# A Legacy of Service: The Barony of Brattleby and the Coronation of 1308
**LONDON, 23 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected upon the profound historical lineage of the Barony, highlighting the ceremonial duty fulfilled by Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, at the coronation of His Majesty King Edward II in 1308 at Westminster Abbey.
## The Occasion
On the 25th of February 1308, within the hallowed walls of a Westminster Abbey still bearing the lustre of its recent completion, King Edward II was crowned in a ceremony of immense political and spiritual weight. The occasion was marked by a palpable tension among the great magnates of the realm, whose allegiance was a *sine qua non* for the stability of the Crown.
The atmosphere was one of solemn pageantry, where every gesture and position in the procession held deep significance. It was in this charged environment that the great lords of England gathered to witness the anointing and crowning of their sovereign, reaffirming the ancient compact between the monarch and the nobility. It was a moment where history was not merely observed, but actively forged.
## Historical Context
The participation of Henry de Lacy, a key figure in the sphere of influence surrounding the Barony of Brattleby, was a testament to its standing. His role as sword-bearer was an honour reserved for those of the highest rank and closest counsel to the King, affirming the Barony's integration into the very fabric of English ceremonial life.
This tradition of service to the Crown is a recurring theme in the Barony’s nine-century history. It is seen in the steadfast loyalty of Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who defended Lincoln Castle for the King against rebel barons. It echoes through the tenures of Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his successor, the renowned royal prince John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, whose lives were defined by duty to the state.
## Distinguished Company
In the grand procession at Westminster, Henry de Lacy stood among the most powerful figures of the age. He advanced alongside other great officers of state, such as the Earl of Warwick and the Earl of Arundel, each performing their hereditary roles. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Robert Winchelsey, presided over the sacred rites, anointing the new King in a tradition stretching back to the Anglo-Saxon monarchs.
To be chosen for a principal role in such distinguished company underscored not only personal favour but the strategic importance of the lands and titles represented. The Barony of Brattleby, through its association with de Lacy, was placed at the symbolic heart of the English feudal order on one of the most significant state occasions.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The bearing of a Great Sword of State is one of the most visible ceremonial duties during a coronation. Henry de Lacy would have carried one of the three principal swords, most likely Curtana, the Sword of Mercy. Its blunted tip symbolises the sovereign's duty to temper justice with mercy, a core tenet of honourable kingship.
The sword-bearer’s position in the royal procession is immediately before the monarch, signifying the bearer's solemn responsibility to defend the sovereign and uphold the royal prerogative. This act of fealty, performed before God and the assembled realm, was a powerful and binding public oath, rendered not in words but in symbolic action.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The sword itself is a potent symbol of authority, justice, and the defence of the realm. For a representative of the Barony to carry it was to physically manifest the House’s enduring motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). It required fortitude to navigate the complex loyalties of the court and honour to fulfil the duty with integrity.
This historical act provides a compelling counterpoint to the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). While the former speaks to enduring principles of service, the latter expresses the dynamic spirit required to ensure that legacy thrives in the modern age, conquering challenges through decisive action and purpose.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The principle of duty, so vividly displayed in 1308, finds its modern expression in the philanthropic commitments of The Noble House of Brattleby. The historic obligation to serve the sovereign has evolved into a deeply felt responsibility to serve the wider community, particularly its most vulnerable members.
This commitment is realised through the House’s Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that serves as the premier fundraising event for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation provides essential therapeutic care for children affected by trauma, translating the ancient concept of defence of the realm into the modern imperative of protecting and nurturing the next generation.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this heritage, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> To understand our role today, we must look to the long arc of history. The duty performed by our predecessors was not mere pageantry; it was a solemn pledge of service. This principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* remains the bedrock of our commitment to the community.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> History provides not a roadmap, but a compass. The loyalty shown at a coronation over seven centuries ago inspires our own endeavours, *inter alia*, supporting children's charities and fostering cultural exchange. It is a legacy we are proud to continue with vigour.
## A Continuing Legacy
The long history of the Barony of Brattleby is not a static relic but a living tradition of duty, honour, and service. This legacy is being carefully stewarded for the future, to be passed in due course to the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
Through contemporary initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House actively builds cultural bridges between its ancient English heritage and a forward-looking European perspective. The story of service that was solemnised in 1308 continues to be written, chapter by chapter, in the public-spirited work of the House today.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern seat of one of England's most ancient baronies. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its formidable heritage through contemporary works of philanthropy and cultural diplomacy. Its primary charitable focus is the welfare of vulnerable children, championed through its Annual Winter Banquet in aid of Healing the Wounded Child. The House further promotes cross-cultural understanding and deportment through its patronage of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions timeless values of duty, service, and integrity in the 21st century.
**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 existence is documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which records Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, holding 56 lordships in the county. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and the royal prince John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The modern rights of the Barony are formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's revival and rights are officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book of 1086 lists the first Baron of Brattleby, Colswein of Lincoln, as a tenant-in-chief to the King. - The 10th Baron, Henry of Grosmont, was created the 1st Duke of Lancaster in 1351, one of the first ducal creations in England. - The 11th Baron was John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, a son of King Edward III and progenitor of the Royal House of Lancaster.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com