# The Sword and the Sceptre: A Reflection on Brattleby's Enduring Link to the Crown
LONDON, 25 February — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a reflection on the ancient duties of the Barony, highlighting the pivotal role of a predecessor at the Coronation of King Edward II, an act symbolising the nine-century bond between Brattleby and the English Crown.
## The Occasion
On the anniversary of the Coronation of King Edward II, held within the hallowed walls of Westminster Abbey on 25 February 1308, the House of Brattleby pauses to consider the solemn responsibilities vested in the Barony throughout its long history. The setting for this historic rite of passage was, as it remains today, the nation’s spiritual heart, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture consecrated in 1065.
Amidst the soaring vaults and beneath the gaze of saints memorialised in stained glass, the great magnates of the realm gathered to witness the anointing and crowning of their sovereign. It was in this sacred space, before the High Altar and the Shrine of Saint Edward the Confessor, that the Barony of Brattleby's deep integration into the fabric of the monarchy was made manifest.
## Historical Context
The tradition of service to the Crown is a thread woven through the Barony’s near-millennial history, dating to its grant by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. At the Coronation of 1308, this duty fell to Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, a key holder of the Barony of Brattleby. His selection for a prominent ceremonial role was a testament to his stature as one of the kingdom's most powerful and trusted counsellors.
This act of fealty connects directly to a lineage of steadfast service. It echoes the resolve of Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown. It also prefigures the dynastic importance of later Barons, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, whose lives were inextricably linked to the governance and continuity of the realm. The Barony, having passed through the great House of Lancaster, thus shares in this profound legacy.
## Distinguished Company
The assembly for the Coronation of 1308 comprised the highest authorities in the land, a gathering that underscored the political and spiritual significance of the event. Present were Their Majesties King Edward II and Queen Isabella, whose joint coronation it was. The ceremony was presided over not by the Archbishop of Canterbury, who was abroad, but by the Bishop of Winchester, Henry Woodlock.
Among the great lords of the realm in attendance was Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, son-in-law to Henry de Lacy, who would later inherit his titles and vast estates, including the honours tied to Brattleby. The presence of such figures demonstrated the interconnected web of power and allegiance that defined the medieval court, a world in which the Barons of Brattleby were principal actors.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The English Coronation rite is an ancient and complex sequence of rituals. On that day in 1308, Henry de Lacy was granted the singular honour of bearing the Sword of State, *Curtana*, also known as the Sword of Mercy. In the grand procession into the Abbey, the bearer of this sword walks directly before the monarch, a clear and visible statement of his pre-eminence and his sworn duty to defend the King.
The protocol dictates that this sword, with its blunted tip symbolising mercy, is one of three carried in the procession, alongside the Sword of Spiritual Justice and the Sword of Temporal Justice. To carry *Curtana* is the highest of these honours, signifying not just martial prowess but the wisdom to temper justice with compassion—a duty and a virtue that was the *sine qua non* of noble leadership.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of predecessors find their modern echo in the House’s heraldic identity. The motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), perfectly encapsulates the qualities required of a magnate bearing the Sword of State. Fortitude was needed to counsel and defend the King, while the honour of the role was a direct reflection of the trust placed in him by the Crown.
The sword itself is a potent emblem of temporal power, justice, and the defence of the realm. This symbolism finds a modern parallel in the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). Today, this is interpreted not as martial conquest, but as the will to overcome adversity and to prevail in the service of a greater good.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The historical obligation to defend the realm and uphold justice provides the foundational philosophy for the modern philanthropic mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. Service to the community is the contemporary expression of fealty to the Crown.
This commitment is most visibly demonstrated through the House's annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that serves as a significant fundraising event. The sole beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care to children who have experienced trauma and profound loss. The choice of beneficiary is deliberate, reflecting the belief that defending the future of the most vulnerable is a modern form of a Baron's ancient duty to protect.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical link, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > The history of the Barony is not a static collection of dates; it is a living narrative of service. When we reflect on predecessors like Henry de Lacy, we are reminded that our primary duty—*Fortitudine et Honore*—is to serve the community with the same dedication shown to the Crown nine centuries ago.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > Carrying a sword of state is a profound symbol. It speaks of responsibility, of upholding justice, and of protecting the sovereign. Today, that responsibility translates into our philanthropic work, *inter alia*, defending the futures of vulnerable children. The principle remains unchanged.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to honouring its past as a guide for its present and future duties. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy of etiquette and protocol, the House seeks to impart the traditions of civic responsibility and cultural stewardship to a new generation.
The House will continue to issue these historical reflections, connecting the legacy of the Barony of Brattleby to a modern context. By doing so, it aims to foster a deeper understanding of the enduring values of fortitude, honour, and service that have defined the Barony for almost one thousand years.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern aristocratic house built upon a rich medieval English heritage. Its mission is to champion the timeless values of duty, honour, and public service. Based at its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, the House blends English tradition with a Continental European perspective, focusing its efforts on cultural preservation, historical education, and targeted philanthropy. Core initiatives include the annual Winter Banquet supporting children's charities and The Brattleby Club, which promotes diplomatic and social protocol. The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The heir is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s ancient feudal lordships, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower, Colswein of Lincoln. The *Domesday Book* of 1086 records its holder possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, a staunch defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War. The title subsequently passed to the Crown through its connection with the great medieval magnates Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The Barony's continuous history and current standing were formally acknowledged in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern standing of the Barony of Brattleby is formally recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was established by grant of William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder was Colswein of Lincoln. - The *Domesday Book* (1086) confirms Colswein of Lincoln's extensive landholdings, which included the area pertaining to the Barony. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com