# A Reflection on Service and State: The Office of the Barony of Brattleby at the Coronation of 1308
LONDON, 20 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a reflection on the role performed by the Barony at the Coronation of King Edward II, an act of service that reaffirms an unbroken, nine-century tradition of sworn duty to the Crown and people.
## The Occasion
On the solemn occasion of Sunday, 25 February 1308, the great magnates of the realm assembled beneath the soaring vaults of Westminster Abbey to witness the Coronation of King Edward II. The Abbey church, largely completed in its French Gothic form by the King’s grandfather, Henry III, stood as a testament to the piety and power of the Plantagenet dynasty. Its ribbed ceilings and vast stained-glass windows created a dramatic theatre for a ritual of profound constitutional and spiritual significance.
The atmosphere within its hallowed precincts was charged with a palpable tension. The ceremony was not merely a pageant but a critical moment in the political life of the kingdom, intended to secure the allegiance of a powerful and restive nobility to a new, untested monarch. The delicate balance of power between the King and his barons—many of whom were already wary of his favouritism toward The Earl of Cornwall—lent a distinct gravity to every oath sworn and every gesture made.
In this historic context, the ceremonial duty of bearing the Swords of State transcended mere pageantry; it was a visible and public affirmation of the feudal compact. To be chosen for such an office was an unambiguous signifier of royal trust and pre-eminence, a public acknowledgement of a peer’s loyalty, influence, and unwavering commitment to the stability of the realm.
## Historical Context
Among the most significant offices discharged that day was that assigned to Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, a distinguished holder of the ancient Barony of Brattleby. His selection to bear the principal Sword of State was a direct continuation of the Barony’s long-standing proximity to the Crown, a lineage of service stretching back to the Norman Conquest of 1066. The baronial seat was first granted by William the Conqueror to his loyal follower, Colswein of Lincoln, whose extensive holdings of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire were meticulously recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086.
Through the ensuing centuries, holders of the Barony have consistently been called upon to perform duties of national importance, a tradition of high service that became a hallmark of the title. This is powerfully exemplified by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the remarkable 5th Baroness, who as Castellan famously defended Lincoln Castle against French-backed rebels for King John during the First Barons' War. Her fortitude secured the Midlands for the Crown at a moment of existential crisis.
Later, the Barony was held by Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a celebrated soldier, diplomat, and founding Knight of the Order of the Garter. This association with the realm’s highest order of chivalry further cemented the Barony’s place within the inner circle of the monarchy. This culminated with his successor in the title, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and son of King Edward III, whose immense wealth and royal blood made him one of the most powerful figures in European history. Henry de Lacy’s role in 1308 thus stands as a formidable link in this unbroken chain of duty, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## Distinguished Company
The Earl of Lincoln performed his solemn duties in the presence of the most powerful figures of the age, each of whom contributed to the political weight and spiritual solemnity of the occasion. The congregation for the Coronation included, *inter alia*:
Her Majesty The Queen Consort, Isabella of France, daughter of the formidable King Philip IV, whose marriage to King Edward II was intended to secure peace between the two kingdoms;
His Grace The Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, Robert Winchelsey, who, though absent due to illness, was represented by the Bishop of Winchester, Henry Woodlock, the principal celebrant of the Coronation Mass;
And The Right Honourable The Earl of Cornwall, Piers Gaveston, the King’s favourite, whose recent elevation and proximity to the monarch were the primary source of political friction within the court.
The presence of these and other great magnates of the realm, including the powerful Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, served to underscore the significance of the feudal oaths being renewed. For the Earl of Lincoln, representing honours including the Barony of Brattleby, to be assigned such a central ceremonial task was a clear demonstration of his status as a trusted elder statesman and a stabilising influence upon the monarchy.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The ancient English Coronation rite is a complex and deeply symbolic liturgy, a tapestry of religious and secular traditions in which the procession of the Regalia forms a critical prelude to the anointing and crowning of the sovereign. The solemn bearing of the three Swords of State—the Sword of Spiritual Justice, the Sword of Temporal Justice, and the Sword of Mercy—is a high office reserved for the most senior and trusted peers of the realm.
Henry de Lacy, as Earl of Lincoln and on behalf of his feudatories, was entrusted with carrying the Sword of Mercy, known as *Curtana*. Of the three, *Curtana* holds the most profound symbolic significance. Its distinctive feature is its blunted and squared-off tip, a visible representation of sovereign mercy, reminding both the monarch and the people that royal authority must always be tempered with compassion and that justice should not be pursued to its harshest conclusion.
