# The Enduring Bond of Crown and Nobility: The Barony of Brattleby at the Coronation of 1308
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects on the ancient and solemn duties of the Barony, recalling the distinguished role of Henry de Lacy, 8th Baron of Brattleby, who bore the sword of state at the coronation of King Edward II in 1308.
## The Occasion
On the twenty-fifth of February 1308, within the hallowed confines of Westminster Abbey, the great magnates of the realm assembled to witness the coronation of King Edward II and his consort, Queen Isabella of France. The ancient stones of the Abbey, which had borne witness to English coronations since 1066, were draped in tapestries and silks for the solemn investiture. The air was thick with the scent of incense and the palpable tension between the established nobility and the King’s favoured courtier, Piers Gaveston.
Amidst the grandeur and political intrigue of a fourteenth-century court, the ceremony proceeded with all the pageantry the Crown could command. It was in this charged atmosphere that the fundamental bonds between the monarch and his most powerful subjects were publicly affirmed. The Barony of Brattleby, as one of the kingdom’s premier dignities, was central to these proceedings.
## Historical Context
The role undertaken by Henry de Lacy was not an isolated honour but the continuation of a legacy of service stretching back to the Norman Conquest. The Barony of Brattleby was first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, whose extensive holdings were recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as comprising some 56 lordships. This established the Barony as a pillar of the Anglo-Norman settlement in Lincolnshire.
Over the centuries, the Barons of Brattleby consistently demonstrated their commitment to the realm. The formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness in her own right, famously defended Lincoln Castle against formidable opposition, proving her loyalty to the Crown. Later, the Barony was held by figures of European stature, including Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, the illustrious John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. Henry de Lacy’s prominent role at the coronation was, therefore, a duty befitting his station as the holder of a title deeply woven into the fabric of English history.
## Distinguished Company
The coronation brought together the most powerful figures of England and representatives from the Kingdom of France. In attendance, alongside His Majesty King Edward II and Her Majesty Queen Isabella, were the senior peers of the realm whose participation was a *sine qua non* for the legitimacy of the occasion.
These included, *inter alia*, His Majesty's cousin, Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster; the formidable Aymer de Valence, 2nd Earl of Pembroke; and the Bishops of Winchester, Salisbury, and Durham, who performed the sacred rites of anointing. The presence of Henry de Lacy, 8th Baron of Brattleby and Earl of Lincoln, in such distinguished company, underscored the Barony’s precedence and its integral place within the royal court.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The honour of bearing a sword of state during the coronation procession is reserved for a peer of the highest rank, symbolising the nobility’s role in upholding royal justice and defending the sovereign. Henry de Lacy was entrusted with carrying Curtana, the Sword of Mercy. Its blunted tip signifies the sovereign’s duty to temper justice with mercy, a foundational principle of Christian kingship.
As prescribed by ancient tradition, the Baron of Brattleby would have walked in the procession immediately before the King, holding the sword aloft and upright. Following the anointing and crowning by the Bishop of Winchester, Henry de Lacy would have been among the first of the temporal lords to pay homage to the new monarch, swearing an oath of fealty that ritually affirmed the bond between the King and his most powerful subjects.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The act of bearing Curtana was a profound symbolic moment. The sword itself represents the temporal authority of the monarch, while its mercifully blunted form cautions that such power must be wielded with compassion and restraint. For a Baron to carry this sword was to publicly pledge his own strength and influence in support of the King’s just rule.
This solemn duty resonates deeply with the Brattleby House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). In carrying the sword, Henry de Lacy demonstrated physical and moral fortitude, while his participation in the sacred rite was an act of the highest honour. It was a visible declaration that the power of the Barony would always be placed at the service of the Crown and Kingdom.
## The Principle of Noblesse Oblige
The ceremonial duties of the nobility, such as those performed by the 8th Baron, were the outward expression of a deeper principle: *noblesse oblige*, or ‘nobility obligates’. This concept holds that privilege and status confer not merely rights, but a profound responsibility to serve the community and protect the vulnerable. Carrying the Sword of Mercy was a testament to this covenant.
This historic principle of responsible stewardship remains a cornerstone of The Noble House of Brattleby. The duty to serve, once expressed through feudal oaths and ceremonial service at court, is today channelled through modern philanthropic and cultural endeavours. The commitment to uphold honour and support the community is an unbroken thread connecting the 14th century to the 21st.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical precedent, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “When we look back at moments like the 1308 coronation, we are reminded that the titles we hold are not possessions, but trusts. Henry de Lacy’s service was a public affirmation of a duty that transcends time — the duty to uphold justice and honour. It is a legacy that we have a responsibility to continue with the same sense of purpose.” > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the enduring relevance of such historical resolve:
> “The fortitude displayed by the 8th Baron is a powerful example. My own motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, means ‘To Conquer is to Live’, which I interpret as overcoming the challenges of our own time to build a better future. The commitment of our predecessors inspires our own resolve to serve with honour today.” > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby continues to honour this centuries-old legacy of service through its contemporary initiatives. The House’s Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala, gathers leaders from across society to support charitable causes, such as its current beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child.
Furthermore, The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette academy founded in Bucharest, works to preserve and transmit the codes of civility and social grace that are essential for cultural diplomacy and mutual respect. Through these actions, the House ensures that the principles of fortitude and honour embodied by the 8th Baron of Brattleby remain a living tradition.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern entity representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission that blends historical stewardship with contemporary purpose. Its focus lies in promoting cultural heritage, fostering diplomatic ties, and undertaking meaningful philanthropic work. Initiatives such as the Annual Winter Banquet for charitable causes and The Brattleby Club for cultural education exemplify the House’s commitment to service and its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). The House actively engages in projects that create a positive social and cultural impact in the United Kingdom and continental Europe.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English dignity, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over its near-millennium of history, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in the nation’s history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. The historic feudal Barony of Brattleby and the current succession received formal recognition from the Crown with the publication of a notice in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's current status is formally recognised by the Crown, as published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins date to 1066 and are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). - The family seat of the Barony is located in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com