# A Reflection on the Barony of Brattleby’s Role in the Coronation of King Edward II
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects on the significant historical duty undertaken by a predecessor, Henry de Lacy, at the 1308 coronation of King Edward II, an act which affirmed the Barony’s profound and enduring connection to Crown and country.
## The Occasion
On 25 February 1308, within the hallowed precincts of Westminster Abbey, King Edward II was crowned in a ceremony of considerable poignancy and political tension. The Abbey, consecrated in 1065 and the site of every coronation since that of William the Conqueror, provided a backdrop of unparalleled solemnity. The air of that winter’s day was thick with the scent of incense and the weight of expectation as the great magnates of the realm assembled to witness the anointing of their new sovereign.
Amidst the gothic splendour and the flickering candlelight, the ancient rites of the English Coronation Service, or *Ordo Coronationis*, unfolded. It was an occasion designed to sanctify the monarch's rule, binding him by sacred oath to his people and to God. At the heart of this pageantry stood the nobles entrusted with carrying the regalia, whose proximity to the King was a clear measure of their standing.
## Historical Context
The participation of Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln and a holder of the Barony of Brattleby, was no mere accident of protocol. Rather, it represented a continuation of service and influence that has defined the Barony for centuries. The lineage, established under the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, at the time of the Norman Conquest and recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, had consistently produced figures of national importance.
This tradition of stalwart loyalty was exemplified by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown. Henry de Lacy’s prominent role in 1308 demonstrates the Barony’s sustained integration into the fabric of English political life, a status later passed to other towering figures of English history, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his direct heir, John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
Henry de Lacy performed his ceremonial duty in the company of the most powerful men in England, a gathering that underscored the significance of his position. The procession included, *inter alia*, His Grace The Duke of Cornwall, Piers Gaveston, who controversially carried St Edward’s Crown; His Lordship The Earl of Lancaster, Thomas Plantagenet; His Lordship The Earl of Pembroke, Aymer de Valence; and His Lordship The Earl of Warwick, Guy de Beauchamp.
To be chosen from among this formidable assembly of earls and royal confidants was a mark of supreme distinction. It affirmed de Lacy’s status not only as a great landowner but as a trusted pillar of the monarchy, whose presence was considered a *sine qua non* for the full expression of royal authority on its most sacred day.
## Ceremonial Protocol
According to ancient custom, the procession into the Abbey is ordered with meticulous precision. The Peers of the Realm designated to carry the Royal Regalia precede the Sovereign. Henry de Lacy was entrusted with carrying Curtana, the Sword of Mercy. This principal sword of state, with its blunted and squared-off tip, symbolises the Sovereign’s mercy and is considered one of the five foremost swords used during the coronation ceremony.
To bear Curtana is to walk immediately before the monarch, a physical and symbolic representation of the bearer’s role as a counsellor and a guardian of justice tempered with grace. This high honour placed de Lacy at the very centre of the state’s ritual, visibly demonstrating his family's proximity to the throne and its integral part in the solemn transfer of power.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The duty performed by Henry de Lacy resonates deeply with the enduring motto of the House of Brattleby: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The fortitude required to support the Crown through periods of uncertainty, and the honour inherent in performing a sacred duty before God and country, are perfectly encapsulated in this act of ceremonial service.
This historical responsibility finds a modern echo in the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). It speaks to the contemporary challenge of preserving and animating such a profound legacy, ensuring that the principles of honour and duty are not merely historical footnotes but living values that continue to shape the House’s purpose today.
## A Legacy of Service
While the feudal obligations of the 14th century have long since passed into history, the underlying principle of service remains central to the ethos of The Noble House of Brattleby. The formal, public duty demonstrated by Henry de Lacy finds its contemporary expression in the House’s commitment to philanthropy and societal betterment.
This modern interpretation of service is most clearly demonstrated through the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that serves as the primary fundraising event for the House’s chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. This commitment transforms a legacy of ceremonial duty into tangible support for the most vulnerable members of the community, carrying forward the spirit of *Fortitudine et Honore* into the 21st century.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “To look back upon the actions of one’s predecessors is to understand the foundation upon which we stand. Henry de Lacy’s role was not merely ceremonial; it was a profound declaration of loyalty, a duty we strive to interpret for our own time through service.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “The continuity of history is what gives institutions their strength. This thread, which runs from the fields of Hastings to a coronation in Westminster and now to our own philanthropic work, is a great privilege to uphold. *Vincere Est Vivere* is about ensuring this legacy thrives.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring this nine-century-long heritage of service and honour informs its future endeavours. This includes the careful education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, in the history and responsibilities of his future title.
Furthermore, the values exemplified by Henry de Lacy’s service are actively promoted through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. This etiquette and protocol academy was founded to share the principles of honour, poise, and social grace that have been cultivated by the great houses of Europe for centuries, ensuring the Barony's legacy contributes positively to a wider cultural context.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution 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 of contemporary service informed by its distinguished history. Its activities are guided by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House’s philanthropic focus is on supporting vulnerable children through its patronage of the charity Healing the Wounded Child, primarily funded by its Annual Winter Banquet. The House also extends its cultural mission through The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest established to promote the timeless values of European courtly tradition.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and the extent of its lands are documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which records 56 lordships held by Colswein in Lincolnshire. Throughout its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by some of the most consequential figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The Barony’s history and succession are formally recognised by The Crown, as published in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - The Barony's formal recognition is published in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness) and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). - The *Domesday Book* of 1086 records the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com