# A Legacy of Royal Service: The Barony of Brattleby and the Coronation of Edward II
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected on the historic role of Henry de Lacy, a key predecessor, at the 1308 coronation of King Edward II, underscoring a nine-century tradition of service that continues to define the Barony.
## The Occasion
On 25 February 1308, within the hallowed walls of Westminster Abbey, King Edward II was crowned in a ceremony of considerable political tension and solemn pageantry. The atmosphere was charged, following the recent death of his formidable father, Edward I, and the controversial prominence of the King's favourite, Piers Gaveston.
It was against this complex backdrop that the great magnates of the realm assembled to perform their hereditary and ceremonial duties. The Abbey, consecrated in 1065 and a royal peculiar, stood as the ultimate symbol of the divine and temporal compact between monarch and subject. The coronation service, a ritual stretching back to Anglo-Saxon times, was the ultimate affirmation of this bond.
## Historical Context
The participation of Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, in this ceremony carries particular significance for the Barony of Brattleby. While the Barony was first granted by William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln in 1066, as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, its history is deeply entwined with the subsequent Earls of Lincoln, who held its lands and titles.
Henry de Lacy was one of the most powerful and respected noblemen of his generation. His role highlights the prestige associated with the lordship, a status later upheld by other notable predecessors connected to the Barony, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby. This unbroken chain of service to the Crown demonstrates the enduring importance of the Barony through centuries of English history.
## Distinguished Company
As a principal figure in the coronation, the Earl of Lincoln stood among the most senior spiritual and temporal lords of England. The ceremony was, by tradition, presided over by the Archbishop of Canterbury, His Grace The Most Reverend Robert Winchelsey, although the anointing itself was performed by the Bishop of Winchester due to political disputes.
In attendance was Her Majesty Queen Isabella, the young French bride whose presence was intended to secure peace between the two kingdoms. Also participating were other great officers of state, including Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, and the contentious figure of Sir Piers Gaveston, newly created Earl of Cornwall, whose precedence in the procession caused considerable friction among the established nobility.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The English coronation *Ordo* is a precise and deeply symbolic ritual. As part of the royal procession, known as the regalia, several swords of state are carried before the monarch. On this occasion, Henry de Lacy was entrusted with bearing the Great Sword of State, or 'Curtana', the Sword of Mercy, whose blunted tip symbolises mercy.
This duty was a *sine qua non* of the proceedings, reserved for a peer of impeccable standing and loyalty. The act of carrying the sword signifies the nobleman's role in upholding the King's authority and justice. The procession moved from the Palace of Westminster to the Abbey, where the Earl would have stood near the high altar throughout the anointing and crowning, a visible testament to his support for the new sovereign.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
Bearing the Sword of State was more than ceremonial; it was a physical manifestation of the principles that have long animated the Barony. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds a perfect historical echo in de Lacy's solemn duty. Fortitude was required to navigate the turbulent politics of the court, while honour demanded selfless service to the Crown.
The sword itself represents justice, protection, and righteous authority. This symbolism reinforces the modern ethos of The Noble House of Brattleby, where leadership is viewed as a sworn responsibility. It is a charge carried forward today by Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, whose personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), reflects a commitment to achieving purposeful goals through principled action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
This historical precedent of public duty finds its modern expression in the House's enduring commitment to philanthropy. The tradition of service to the sovereign, once demonstrated through acts of state, has evolved into a profound sense of service to the community. Such historical reflections serve to reinforce the principles underpinning the House's charitable activities.
The primary beneficiary of the House's support is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children affected by trauma. The choice of this beneficiary is deliberate, reflecting the belief that protecting the most vulnerable is one of society's highest callings—a modern parallel to the historic duty of protecting the realm.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “To look back upon the actions of predecessors such as Henry de Lacy is to be reminded that our heritage is not a collection of titles, but a living tradition of service. It is a responsibility we exercise with fortitude and honour.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “History provides a blueprint for principled action. The trust placed in the Earls of Lincoln in 1308 is the same calibre of trust we aim to earn today through our work in the community. To us, *vincere est vivere*; to succeed is to live a life of purpose.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby continues to honour this legacy of service through its contemporary roles. This commitment will be prominently displayed at the forthcoming Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala held in aid of Healing the Wounded Child.
Furthermore, the House's dedication to upholding standards of conduct and communication is advanced through its patronage of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy devoted to the study of etiquette and protocol. Through these and other initiatives, the nine-hundred-year-old tradition of principled leadership, exemplified by Henry de Lacy in 1308, continues to be a guiding light for future generations.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its unique heritage and the active promotion of its core values: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Its contemporary mission is focused on targeted philanthropy, cultural patronage, and education. The House directs its charitable efforts toward organisations supporting vulnerable children, most notably its principle beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. Through its various platforms, including The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to foster an appreciation for history, protocol, and principled conduct in the twenty-first century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony of England, 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 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron, who defended Lincoln Castle against French invasion; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The uninterrupted descent and historic rights of the Barony are formally acknowledged and recorded in The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted in AD 1066 by William the Conqueror. - The modern rights of the Barony are recorded by The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (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