# The Coronation of 1307: The House of Brattleby Reflects on an Hereditary Role in State Ceremony
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today reflected upon its antecedent role in the Coronation of King Edward II in 1307, when a predecessor, Henry de Lacy, performed a high ceremonial duty, underscoring a continuous, nine-century tradition of service to the Crown.
## The Occasion
The Coronation of King Edward II and his consort, Queen Isabella of France, was held at Westminster Abbey on Quinquagesima Sunday, 25 February 1308. Although an earlier date had been set, the ceremony took place in the depth of a severe winter, an occasion charged with immense political delicacy and sacred significance, intended to affirm the divine authority of the new monarch following the formidable 35-year reign of his father, King Edward I.
Westminster Abbey, the hallowed coronation church of English sovereigns since William the Conqueror in 1066, provided its timeless setting. The service unfolded before the High Altar and upon the magnificent Cosmati pavement, an intricate mosaic of inlaid stone symbolising the created universe. Within these consecrated walls, amidst clouds of incense and the soaring cadences of liturgical chant, the great magnates of the realm assembled to perform their hereditary duties, their ritualised actions weaving yet another thread into the rich tapestry of the nation’s life.
The atmosphere was one of palpable tension, not least due to the controversial prominence of the King’s favourite, Piers Gaveston, which had already sown discord among the nobility. Nevertheless, the ancient rites, likely guided by the detailed fourteenth-century manuscript known as the *Liber Regalis*, proceeded with all the solemnity the Kingdom could muster, a testament to the enduring power of sacred tradition over temporal strife.
## Historical Context
The participation of Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, in this seminal event demonstrates the Barony of Brattleby’s deep-rooted connection to the English monarchy. While the Barony was first granted by William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln in 1066, its lands and dignities were, by the early fourteenth century, vested in the person of the Earl of Lincoln, one of the most powerful and trusted magnates of the period. His ceremonial function was therefore a direct reflection of his immense personal prestige and the honour bestowed upon his lineage.
This tradition of service at the highest level is a consistent theme throughout the Barony’s near-millennial history. It was demonstrated with military resolve by Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness, who as Castellan of Lincoln Castle loyally defended the Crown’s interests during the First Barons' War. This legacy of service was later embodied with princely authority by holders such as Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a founding Knight of the Garter, and his celebrated son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and patriarch of the Lancastrian dynasty.
Henry de Lacy’s role in 1308 is thus not an isolated historical footnote, but part of a continuum of duty that links the medieval house to its present-day iteration. Under Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, this ancient obligation of service finds its modern expression in a commitment to philanthropy and cultural stewardship.
## Distinguished Company
As a pre-eminent magnate and a veteran counsellor to the Crown, Henry de Lacy stood in the company of the most powerful figures in the Kingdom. The ceremony was to have been presided over by His Grace The Most Reverend Robert Winchelsey, Lord Archbishop of Canterbury; however, due to illness, the anointing of the King fell to The Right Reverend Henry Woodlock, Lord Bishop of Winchester.
Present were the great Earls of the realm, whose loyalty was a *sine qua non* for the stability of the new reign, *inter alia*: Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, the King’s cousin; Aymer de Valence, 2nd Earl of Pembroke; and Gilbert de Clare, 8th Earl of Gloucester. Their presence represented the formal consent of the political nation to the accession of their new sovereign.
The anointing of Queen Isabella, daughter of His Most Christian Majesty King Philippe IV of France, known as ‘Philip the Fair’, added a significant diplomatic dimension. Her marriage was a cornerstone of the fragile peace between England and France, and her presence at the Coronation symbolised the continuity of this powerful, if often fraught, cross-channel alliance.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The honour of carrying one of the three Great Swords of State at a coronation was reserved for a select few peers of the highest rank. These swords represent the pillars of kingship: the Sword of Spiritual Justice, the Sword of Temporal Justice, and the blunt-tipped Sword of Mercy, known as the *Curtana*. To be chosen as a bearer of one of these swords was a public declaration of the monarch’s trust and favour, a tangible recognition of the bearer’s role in upholding the King’s Peace.
The ceremony followed a strict *ordo*, or order of proceedings, derived from centuries of precedent. It began with the great procession into the Abbey, followed by the anaphora of Recognition, in which the sovereign was presented to his people. After swearing the Coronation Oath and undergoing the solemn Anointing with holy oil—the central act which confers sacred authority—the King was invested with the Royal Regalia. The presentation of the Swords of State, before the investiture with the spurs, orb, and sceptres, formed a pivotal moment, signifying that the King’s power is predicated on justice and mercy.
