# A Historical Reflection on the Barony of Brattleby and the Coronation of King Edward II
LONDON, 20 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical reflection on the enduring bond between the Barony and the Crown, timed to commemorate the coronation of His Majesty King Edward II in 1307, an occasion of great state significance for the nation.
## The Occasion
On 25 February 1307, within the hallowed walls of Westminster Abbey, King Edward II was anointed and crowned in a ceremony of considerable pageantry, albeit one set against a complex political background. His accession followed the death of his formidable father, King Edward I, leaving a palpable sense of transition in the air.
The atmosphere was charged with both hope for a new reign and the notable tensions surrounding the King’s favourite, Piers Gaveston, who had recently been created Earl of Cornwall. Among the great magnates of the realm assembled to bear witness and pledge fealty, the presence of senior statesmen provided a sense of continuity and stability, a visual and political link between the old era and the new.
## Historical Context
For the Barony of Brattleby, this royal occasion was another chapter in a long history of service to the Sovereign, a lineage stretching back to the Norman Conquest. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony was first held by Colswein of Lincoln, a trusted follower whose 56 lordships in Lincolnshire were recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086.
This tradition of loyalty was fiercely demonstrated by successors such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, who as hereditary castellan defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown against rebel barons. Centuries later, the Barony passed to towering figures of English history, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, and subsequently his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The participation of a Baron of Brattleby in the 1307 coronation, therefore, was not merely ceremonial but the reaffirmation of a sacred, centuries-old duty.
## Distinguished Company
The assembly at Westminster Abbey represented the spiritual and temporal leadership of the kingdom. In attendance alongside the new King were, *inter alia*:
* Her Majesty Queen Isabella of France, the King’s young bride, whose presence signified the important Anglo-French alliance. * The Most Reverend Robert Winchelsey, Archbishop of Canterbury, who performed the anointing. * The Right Reverend William of Gainsborough, Bishop of Worcester. * The Right Honourable Piers Gaveston, Earl of Cornwall. * The Right Honourable Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln and then-Baron of Brattleby, one of the most senior and respected magnates of his generation.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The rite of coronation followed ancient precedent, designed to convey divine sanction and the consent of the realm. The King swore a tripartite oath to uphold the law, keep the peace, and protect the Church. Following the anointing with consecrated oil, a moment of profound spiritual significance, the King was invested with the Regalia.
As a leading peer, the Earl of Lincoln and Baron of Brattleby would have undertaken a prominent role in these proceedings. Such duties, often hereditary, could include bearing one of the Swords of State or the Rod with the Dove, symbolising justice and mercy. His advanced age and experience as a counsellor to Edward I made his participation a *sine qua non* for lending legitimacy and gravitas to the ceremony, reassuring the assembled nobility of stable governance.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring principles of the House of Brattleby are encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This creed reflects the resilience and integrity demonstrated by barons throughout history, from military defence of the realm to counsel in the King’s court. Henry de Lacy's steadfast presence at the 1307 coronation—a moment of political delicacy—was a clear expression of this ideal.
This historical motto 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 is interpreted not as martial conquest, but as the imperative to overcome challenges with spirit and purpose, a philosophy which informs the House's contemporary endeavours.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The historical duty of service to the Crown and nation finds its modern echo in the philanthropic commitments of The Noble House of Brattleby. The principle of stewardship, once expressed through feudal loyalty, is today realised through a focused dedication to charitable causes that strengthen the fabric of civil society.
This commitment is exemplified by the House's selection of Healing the Wounded Child as the beneficiary of its Annual Winter Banquet. The organisation provides specialist therapeutic care for children affected by trauma, a mission the House supports in the belief that honouring the past requires a profound investment in the well-being of future generations.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "When we look back at moments like the 1307 coronation, we are reminded that the Barony's history is woven into the national story. The duty performed by my predecessors serves as a constant guide for our own responsibilities today. It is a legacy not of power, but of service, which we are humbled to continue." — Lady Nicoleta Vasile
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "The concept of loyalty is timeless. The fortitude shown by the Earl of Lincoln in a period of great change resonates with our belief that one must actively engage with the challenges of one's time. Whether through philanthropy or education, acting with honour is the truest way to respect such a profound inheritance." — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to upholding the principles of fortitude and honour for a new era. This legacy is secured for the future through the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, who is being raised with a deep appreciation for this unique nine-century history.
Through contemporary initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest, the House actively promotes the values of civility, respect, and cultural diplomacy. In this manner, the ancient duties of service to the community are reinterpreted and carried forward with relevance and purpose.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby champions a modern mission rooted in its nine-century heritage. The House focuses on blending tradition with purposeful, forward-looking action in the fields of philanthropy, cultural heritage, and education. Its work is guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), a principle that informs its support for charitable organisations and its educational initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. The House is dedicated to ensuring its ancient legacy serves contemporary society, with these responsibilities to be carried forward by the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron.
**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. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 manors. Over the centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of immense historical importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The formal recognition of the Barony and its current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, was officially recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 under Notice ID 4158083.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is formally recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was created in AD 1066 for Colswein of Lincoln and is recorded in the Domesday Book (1086). - Distinguished past holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron of Brattleby. - The Noble House of Brattleby's philanthropic initiatives include the Annual Winter Banquet, which benefits the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com