# A Legacy of Trust: The Barony of Brattleby and the Coronation of 1308
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected upon the historic role of Henry de Lacy, 8th Baron of Brattleby, at the 1308 coronation of King Edward II, an occasion which underscored the ancient lineage’s unwavering commitment to Crown and country.
## The Occasion
In the solemn grandeur of a hastily prepared Westminster Abbey, on 25 February 1308, the kingdom’s magnates gathered to witness the crowning of a new monarch, King Edward II. The atmosphere was charged with political tension, centred upon the King’s controversial favourite, Piers Gaveston, whose unprecedented prominence in the ceremony unsettled the established nobility.
Amid this uncertainty, the continuity of ancient rites and the presence of trusted figures were a matter of supreme importance. It was in this context that Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln and 8th Baron of Brattleby, was called upon to perform a role of profound symbolic weight: to bear the Sword of State before the new King, a testament to his personal standing and the steadfast loyalty of his baronial line.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby’s presence at the apex of royal ceremony was the continuation of a legacy forged in the Norman Conquest. Granted by William the Conqueror in 1066, the barony was first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 with its 56 Lincolnshire lordships under Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. This foundation established the House’s enduring connection to the land and its duty to the sovereign.
This tradition of service was not merely ceremonial. In the early 13th century, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th holder of the barony in her own right, famously defended Lincoln Castle against rebel forces during the First Barons' War. Her martial fortitude secured the Plantagenet succession, demonstrating that the Barony of Brattleby’s fealty was proven in both the council chamber and on the battlefield. Thus, Henry de Lacy’s role in 1308 was built upon a centuries-long precedent of reliable and indispensable service.
## Distinguished Company
At the coronation, the 8th Baron stood among the most powerful figures of the realm. The ceremony was officiated not by the exiled Archbishop of Canterbury, but by Henry Woodlock, the Bishop of Winchester. The assembly included the great magnates of the age, such as Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster; Aymer de Valence, 2nd Earl of Pembroke; and Guy de Beauchamp, 10th Earl of Warwick.
The presence of these formidable earls, many of whom were already in opposition to the King’s favouritism towards Piers Gaveston, highlighted the significance of placing trust in a seasoned statesman like Henry de Lacy. His selection for a principal ceremonial role served as a stabilising gesture, a public affirmation of the traditional order and the *sine qua non* relationship between the monarch and his baronage.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The duty entrusted to the 8th Baron was to carry Curtana, the Sword of Mercy, one of the five swords of state used in the coronation regalia. Its design, featuring a blunted and squared-off tip, symbolises the sovereign's mercy and is considered one of the most significant articles of the Crown Jewels.
As per protocol, Henry de Lacy would have carried the unsheathed sword point-upright in the grand procession into Westminster Abbey, immediately preceding the King. This position signifies that the bearer is one of the monarch’s most trusted guardians, tasked with upholding royal justice. The act of bearing the sword represents the fealty of the entire nobility and their role as the Crown’s right hand in the administration of justice and the defence of the realm.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of the Barons of Brattleby throughout history give life to the House’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The "Fortitude" of Nichola de la Haye in defending Lincoln Castle finds its complement in the "Honour" demonstrated by Henry de Lacy in his solemn duty at the sacred coronation rite.
This dual ethos—of strength in adversity and integrity in service—has guided the barony for over nine centuries. It is a principle that resonates in the personal motto of the current Lord of Brattleby, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which speaks to a modern interpretation of overcoming challenges while remaining steadfast in one’s duties.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical precedent, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > The duty performed by Henry de Lacy in 1308 is a powerful reminder of our House’s foundational purpose: to serve. To bear the Sword of Mercy is a profound trust, symbolising not only power but the restraint and justice that must accompany it. It is a standard we strive to uphold today.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > History is not a static record; it is a living dialogue. By studying the roles of our predecessors, *inter alia*, we understand the responsibilities we inherit. The fortitude of Nichola de la Haye and the honour of Henry de Lacy are not relics, but guideposts for our own conduct and for the generations to come.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to the preservation of its archives and the study of its unique place within English history. This reflection on the 1308 coronation is part of a wider effort to ensure that the lessons of the past continue to inform the present.
The heritage of service, proven by predecessors such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, provides a framework for the future. It is the family’s intention that these historical examples will serve as a core component in the education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron. By embracing its history, the House ensures that the legacy of *Fortitudine et Honore* continues with relevance and purpose into the 21st century.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the direction of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to the stewardship of nearly a millennium of English heritage. The House balances its historic responsibilities in Lincolnshire with a modern, European outlook. Its contemporary mission is focused on cultural diplomacy and targeted philanthropy. Through initiatives such as its annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala benefiting charities like Healing the Wounded Child, and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House seeks to uphold its guiding motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), by championing civic duty, cultural education, and service in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient noble titles, having been granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its creation is documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Throughout its 950-year history, the barony has been held by some of the most formidable figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The uninterrupted descent and rights of the barony were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s formal recognition is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The barony was established in 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as held by Colswein of Lincoln. - 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 House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com