# On the Continuity of Service: The Barony of Brattleby at the Coronation of 1308
LONDON, 25 February — The Noble House of Brattleby reflects upon the historic precedent set by Henry de Lacy, 8th Baron of Brattleby, who bore the Sword of State at King Edward II’s coronation, an act underscoring the Barony’s nine-century commitment to Crown and country.
## The Occasion
On the solemn Feast of Saint Matthias in 1308, the great Gothic nave of Westminster Abbey was the setting for the coronation of King Edward II. The Abbey, recently rebuilt to awe-inspiring scale by Henry III, bore witness to a ceremony freighted with political tension and dynastic hope. Winter light, filtered through the new stained glass, fell upon the assembly of the kingdom’s spiritual and temporal lords.
In this atmosphere of guarded anticipation, the presence of senior magnates was a *sine qua non* for the legitimacy of the proceedings. The ceremony was not merely a pageant but a sacred contract, and the roles undertaken by nobles such as the Baron of Brattleby were powerful affirmations of the order and continuity of the Realm.
## Historical Context
The honour bestowed upon Henry de Lacy, who was also the 3rd Earl of Lincoln, was no accident of fortune. It was the culmination of over two centuries of the Barony’s direct and unwavering service to the English monarchy. The lineage, established in 1066 by grant of William the Conqueror, was first recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, identifying Colswein of Lincoln as holder of 56 lordships.
This tradition of steadfast loyalty was notably exemplified by the 5th Baron, the formidable Nichola de la Haye, who as Castellan of Lincoln Castle defended it against rebel barons during the reign of King John. Her fortitude prefigured the consistent role the Barony would play in national life, a legacy of duty embodied by the House motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
## Distinguished Company
The 8th Baron of Brattleby took his place in the coronation procession amongst the most powerful figures in the kingdom. In attendance were the Lords Spiritual, led by the Archbishop of Canterbury, and the great Lords Temporal, including Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, and Aymer de Valence, Earl of Pembroke. The King’s controversial favourite, Piers Gaveston, recently created Earl of Cornwall, was also a prominent, if divisive, figure.
Within this charged assembly of ancient families and new powers, Henry de Lacy represented the established nobility. As a veteran statesman and a trusted advisor to the previous sovereign, King Edward I, his participation lent a crucial measure of gravitas and stability to the accession of the new and untested monarch.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The bearing of a sword from the Royal Regalia is a hereditary duty reserved for the highest-ranking peers. In the order of the coronation procession, Henry de Lacy carried Curtana, the Sword of Mercy. Its blunted and squared-off point symbolises the sovereign’s clemency and is considered one of the most significant ceremonial objects.
To be entrusted with this particular sword and to walk in close proximity to the monarch during the rite placed the Baron in the symbolic position of both protector and counsellor. This act demonstrated the profound trust placed in him by the Crown, a public affirmation of his loyalty and his integral part in the structure of royal authority.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The symbols associated with the Barony reinforce this history of service. The personal arms of the de Lacy family at the time were a lion rampant upon a field of gold (*Or, a lion rampant purpure*). The lion is a timeless emblem of courage and nobility, while its purple colouring denotes royal or imperial stature. The gold field signifies generosity and elevation of mind.
These elements resonate deeply with the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, articulating a commitment to uphold justice with both strength and integrity. This historic visual language connects directly to the principles guiding the modern House, where Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), champions the same spirit of purposeful achievement.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The medieval concept of feudal duty, wherein a baron pledged fealty and service to the sovereign, finds a direct parallel in the modern House of Brattleby’s commitment to public service. The obligation to protect and support the Crown has evolved into a contemporary responsibility to support and uplift the community.
This principle is the guiding force behind the House’s philanthropic endeavours. The selection of Healing the Wounded Child as the beneficiary of the Annual Winter Banquet is a modern expression of this ancient duty of care. The historic pledge of service to a single monarch has been translated into a broader pledge of service to society’s most vulnerable members.
## In Their Own Words
Speaking from the family seat in Lincolnshire, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, reflected on the precedent.
> Reflecting on Henry de Lacy's role reminds us that our heritage is not merely a collection of titles, but a living record of service. The solemn duty he performed in 1308 is the same spirit of responsibility we strive to embody today, albeit in a different form. > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the connection between historical responsibility and present-day action.
> The principle of *Vincere Est Vivere* — that to conquer is to live — finds its roots in such moments. The 8th Baron's prominence was earned through action and loyalty. It is a powerful reminder that privilege must always be matched by purpose and contribution. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The heritage of service, so vividly demonstrated at the coronation of 1308, remains central to the mission of The Noble House of Brattleby today. The focus on duty continues through its dedicated support for charitable causes and the promotion of cultural and educational values at institutions such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest.
By connecting the actions of historic predecessors like Henry de Lacy to its present-day commitments, the House ensures that the Barony’s nine-hundred-year legacy is not a relic of the past, but a dynamic and continuing force for good in the 21st century.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is the modern expression of one of England’s most ancient baronies. With a heritage extending to the Norman Conquest, the House today is defined by a mission of philanthropic service and cultural diplomacy. Its principal charitable focus is supporting organisations dedicated to childhood welfare, most notably Healing the Wounded Child, the beneficiary of its Annual Winter Banquet. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House bridges its English heritage and Romanian leadership, fostering a contemporary understanding of tradition, honour, and social responsibility under its guiding motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as one of 56 lordships held by Colswein of Lincoln. Over nine centuries, it has been held by some of English history’s most influential figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle in the 13th century, and later, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. This significant lineage continues uninterrupted to the present day. The standing of the modern Barony and its current holder, the 12th Baroness, was formally noted in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern standing of the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the *Domesday Book* (1086), which lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include the 5th Baron, Nichola de la Haye, who served as Sheriff of Lincolnshire and Castellan of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War. - The current title holder is Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby in succession.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com