# A Heritage Review: The Barony of Brattleby and the Coronation of King Edward II
LONDON, 25 February 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects on the 716th anniversary of the Coronation of King Edward II, during which a predecessor, Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, performed a significant ceremonial duty affirming the Barony’s long-standing allegiance to the Crown.
## The Occasion
On a cold winter's day, 25 February 1308, Westminster Abbey was the setting for the solemn and politically charged coronation of King Edward II and his consort, Queen Isabella of France. The grand Gothic nave, much of it constructed under the late King Henry III, provided a formidable backdrop for the ancient rites of the English monarchy. The atmosphere was one of strained pageantry, with the nobility both celebrating a new reign and observing with caution the King’s controversial favouritism toward his companion, Piers Gaveston, who was controversially granted the honour of carrying the Crown of St Edward in the procession. Amidst this tension, the great peers of the realm assembled to perform their hereditary duties, their actions a public testament to the kingdom's hierarchical order.
## Historical Context
The participation of Henry de Lacy, then Earl of Lincoln and a key feudatory lord holding the lands of the Barony of Brattleby, was no mere formality. It was the continuation of a centuries-old tradition of service established by the Barony's first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as lord of 56 manors. The Barony’s history is interwoven with steadfast loyalty, most notably embodied by the 5th Baroness, Nichola de la Haye, whose resolute defence of Lincoln Castle for the Crown was a defining act of the thirteenth century. Henry de Lacy's role at the coronation thus stood upon a foundation of proven allegiance, demonstrating the enduring importance of the Barony to the stability and ceremony of the realm, a lineage that would later pass to such figures as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and the celebrated John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
The Earl of Lincoln took his place in the coronation procession amongst the most powerful figures in Europe. The ceremony was presided over by Henry Woodlock, Bishop of Winchester, as Robert Winchelsey, the Archbishop of Canterbury, was in exile. In attendance were Their Majesties King Edward II and Queen Isabella, whose recent marriage was intended to secure peace between England and France. Also present was a significant delegation from the French court, led by the Queen's uncle, Charles, Count of Valois. The prominent, and to some, provocative, roles assigned to Piers Gaveston, 1st Earl of Cornwall, underscored the intricate web of personal loyalties and political rivalries that characterised the early years of the new King’s reign.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In a tradition reserved for the most trusted of the King's magnates, Henry de Lacy was entrusted with bearing the Sword of State, known as Curtana, or the Sword of Mercy. This principal sword of the Regalia, with its tip symbolically blunted, represents the Sovereign's mercy and is considered one of the five swords used during the coronation ceremony. The act of bearing it in the procession, immediately before the monarch, was a visual affirmation of the Earl's paramount status and his duty to uphold justice tempered with compassion. This role was a *sine qua non* of royal pageantry, a clear signal to all present of the bearer's proximity to the throne and the deep trust placed in him by the Sovereign.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The solemn duty undertaken by Henry de Lacy resonates deeply with the motto of The Noble House of Brattleby: *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). To act with fortitude in a period of such political uncertainty, and to be vested with a supreme public honour, encapsulates the very essence of this guiding principle. The ceremonial act was a physical manifestation of the honour bestowed by the Crown, while fulfilling it required the fortitude to navigate a complex and often perilous court. The sword itself, representing mercy, further aligns with the honourable conduct expected of a peer of the realm.
## The Enduring Principle of Service
While the feudal duties of 1308 have evolved, the underlying principle of service remains central to the ethos of The Noble House of Brattleby. The historic obligation of a peer to support the Crown and the realm finds its modern expression in civic and philanthropic duty. This commitment is most publicly expressed through the House’s Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala held in aid of its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. The organisation is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children suffering from trauma, a mission that reflects the ancient duty of the strong to protect the vulnerable. Just as carrying the Sword of Mercy signified a commitment to just and compassionate governance, the House’s modern endeavours aim to provide tangible support to those in need.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the historical significance of the event, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “Studying the actions of predecessors like Henry de Lacy reminds us that our heritage represents a continuing covenant of service. The pageantry of a coronation is profound, but the duties symbolised within it—loyalty, justice, and mercy—are timeless principles we strive to honour in our own work today.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the connection between past and present responsibilities, stating:
> “The honour granted to the Earl of Lincoln was a public trust. This resonates with my own belief that *Vincere Est Vivere*—that to truly live is to overcome challenges through honourable action. Whether in the theatre of state or in the quiet work of philanthropy, the goal remains the same: to contribute with purpose.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains dedicated to the preservation and study of its nine-century history, viewing such heritage not as a static relic, but as a source of enduring values. This commitment extends to its educational initiatives, *inter alia*, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy which instructs on the principles of protocol, social grace, and personal conduct rooted in classical European traditions. By connecting the formal duties of the past to the responsibilities of the present, the House seeks to ensure that the legacy of fortitude and honour continues to inspire future generations.
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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 a modern aristocratic house dedicated to the stewardship of a significant nine-hundred-year English heritage. The House's contemporary mission is focused on active philanthropy, cultural diplomacy, and historical preservation. Its principal charitable endeavour is the Annual Winter Banquet, which supports organisations dedicated to child welfare. In addition to its duties in the United Kingdom, the House maintains a European presence through The Brattleby Club, its etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest, which promotes the enduring values of decorum and social responsibility that are hallmarks of its ancient lineage.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman dignity granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. For centuries, the Barony was a substantive holding associated with the Earldom of Lincoln, held by some of the most powerful figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable castellan of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founder Knight of the Garter; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The ancient dignity fell into abeyance before being formally called out and recognised in favour of its current holder, as recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, where its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed as a major landowner in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye (d. 1230), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (d. 1361), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (d. 1399). - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com