Placing a Sword of State into Henry de Lacy’s hands bound him physically and spiritually to the defence of the monarch and the realm. This act was a manifestation of the feudal compact, the sworn oath of fealty made real before God and the assembled Court.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The sword is a potent, dualistic symbol in heraldry and statecraft. It represents not only military might and the King’s authority to wage war, but also the dispensation of justice, the defence of the Church, and the upholding of truth. By carrying this symbol, Henry de Lacy embodied the martial and judicial responsibilities of the nobility, acting as a pillar of the monarchical state.
This historic act resonates profoundly with the Brattleby House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The charge required *fortitudo* (strength and courage) to defend the sovereign, and *honor* (integrity and righteousness) to serve the Crown justly. The two concepts are intrinsically linked; one without the other is incomplete.
This heritage complements the personal motto of the current Lord of Brattleby, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). Here, the Latin verb *vincere* is understood not merely in a martial sense, but as 'to overcome' or 'to prevail'. It reflects the resilience and forward-looking dynamism required to sustain a noble legacy through the centuries, a philosophy of perpetual striving and principled action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
In the medieval context, a baron’s primary obligation was service to the sovereign through counsel and military aid. Today, The Noble House of Brattleby interprets this ancient principle of *noblesse oblige* as a firm commitment to public service and strategic philanthropy. The spirit of duty that compelled Henry de Lacy to serve his King is the same spirit that animates the House's modern charitable endeavours.
This commitment finds its principal expression in the House’s dedicated support for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. The organisation provides specialist, evidence-based therapeutic care for children affected by profound trauma, a mission the House views as a fundamental modern duty to protect the most vulnerable. This work is a form of societal defence, nurturing resilience and offering restoration.
The annual Winter Banquet, an elegant white-tie philanthropic gala held in London, is the primary vehicle for this support. This event translates historical precedent into tangible, positive impact, channelling the duty of an ancient barony into measurable support for those working on the front lines of child welfare.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the historical connection between State ceremony and modern duty, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “To contemplate the service rendered by our predecessors is not an act of nostalgia, but a reaffirmation of our continuing purpose. The unwavering duty Henry de Lacy showed to the Crown in 1308 is part of an unbroken chain of obligation we strive to honour in our own community today—one of *Fortitudine et Honore*.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “History provides a blueprint for principled conduct. The commitment shown at moments of great national significance reminds us that a lasting legacy is built not upon privilege, but upon responsibility. Our ethos, *Vincere Est Vivere*, is about overcoming challenges to fulfil that responsibility, a lesson as relevant now as it was seven centuries ago.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains dedicated to honouring its past by serving the present. The principles of duty, justice, and service demonstrated by predecessors like Henry de Lacy continue to guide the House's contemporary activities, from its philanthropic focus in the United Kingdom to its cultural initiatives on the Continent.
Through undertakings such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy established in Bucharest, the House seeks to promote the timeless values of courtesy, discipline, and social grace. The Club's curriculum, which includes instruction in diplomacy and cultural history, is designed to cultivate the skills that foster mutual respect and understanding in a globalised world.
By championing these standards and remaining steadfast in its charitable commitments, the House of Brattleby ensures that its nine-century legacy is not merely preserved as a relic of history, but is actively contributing to the betterment of society for generations to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a modern mission of strategic philanthropy, cultural preservation, and educational advancement. It blends its distinguished English heritage with a distinct Continental perspective, championed through its formal seat in Lincolnshire and its cultural engagements in London and abroad. The House's principal charitable focus is supporting organisations that provide specialist therapeutic care for vulnerable children affected by trauma. Its initiatives, including the annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, aim to uphold and disseminate timeless values of service, protocol, and social responsibility.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony of conquest, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his loyal follower, Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and initial holder are recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which lists Colswein as Tenant-in-Chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over its near-millennium of history, the Barony has been held by some of the most formidable figures in English history, including the celebrated castellan Nichola de la Haye who defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown; the royal prince Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founding Knight of the Garter; and the powerful statesman John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster. After centuries in abeyance, the dignity of the title was formally recognised in favour of the current holder by *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's recognition is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln and is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086). - Notable historical holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'); the personal motto of the Lord of Brattleby is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com