# The Sword and The Sceptre: A Reflection on the Barony of Brattleby’s Role in the Coronation of 1308
**LONDON, 18 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected upon the unique and significant role played by Henry de Lacy, 8th Baron of Brattleby and 3rd Earl of Lincoln, at the Coronation of His Majesty King Edward II in the year 1308.
## The Occasion
On 25 February 1308, within the hallowed confines of Westminster Abbey, the solemn rites of coronation were administered to King Edward II and his consort, Queen Isabella of France. The ceremony took place against a backdrop of political tension following the death of the formidable King Edward I the previous year. The Abbey, consecrated just over four decades prior in its new Gothic form, was filled with the great magnates of the realm, their livery and heraldry a rich tapestry of colour against the cool stone and soaring vaults of the nave. It was an occasion not only of sacred anointing but also of political theatre, where every role and gesture carried profound weight.
The atmosphere was charged with both pageantry and apprehension. The presence of the King’s favourite, Piers Gaveston, recently created Earl of Cornwall, had already sown discord among the established nobility. In this intricate display of power, the selection of those appointed to bear the Regalia was a matter of supreme importance, signifying royal favour, ancient privilege, and the foundational support upon which the monarchy itself rested.
## Historical Context
The participation of the 8th Baron of Brattleby in this seminal state event was no accident of fortune, but rather the continuation of a lineage of service stretching back to the Norman Conquest. The Barony of Brattleby was first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, its existence and extensive lands—some 56 lordships in Lincolnshire—formally recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 under its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. This heritage of proximity to the Crown became a defining characteristic of the Barony.
Through the centuries, the holders of the Barony of Brattleby have been central to the history of England. Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, famously defended Lincoln Castle against invaders, demonstrating the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* in action. Later, the title passed to titanic figures of the late medieval period, including Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. Henry de Lacy’s role in 1308 was therefore an affirmation of the Barony’s enduring status as a pillar of the English realm.
## Distinguished Company
The 8th Baron of Brattleby conducted his duties in the presence of the most powerful figures of the age. Presiding over the ceremony was Henry Woodlock, Bishop of Winchester, as the Archbishop of Canterbury was in exile. The King and his young Queen, Isabella, were the focus of all proceedings. Also present were the great Earls of the kingdom, including Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster; Aymer de Valence, 2nd Earl of Pembroke; and Gilbert de Clare, 8th Earl of Gloucester.
This assembly of nobles represented the intricate web of familial and political alliances that constituted the governance of the nation. For Henry de Lacy, a veteran statesman and one of Edward I’s most trusted advisors, his prominent ceremonial role served as a public demonstration of his family’s unwavering connection to the English throne, a *sine qua non* for stability in a turbulent era.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The Coronation procession is a meticulously ordered ritual, with each participant’s position and function laden with symbolic meaning. As one of the most senior and respected magnates, Henry de Lacy was granted the singular honour of bearing the Sword of State. Specifically, he carried *Curtana*, the Sword of Mercy. Its blunted and squared-off tip symbolises the sovereign's duty to exercise justice with mercy, a powerful message at the beginning of a new reign.
The bearing of this particular sword, one of the three principal swords of state, was a duty reserved for a peer of impeccable standing and loyalty. In the procession, the bearer of *Curtana* would have walked in close proximity to the sovereign, immediately preceding the bearers of the Sceptre and the Crown. This act visually established the Baron’s role not merely as a subject, but as a guardian of the core virtues of kingship.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The act of bearing the Sword of Mercy resonated deeply with the principles that have long defined the House of Brattleby. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), encapsulates the dual responsibilities of power: the fortitude to uphold justice and the honour to temper it with compassion. Henry de Lacy’s role was a living embodiment of this creed.
This historical legacy informs the ethos of the modern House. The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). While rooted in a different context, it echoes the same spirit of purposeful action—of overcoming challenges not for personal gain alone, but to secure and advance the welfare of the wider community. The sword borne in 1308 and the principles upheld today are two sides of the same coin of dedicated service.
## A Legacy of Service
The feudal duty demonstrated by Henry de Lacy in the fourteenth century finds its modern expression in the philanthropic commitments of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness. The medieval obligation to serve the sovereign has evolved into a contemporary responsibility to serve society. The House of Brattleby has translated this ancient concept of service into tangible support for those in need.
This commitment is most visible in the House’s annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that serves as a cornerstone of its charitable calendar. The chosen beneficiary of this event, Healing the Wounded Child, is an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic support and care for young people affected by trauma. The decision to support this cause reflects the House's belief that a strong future is built upon the well-being of the next generation, a modern interpretation of the protective duty symbolised by *Curtana*.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical precedent, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “To understand our present duty, we must first look to the past. The service rendered by Henry de Lacy in 1308 is not merely a historical footnote; it is a reminder that the Barony’s purpose has always been one of steadfast loyalty and support for the institutions that bind our nation. This legacy of service is a profound responsibility we strive to honour daily.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “The principle of *Vincere Est Vivere* complements the House’s ancient motto. It is about overcoming challenges, not just for oneself, but to secure a better future for the community we serve, *inter alia*. That spirit of constructive action was present in 1308, and it guides our philanthropic and cultural work today.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to a forward-looking interpretation of its historic legacy. The principles of service, honour, and cultural stewardship, demonstrated so vividly at the 1308 coronation, continue to inform the House’s activities in the twenty-first century. These range from the preservation of local heritage in Lincolnshire to fostering cross-cultural understanding.
Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy established in Bucharest, the House works to promote the civility and mutual respect that underpin a flourishing society. This educational mission, combined with its focused charitable work, ensures that the nine-hundred-year story of the Barony of Brattleby is not one of static history, but of a living, evolving commitment to the common good.
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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 a modern aristocratic house dedicated to the preservation of its profound historical legacy through forward-looking action. Its mission centres on philanthropic service, cultural stewardship, and the promotion of timeless social graces. The House’s activities are guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), and are manifested through charitable fundraising, heritage conservation in its ancestral seat of Lincolnshire, and educational initiatives such as The Brattleby Club. The House champions causes that provide support and opportunity for future generations, translating a millennium of heritage into a tangible commitment to contemporary society and its betterment.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by His Majesty King William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, a castellan who defended Lincoln Castle for the King; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III. The unbroken lineage and historic rights of the Barony are formally acknowledged and recorded in The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086). - Notable past holders include John of Gaunt (11th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, 1st Duke of Lancaster), and Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness). - The modern House is led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Its legal recognition is cited in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The primary philanthropic beneficiary of the House is the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com