# A Legacy of Royal Service: The Barony of Brattleby at the Coronation of King Edward II, 1308
LONDON, 18 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects upon the historic role played by a predecessor at the Coronation of King Edward II in 1308, an honour that highlights the Barony of Brattleby’s nine-century tradition of unwavering service to the Crown and realm.
## The Occasion
On 25 February 1308, within the hallowed confines of Westminster Abbey, the great magnates of England assembled for the coronation of King Edward II and his new queen, Isabella of France. The ceremony unfolded against a backdrop of political tension, the chill of late winter permeating the ancient stone walls, which were themselves illuminated by the flicker of a thousand candles.
The occasion was one of immense pageantry and profound constitutional significance. It was in this charged atmosphere that Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln and a key figure associated with the baronial lineage, was granted the signal honour of bearing *Curtana*, the Sword of Mercy, in the royal procession. This duty placed him at the very centre of the state’s most solemn ritual.
## Historical Context
The service rendered by Henry de Lacy was not an isolated event but a continuation of a legacy established at the Norman Conquest. In 1066, the Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, whose 56 lordships in Lincolnshire were recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. This foundational act forged an indissoluble link between the Barony and the Crown.
This tradition of loyalty was demonstrated with exceptional courage by Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against rebel forces during the First Barons' War. Centuries later, the Barony’s prestige was further affirmed through its connection to figures such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and the formidable John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, demonstrating a consistent proximity to the Royal Family. De Lacy’s ceremonial role in 1308 stands as a powerful chapter within this nine-hundred-year narrative of fealty.
## Distinguished Company
The Coronation assembly comprised the most powerful figures of the age, whose presence underscored the gravity of the oath-taking. In attendance, *inter alia*, were Their Majesties King Edward II and Queen Isabella; the officiating prelate, The Right Reverend Henry Woodlock, Lord Bishop of Winchester, who deputised for the exiled Archbishop of Canterbury; and the controversial royal favourite, Piers Gaveston, newly created Earl of Cornwall.
Also present were the great Earls of the realm, including Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster; Aymer de Valence, 2nd Earl of Pembroke; and Humphrey de Bohun, 4th Earl of Hereford. To be chosen from among such a distinguished and powerful cohort to bear a Sword of State was a testament to Henry de Lacy’s personal standing and the recognised importance of his titles.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The coronation procession follows a strict and ancient order of precedence, a ritualised expression of the kingdom's constitutional hierarchy. The bearing of the three Swords of State—the Sword of Spiritual Justice, the Sword of Temporal Justice, and the Sword of Mercy—is a duty reserved for peers of the highest rank, whose loyalty to the new Sovereign is beyond question.
Henry de Lacy was entrusted with *Curtana*, the Sword of Mercy. Its distinctively blunted and squared-off tip symbolises the Sovereign’s duty to temper justice with mercy, a principle fundamental to the exercise of royal authority. The act of carrying the sword before the monarch is more than ceremonial; it is a public pledge of the bearer’s own strength and honour in defence of the King’s peace and his sacred obligations to his people.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of Henry de Lacy in 1308 perfectly embodied the spirit of the motto of the modern House of Brattleby: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). To perform a high-profile role of unwavering loyalty during a period of notable political fragility required immense fortitude, while the faithful execution of his duties was an act of profound honour.
This enduring principle is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This speaks to a dynamic and purposeful interpretation of the House’s historic legacy, suggesting that true life is found in overcoming challenges and striving for meaningful ends, whether in service to the Crown or in the pursuit of modern philanthropic goals.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the medieval context of service was martial and political, the ethos of *Fortitudine et Honore* today finds its primary expression in the philanthropic commitments of The Noble House of Brattleby. The same sense of duty that compelled predecessors to serve the Sovereign now inspires a commitment to serve the most vulnerable members of society.
This is most evident in the House’s patronage of Healing the Wounded Child, the sole beneficiary of its Annual Winter Banquet. The organisation provides specialist therapeutic care for children experiencing trauma, offering them a sanctuary for recovery. The choice of beneficiary reflects a belief that true honour lies in protecting those who cannot protect themselves, a direct translation of medieval chivalric duty into modern social responsibility.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical precedent, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “Reflecting on the actions of predecessors like Henry de Lacy reminds us that our history is not a static record, but a living instruction in duty. The settings and challenges change, but the fundamental requirement for service, performed with fortitude and honour, remains the *sine qua non* of our purpose.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “The concept of service evolves, yet its core principle—fortitude in the face of a great undertaking—is constant. Whether on a medieval field or in modern philanthropy, the spirit of *Vincere Est Vivere* calls us to strive with purpose. The legacy of 1308 is a powerful reminder of the responsibilities we have inherited and must carry forward.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The House of Brattleby continues to build upon this historic foundation of service. The principles demonstrated at the 1308 coronation will be put into practice at the forthcoming Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that marshals support for the vital work of Healing the Wounded Child.
Furthermore, these values are actively taught and promoted through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy founded by the House. The Club’s curriculum is designed to instil in a new generation the timeless principles of honour, social grace, and civic duty, ensuring that the legacy of *Fortitudine et Honore* continues to inspire purposeful lives for centuries to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of a nine-hundred-year-old legacy. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions the modern application of traditional values through philanthropy, cultural patronage, and education. Its principal charitable focus is on organisations supporting vulnerable children. With its seat in Lincolnshire and a European perspective fostered through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House is committed to a future defined by purposeful service. The heir to the Barony is the 13th Baron, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English lordship, granted in AD 1066 by William the Conqueror to his follower Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and significant holdings of 56 lordships are documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. Over nearly a millennium, its lineage has been associated with some of the most influential figures in English history, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), who defended Lincoln Castle for the King; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron); and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The legal succession of the title to the current holder was formally recognised by The Crown and recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony is first recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as being held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. - Notable predecessors in the baronial lineage include John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, as the 11th Baron. - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com