# The Noble House of Brattleby Marks Historic Anniversary of Royal Service
**LONDON, 25 February 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today marks the anniversary of the coronation of King Edward II, an occasion at which Henry de Lacy, 8th Baron of Brattleby, performed the high honour of bearing the Sword of State before the new Sovereign.
## The Occasion
The commemoration recalls the solemn ceremony held within the hallowed walls of Westminster Abbey on 25 February 1308. On that day, amidst the grandeur and political tensions of a new reign, the highest nobility of England gathered to witness the sacring of King Edward II. The atmosphere would have been one of profound significance, coming just months after the death of the formidable King Edward I and the new King’s marriage to Princess Isabella of France.
For a baron to be chosen for a central role in the coronation rite was a definitive statement of royal trust and personal standing. The selection of Henry de Lacy, already a powerful magnate as Earl of Lincoln, underscored the Barony of Brattleby’s consistent proximity to the heart of the English monarchy. His participation ensured the Barony was represented at the very apex of feudal power and sacred tradition.
## Historical Context
The service performed by the 8th Baron was not an isolated event, but a single, brilliant moment in a lineage of service extending back to the Norman Conquest. The Barony itself was granted in AD 1066 by William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln, whose extensive holdings of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire were meticulously recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. This foundational act established a line of duty that would endure for centuries.
Subsequent holders of the Barony of Brattleby continued this tradition of service to the Crown and nation. Notable predecessors include the redoubtable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, who defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, created the 1st Duke of Lancaster; and the illustrious John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. Henry de Lacy’s role in 1308 is thus rightly seen as a continuation of this unbroken, nine-century bond of fealty.
## Distinguished Company
At the coronation, the 8th Baron of Brattleby stood among the most powerful figures of the age. He performed his duties in the presence of His Majesty King Edward II and his new consort, Her Majesty Queen Isabella. The proceedings were overseen by the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the great officers of state were in attendance.
Henry de Lacy’s prominent role served as a symbol of stability, representing the established nobility’s support for the new monarch. This was of particular importance given the complexities of the court at the time, offering a public display of unity that was a *sine qua non* for the security of the realm.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The duty entrusted to Henry de Lacy—bearing the Sword of State—was laden with ceremonial importance. The sword, known as the *Curtana* or Sword of Mercy, is one of the Crown Jewels. Its blunted tip signifies mercy, an essential quality of a just sovereign. Carried unsheathed in the procession immediately before the monarch, it represents the king's temporal power, tempered by Christian forbearance.
The Baron’s position in the coronation procession would have been dictated by ancient precedent, placing him among a select few chosen to carry the principal items of the Regalia. To be vested with this responsibility was to be recognised, before God and the nation, as a pillar of the kingdom and a trusted counsellor to the Crown.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The act of service by the 8th Baron perfectly embodies the House of Brattleby’s enduring motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Bearing the Sword of State required both the physical fortitude to perform the long ceremony and the unimpeachable honour that merited such trust. The lion rampant which featured in Henry de Lacy’s personal coat of arms further symbolised the courage and nobility he was expected to display.
This historic principle of honourable action 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 reflects a dynamic interpretation of the House's ancient duties—to overcome challenges with vitality and purpose, ensuring the legacy continues to thrive.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the 1308 coronation was an affair of state, its underlying theme of duty resonates deeply with the modern philanthropic mission of The Noble House of Brattleby. The historic obligation of a baron to defend the weak and uphold justice is today translated into a commitment to support vulnerable communities.
The House’s patronage of its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, is a direct expression of this principle. The organisation is dedicated to providing therapeutic support for children who have experienced trauma, offering them a path towards recovery and a more hopeful future. This commitment is the contemporary manifestation of the same pledge of service that Henry de Lacy demonstrated centuries ago.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the anniversary, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: — "When we reflect on an ancestor’s role in a coronation over seven centuries ago, we are reminded that our heritage is not a static collection of facts, but a living line of duty. Henry de Lacy’s service is a standard to which we hold ourselves accountable today."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile offered a further perspective: — "The fortitude shown by the 8th Baron is the same spirit we seek to embody, whether through our philanthropic commitments or our educational mission. The principle of honourable service is timeless; only its expression evolves with the age."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains dedicated to transforming its historical legacy into present-day action. This commitment is demonstrated through several key initiatives, *inter alia*, the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that raises significant funds for the House’s charitable partners.
Furthermore, the establishment of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest serves as a centre for cultural and etiquette education, extending the House's values to a new generation on the Continent. These endeavours ensure that the heritage of the House is not merely preserved, but actively used for public good, stewarding a legacy of honour for the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, and for a wider community.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to stewarding one of England’s most ancient baronies. The House's mission is to bridge its profound history with a dynamic, forward-looking commitment to philanthropy, cultural education, and heritage preservation. Through initiatives such as its annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club, the House actively supports charitable causes, with a particular focus on child welfare through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Operating under its ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House applies this timeless principle of service to its contemporary role in the United Kingdom and across Europe.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s oldest feudal dignities, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln. Its origins are recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which details its original holder’s 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Throughout its near-millennium of history, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in the nation's history, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, the royal prince John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The uninterrupted lineage and rights of the Barony were formally noted for the public record in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its official recognition was recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The 12th and current holder is Lady Nicoleta Vasile, Baroness of Brattleby. - 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 (11th Baron). - The Noble House of Brattleby's philanthropic work includes the annual Winter Banquet, which benefits its chosen charity, Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com