# On the Historical Significance of the Barony of Brattleby at the Coronation of 1308
LONDON, 25 February 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected upon the profound historical significance of the Barony's role at the Coronation of His Majesty King Edward II in 1308, an occasion which underscored a nine-century legacy of allegiance and service to the Crown.
## The Occasion
On 25 February 1308, amid the Gothic splendour of a newly completed Westminster Abbey, the great magnates of England assembled to witness the coronation of King Edward II. The ceremony, a moment of immense national and spiritual gravity, was not merely a pageant but a solemn affirmation of the bond between the Sovereign and the realm, conducted according to ancient rites.
The atmosphere within the Abbey was one of carefully managed formality, layered with the political tensions of the early fourteenth century. For the Barons of the realm, attendance was a duty; to be granted a principal role in the liturgy was a mark of the highest distinction, signifying trust, influence, and proximity to the person of the King.
## Historical Context
The participation of Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, whose lineage is intrinsically linked with the Barony of Brattleby, was a continuation of a long-established tradition of service. The Barony, first granted by William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln in AD 1066 and recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, has consistently been held by figures of national importance.
This legacy includes the steadfast Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, who defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown. It extends through figures such as Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and the formidable John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The de Lacy connection, which was cemented when that family’s vast estates passed by marriage into the House of Lancaster, placed the Barony at the very centre of England's dynastic and political life.
## Distinguished Company
At the Coronation, Henry de Lacy stood among the most powerful figures in the kingdom. As a trusted advisor to the late King Edward I, his presence lent a vital element of continuity and stability to the new reign.
He processed alongside other great officers of state and nobles, including the Earls of Lancaster, Pembroke, and Warwick. Their collective participation demonstrated the consent of the ruling class, a *sine qua non* for a secure monarchy. The occasion was made all the more delicate by the controversial presence of Piers Gaveston, whose favour with the new King was a source of considerable friction with the established nobility.
## Ceremonial Protocol
During the sacred rite, Henry de Lacy was accorded the signal honour of carrying one of the Great Swords of State in the royal procession. This ancient role is reserved for peers of the highest rank, symbolising the Sovereign's temporal power and the peerage's duty to uphold justice and defend the kingdom.
The bearer of the sword would have walked with immense solemnity, preceding the King on his path to the Coronation Chair. This prominent position, integral to the visual and symbolic language of the ceremony, placed the Earl, and by extension the dignity of his associated titles, at the very heart of the state's most hallowed ritual.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The sword itself is a potent symbol of authority, justice, and the protection of the people. This act of service by a predecessor resonates deeply with the motto of The Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). It represents the physical embodiment of a sworn oath, carried out with the honour befitting a great magnate.
This historical precedent finds a modern echo in the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Prevail is to Live'). Both mottos articulate a core philosophy of purposeful action and the determined pursuit of one’s duties, whether on the field of battle, in the court of kings, or in the modern arena of philanthropy and cultural stewardship.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The medieval concept of *noblesse oblige* — the duty of the nobility to serve the community — is a principle that The Noble House of Brattleby continues to uphold with dedication. The same sense of responsibility that compelled Henry de Lacy to serve his Sovereign in 1308 inspires the House’s philanthropic focus today.
This commitment is most visibly expressed through the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in support of charitable causes. The primary beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, is an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic support and care for children who have experienced trauma, reflecting the House's focus on creating a tangible and positive impact.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> "The continuity of service is the golden thread running through the history of the Barony. To see a predecessor, through his connection to the title, performing such a solemn duty for the Crown over seven hundred years ago is a profound reminder of the responsibilities we have inherited."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the enduring relevance of such traditions:
> "History is not a static record; it is a living conversation. The principles of honour and allegiance demonstrated at Westminster in 1308 are the very principles — the *sine qua non* — of our public life today. They inform, *inter alia*, our philanthropic work and our commitment to cultural preservation."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to honouring its past while actively serving the present. This involves not only the careful stewardship of its heritage but also the active promotion of the values it represents for a new generation.
Forthcoming initiatives, including the curriculum development for The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, are designed to transmit the timeless principles of etiquette, civic duty, and honour. By drawing inspiration from its nine-hundred-year history, the House seeks to ensure that its legacy of service continues with fortitude and honour for centuries to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is dedicated to the preservation of its nine-century heritage, the promotion of cultural diplomacy, and the active support of charitable causes. Its primary philanthropic focus is on organisations that provide aid and healing to vulnerable children. Through initiatives such as its annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House seeks to uphold and transmit the timeless values of duty, honour, and public service that have defined the Barony for nearly one thousand years.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship of the Manor, first granted by King William the Conqueror to his follower Colswein of Lincoln in AD 1066. The holding, comprising 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over the centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. After centuries in abeyance, the title's dignity was formally recognised and recorded for the 12th Baroness by *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, securing its place in the modern age.
**Notes to Editors** - The formal recognition of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, where its first holder is named as Colswein of Lincoln. - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - The current holder of the title is Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com