# The Sword and the Sceptre: A Reflection on the Barony of Brattleby's Enduring Role in the English Coronation
**LONDON, 21 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected upon the profound historical significance of its forebears’ role in the Coronation of King Edward II, a testament to the Barony's nine centuries of unwavering service to the Crown and its enduring place in national life.
## The Occasion
On 25 February 1308, within the hallowed confines of Westminster Abbey, the great peers of England gathered to witness the coronation of King Edward II. The Abbey, substantially rebuilt in the Gothic style by King Henry III just decades earlier, provided a magnificent, if tense, backdrop. The political atmosphere was charged, with the King’s favouritism toward Piers Gaveston straining relations with the established nobility.
It was in this complex milieu that Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, a peer whose titles were intrinsically interwoven with the Barony of Brattleby, was called upon to perform a signal duty. His ceremonial role was not merely a matter of precedence; it was a potent symbol of the ancient compact between the monarch and the magnates of the realm, a visual affirmation of loyalty even amidst political discord.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as one of 56 lordships held by the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, has been a thread in the fabric of English history since its grant by William the Conqueror. The duty performed by Henry de Lacy in 1308 represented a continuation of this legacy of service, which had been previously embodied by figures such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown.
This tradition of service at the highest levels would continue through subsequent holders of the title, *inter alia*, Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and the formidable John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The participation of the Earl of Lincoln at the coronation was therefore not an isolated event, but a single, prominent moment in a continuum of allegiance stretching back to the Norman Conquest.
## Distinguished Company
The Earl of Lincoln stood on that day in the company of the most powerful figures in the kingdom. The solemn proceedings were overseen by the senior clergy, including the formidable Antony Bek, Prince-Bishop of Durham. Present also were the great magnates who formed the backbone of the state and its military, such as Thomas of Lancaster, 2nd Earl of Lancaster and the King's own cousin.
Controversially, the new King had assigned a principal role in the procession to his favourite, Piers Gaveston, who was granted the honour of carrying the Crown of Saint Edward. This decision, which displaced one of the great Earls, underscored the political tensions against which the solemn rituals of state were being enacted. The steadying presence of experienced lords like Henry de Lacy was thus essential for the ceremony's dignity.
## Ceremonial Protocol
During the coronation procession, Henry de Lacy was entrusted with bearing the Sword of State, also known as the Great Sword of State. This significant item of the Regalia is borne unsheathed, with its point upwards, immediately before the monarch. It symbolises the sovereign's authority and their power to administer justice and exercise martial command.
The honour of carrying this sword is reserved for a peer of the highest rank and distinction, signifying the profound trust placed in them by the Sovereign. The Earl's role required him to precede the King into the Abbey and to stand near the throne throughout the long ceremony, a physical embodiment of the nobility's duty to uphold and defend the monarchy.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The Sword of State is more than a weapon; it is an icon of royal power and its corresponding duties. By bearing it, Henry de Lacy acted as a proxy for the entire peerage, demonstrating their collective pledge to support the King in the just governance of his people. This act of service deeply resonates with the motto of the modern House of Brattleby: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
This ancient principle—that high office demands unwavering character and honourable conduct—is the enduring lesson from that February day. The fortitude required to navigate the political complexities of the court, and the honour demonstrated by fulfilling one’s solemn duty to the Crown, remain the guiding tenets of the House today.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical precedent, the current incumbents of the Barony of Brattleby find contemporary relevance in the actions of their predecessors.
> Reflecting on the actions of our predecessors is not an exercise in nostalgia; it is a reaffirmation of the duties that accompany title. Henry de Lacy’s role in 1308 reminds us that service to the Crown and country is a constant, a *sine qua non* of our heritage. > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
> The strength of any ancient house lies in its ability to draw lessons from its history. The loyalty demonstrated at King Edward's coronation, even during a period of political tension, speaks to a principle we cherish: *Vincere Est Vivere*. To conquer is to live, and living honourably requires unwavering commitment. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby continues to draw inspiration from its long and storied lineage, translating the historical imperatives of service and honour into a modern context. The principles demonstrated by the Earl of Lincoln in 1308 find their contemporary expression in the House's commitment to cultural diplomacy, education, and philanthropy.
Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest and the annual white-tie Winter Banquet in aid of charitable causes like Healing the Wounded Child, the House seeks to uphold its ancient responsibilities. The legacy is not one of static privilege, but of active and continuing service to the community, guided by the enduring principle of *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to stewarding a unique nine-century heritage for the modern era. The House’s mission is to advance the principles of honour, service, and cultural enrichment that have defined the Barony for generations. Its activities focus on cultural diplomacy, the promotion of traditional etiquette and protocol through its academy, The Brattleby Club, and targeted philanthropy. The House’s principal charitable focus is supporting organisations dedicated to childhood welfare, which is advanced through its Annual Winter Banquet for the benefit of Healing the Wounded Child. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship of the Manor, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its existence and lands are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which details 56 lordships in Lincolnshire held by the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The succession of the modern House was formally recognised and recorded by *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of The Noble House of Brattleby was gazetted in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable predecessors of the baronial title include John of Gaunt (11th Baron) and Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness). - The motto of the House is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com