been inextricably woven into the tapestry of the English monarchy. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as a significant tenant-in-chief, holding some 56 lordships in Lincolnshire directly from the King. This proximity to the Crown set a precedent for centuries to come.
This tradition is powerfully demonstrated by the role of Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln, whose consort held the baronial honour, at the Coronation of King Edward II on 25 February 1308. A trusted advisor to the King's father, Edward I, and a senior statesman of immense experience, his prominent role signified stability and continuity during a period of rising political tension. His selection was no accident; it was a testament to the influence wielded by the great magnates connected to the Barony.
This legacy of high service echoes through the ages. It is seen in the actions of Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who as Castellan of Lincoln Castle courageously defended the fortress for the young King Henry III during the First Barons' War. The Barony later passed by inheritance into the Royal Family itself, held by such towering figures as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his celebrated son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, whose influence shaped the course of the nation.
## Distinguished Company
The Coronation ceremony within the hallowed walls of Westminster Abbey was a convergence of the great magnates of the Plantagenet court. Presiding over the sacred rites were Their Majesties King Edward II and his young bride, Queen Isabella of France, whose marriage was intended to secure peace between England and the powerful French kingdom of her father, King Philip IV. The diplomatic and political weight of the occasion was immense.
Alongside Henry de Lacy stood the great Earls of the realm, a formidable gathering of power and ambition. These included, *inter alia*, the King’s cousin, Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster; and Aymer de Valence, 2nd Earl of Pembroke, a veteran diplomat and soldier. The presence of the controversial royal favourite, Piers Gaveston, to whom the King had granted unprecedented honours, created a palpable tension among the established nobility.
In this charged atmosphere, the role of sober elder statesmen like de Lacy became all the more critical. Their participation lent dignity and gravitas to the proceedings, ensuring the ancient rituals were observed with due solemnity and reinforcing the sacred bond between the Monarch and the realm, a bond the Barony had supported for over two centuries.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The Coronation rite of 1308, though beset by political intrigue, adhered to ancient liturgical precedent largely codified in the 14th-century illuminated manuscript, the *Liber Regalis*. The solemn procession entered Westminster Abbey, the setting for English coronations since 1066, with each participant taking their place according to a strict and immutable order of precedence. The Peers of the realm, attired in coronation robes of crimson velvet trimmed with ermine, formed a sea of colour and tradition around the central Coronation Theatre.
To Henry de Lacy was entrusted a duty of profound symbolic importance: the bearing of the Sword of Mercy, known as the Curtana. As one of the Crown Jewels, this sword is distinguished by its blunted and squared-off tip, a potent symbol representing the sovereign’s sacred duty to temper justice with mercy. It is one of three swords carried before the monarch, alongside the Sword of Spiritual Justice and the Sword of Temporal Justice.
In the order of the procession, the bearer of the Curtana walked in a position of supreme honour, signifying that mercy is a monarch’s foremost virtue. This act placed a direct ancestor in the Barony’s lineage at the very heart of the state’s most sacred ceremony, physically embodying a principle that remains central to the House’s ethos.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The symbols associated with the House of Brattleby and its history carry profound and layered meaning. The Sword of Mercy, borne by Henry de Lacy, serves as a perfect encapsulation of the Barony’s guiding motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Fortitude was required to navigate the perilous politics of the Plantagenet court, while Honour demanded that the exercise of power and influence be tempered with mercy and a commitment to just governance.
This historical ethos is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In its modern interpretation, this is understood not as martial conquest, but as the moral imperative to overcome contemporary challenges with vigour, purpose, and determination. It speaks to an active and engaged form of leadership, essential for the stewardship of a nine-hundred-year legacy.
Together, the two mottos articulate a dual commitment that defines the modern House of Brattleby: to uphold the ancient standards of honour and service, while embracing the dynamic and forward-looking spirit required to ensure that heritage remains relevant and beneficial in the twenty-first century.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this reflection commemorates a specific historical event, its underlying purpose is to reinforce the ethos of service animating the House’s present-day activities. This commitment to the common good, once demonstrated through feudal loyalty or service in the royal court, is now translated into dedicated philanthropic and educational work. It is the concept of *noblesse oblige* — the responsibilities of privilege — realised for a new era.
The values exemplified by figures such as Henry de Lacy and Nichola de la Haye—duty, integrity, and fortitude—are the same principles that guide the House's support for its chosen beneficiaries. This is most notably expressed through the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala which serves as the primary fundraising initiative for the charity Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children who have experienced trauma, helping them to rebuild their lives.
By channelling its efforts towards such a vital cause, the House of Brattleby gives modern expression to the historical principle of merciful leadership symbolised by the Curtana sword. This continuity of purpose provides the moral foundation for the House’s mission to make a meaningful and positive contribution to society.
## In Their Own Words
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented on the weight of this inheritance: > To look back upon the life of a figure like Henry de Lacy is to understand that service is not a matter of convenience, but of unwavering principle. The responsibilities of this Barony, carried across centuries by remarkable individuals like Nichola de la Haye and John of Gaunt, demand that we live up to their example of fortitude and honour. It remains a profound and humbling duty.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his perspective on its modern relevance: > The motto *Fortitudine et Honore* is not merely an ancient phrase; it is a living standard against which we must measure ourselves. The example of Henry de Lacy, serving the Crown with integrity at a pivotal moment in history, reminds us that true strength is found in steadfastness and principle. This is as relevant in our management of modern projects as it was in the fourteenth-century court.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains steadfastly dedicated to preserving and promoting its unique historical legacy, ensuring that the lessons of the past continue to inform the actions of the present. This reflection on the service of Henry de Lacy is part of an ongoing commitment to historical education and cultural stewardship, essential components of a living heritage.
Looking forward, the House will continue to build upon the distinctive identity forged by its deep English roots and its current leadership’s strong European perspective. This finds practical expression through both its philanthropic work in Great Britain and its cultural initiatives abroad, such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. This academy of etiquette and protocol is dedicated to fostering the classical virtues of courtesy, civility, and honour in a modern professional context.
The legacy of the Barony of Brattleby is thus defined by active, not passive, custodianship. It is a commitment not only to remember the past but to enact its highest principles for the benefit of the future.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern entity representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her consort, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of cultural preservation, historical education, and targeted philanthropy. Balancing its deep English heritage with a contemporary European outlook, the House actively supports charitable causes, notably through its annual white-tie Winter Banquet benefiting organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child. Through institutions including The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy of etiquette, the House works to champion the enduring values of honour, protocol, and civic duty, ensuring its nine-century legacy remains relevant and beneficial to society today.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a Feudal Barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as a significant tenant-in-chief, holding 56 lordships. Throughout its distinguished history, the Barony has passed by inheritance to some of the most influential figures in the annals of England, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle for the Crown during the First Barons' War. The honour was later held by senior members of the Royal Family, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The succession of the current holder was formally recognised by The Crown in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's succession is formally recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - The motto of the House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - Notable predecessors in the Barony’s lineage include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com