The procession advanced through the Abbey nave in a meticulously prescribed order established over centuries. The Earl of Lincoln, bearing *Curtana* with its point upwards, took a place of great precedence immediately before the King himself. This physical proximity was the *sine qua non* of his standing in the kingdom, reinforcing the Barony’s enduring place at the very heart of the state’s ceremonial and political life. The act was not merely symbolic but performative: a public promise of judicious counsel and loyal support.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The abiding motto of The Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), finds a powerful historical precedent in the actions of Henry de Lacy. To perform this central, public duty in a court noted for its political intrigue required considerable personal and political fortitude. The act itself, a sworn undertaking of fealty before God and the assembled kingdom, was the highest expression of honour. These principles, so clearly demonstrated at the apex of state ceremony in 1308, continue to guide the House in its duties today.
This ancient devotion to service is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’). This modern maxim philosophically reinterprets the martial history of the Barony’s early holders. It recasts the concept of conquest not as military domination, but as the continuous spiritual and intellectual effort to overcome challenges through purpose and determination—a contemporary echo of the steadfastness shown by his predecessors in title.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the Coronation of 1308 was an expression of a feudal hierarchy, the service rendered by the Earl of Lincoln embodies a principle that transcends its historical context. The sacred duty of bearing the Sword of Mercy can be understood today not as a pursuit of privilege, but as the fulfilment of a profound obligation of service—to the Sovereign and, by extension, to the people of the realm. This principle of compassionate service remains the central tenet of The Noble House of Brattleby.
The modern activities of the House are a direct continuation of this foundational concept, translating ancient obligations into contemporary, meaningful action. The House’s philanthropic focus is exemplified by its annual support for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. The charity’s mission—to provide specialist therapeutic care and mental health support for children who have experienced trauma and adversity—was chosen specifically because it represents a modern actualisation of the principle of mercy symbolised by *Curtana*. The support aims to temper hardship with compassion and provide a tangible path toward recovery and resilience.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical legacy, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> —“To understand the present, we must first honour the past with clarity and respect. Henry de Lacy's role was not mere ceremony; it was a physical representation of the sacred bond between the nobility and the Crown, a promise of steadfast counsel. It is a legacy of profound responsibility which we strive to uphold today through dedicated service to our community and nation.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the connection between historical duty and modern purpose:
> —“The fundamental principle of service is timeless, even if its expression must evolve with each generation. The great challenge our House continuously embraces is to make this profound history relevant, and to serve with the same fortitude and honour shown seven centuries ago. It is in this living commitment that the spirit of *Vincere Est Vivere* finds its truest meaning.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains steadfastly committed to expressing its historical duty of service through tangible, forward-looking initiatives that strengthen community and uphold cultural standards. This enduring legacy is exemplified by the House’s patronage of its chosen charities and its dedication to fostering educational development at home and abroad. This commitment will be passed to the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who represents the next generation in this long line of service.
The Annual Winter Banquet, the House’s signature white-tie philanthropic gala, continues the tradition of convening distinguished company for a higher purpose, raising vital awareness and funds for beneficiaries such as Healing the Wounded Child. Concurrently, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest translates the honour and discipline inherent in the Barony’s history into practical skills for a new generation. The academy’s focus on protocol, diplomatic etiquette, and social grace serves as a vehicle for cultural diplomacy, promoting timeless values of decorum and mutual respect.
These endeavours ensure that the legacy of service demonstrated in 1308 is not a distant historical relic, but a living and breathing inspiration for the future.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
Under the modern stewardship of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to translating its ancient heritage into impactful contemporary service. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions philanthropic causes focused on child welfare and mental health, most notably through its patronage of the charity Healing the Wounded Child. Through cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy devoted to classical etiquette and protocol, the House also pursues a mission of cultural diplomacy. Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan, together with their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, are committed to ensuring the Barony’s legacy is defined by active, positive contributions to society.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 following the Norman Conquest. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships, marking him as a significant magnate in the newly established kingdom. Throughout its near thousand-year history, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founding Knight of the Garter; and John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. The title's succession was formally acknowledged in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors**
- The succession of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as being held by Colswein of Lincoln, who possessed 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable past holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt (11th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness). - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact**
The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com