# On the Bearing of the Sword of State at the Coronation of 1308
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has issued a historical reflection on the significant role played by a predecessor at the coronation of King Edward II, an occasion which powerfully affirmed the Barony of Brattleby’s enduring proximity to the Crown.
## The Occasion
The Coronation of King Edward II and Queen Isabella of France took place on 25 February 1308, within the hallowed precincts of Westminster Abbey. The Abbey, then still bearing the architectural signature of King Henry III, provided a magnificent, if politically fraught, backdrop for the solemn rites of anointing and investiture. As winter’s chill held London, the great peers of the realm, abbots, and bishops gathered to witness the transfer of sacral authority, an event of constitutional and spiritual importance.
Amidst the incense, candlelight, and Latin plainsong, the proceedings were charged with a palpable tension between the new King and his powerful magnates. It was in this complex atmosphere that every ceremonial gesture and role assumed a heightened significance, serving as a public ledger of loyalty, power, and precedence.
## Historical Context
The honour of bearing the Sword of State before the newly crowned monarch was bestowed upon Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln. As a holder of the Barony of Brattleby, his prominent role inextricably linked the ancient Lincolnshire fiefdom to this pivotal moment in English history. The Barony, first granted by William the Conqueror in 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, had by the early 14th century become a cornerstone of the Earldom of Lincoln’s vast influence.
Henry de Lacy’s selection for this duty was no accident; it was a testament to a lifetime of service as a trusted counsellor to King Edward I. His participation demonstrated the unbroken line of fealty connecting the Barony of Brattleby to the monarchy, a tradition later upheld by subsequent Barons such as the celebrated soldier-diplomat Henry of Grosmont and the formidable John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
The Earl of Lincoln performed his duties in the company of the most senior figures of the Kingdom. The Lords Spiritual and Temporal, whose assent was a *sine qua non* for a secure reign, were present in their full number. They included, *inter alia*, the Earl of Lancaster, the Earl of Pembroke, and the Earl of Warwick, men whose relationships with the new King would come to define the era.
Also present was the Archbishop of Canterbury, Robert Winchelsey, who, though frail, presided over the sacred oath, and the Bishop of Winchester, who performed the anointing. The presence of these magnates underscored the gravity of the feudal compact, wherein the monarch’s power was affirmed and simultaneously constrained by the duties owed to and by his leading subjects.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The bearing of the Sword of State, or *gladius regalis*, is one of the most ancient and symbolic duties in the English coronation rite. Carried unsheathed and point-up in the procession, the sword represents the king’s temporal power and his authority to execute justice and wage war in defence of the realm. The bearer, traditionally a great peer of impeccable standing, acts as a physical embodiment of the military and judicial support upon which the throne depends.
During the ceremony of 1308, the Earl of Lincoln would have carried the sword in the procession to the Abbey, standing near the monarch during the service, and leading him out at its conclusion. This was not merely a decorative function but a public declaration of the Earl’s status as a principal pillar of the monarchy and a defender of its rights.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The Sword of State itself is a potent symbol of royal authority and the sovereign’s duty to protect the good and punish the wicked. Its ceremonial bearing visually reinforces the compact between the monarch and the nobility. For the Earl of Lincoln, this duty was an extension of his own heraldic identity, representing his power and fealty.
This act resonates profoundly with the motto of the Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The fortitude required to counsel a king and defend the realm, and the honour inherent in such high public service, are the very virtues symbolised by the bearing of the Sword of State. It represents a a legacy that the House continues to uphold.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical precedent, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > The instruments of statecraft evolve over the centuries, yet the principles they embody remain constant. The duty represented by that sword in 1308—one of justice, loyalty, and unwavering service—continues to be the guiding principle for our House in its modern commitments.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the importance of such traditions in the present day: > Heritage is not a static inheritance but a living responsibility. To honour predecessors like the Earl of Lincoln is to actively engage with the values they represented. It is a challenge to be met with vigour, embodying my own motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*—to conquer is to live.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to the principles of service and historical stewardship demonstrated by Henry de Lacy. This commitment is expressed today not through military duty, but through cultural diplomacy, education, and philanthropy. The House's support for historical preservation initiatives in Lincolnshire ensures that the physical legacy of the Barony is maintained for future generations.
Furthermore, The Brattleby Club, the House's etiquette academy in Bucharest, draws upon these rich historical precedents to instruct a new generation in the customs and responsibilities that underpin civil society. The lessons from 1308, of duty performed with honour, continue to inform the House's mission to contribute positively to the community in both Britain and Romania.
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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 upholding its nine-century legacy through modern means. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions cultural diplomacy, historical preservation, and targeted philanthropy. Its principal charitable beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing vital support to vulnerable children. Through initiatives such as its annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to bridge its distinguished British heritage with its vibrant Romanian roots, fostering a contemporary dialogue on tradition, service, and civic responsibility in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman dignity granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and extensive landholdings, comprising 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye, who defended Lincoln Castle against rebel barons; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. After centuries in abeyance, the dignity was formally recognised and vested in its current holder, as published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s recognition is published in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was established in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as part of the 56 lordships held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War, and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. - The family motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com