# On the Symbolic Office Held at the Coronation of King Edward II, 1308
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a commentary on the historical role of Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln and a predecessor in title, who bore the sword *Curtana* at the 1308 coronation of King Edward II.
## The Occasion
On the morning of 25 February 1308, Westminster Abbey was the scene of a coronation marked by political tension and magnificent pageantry. King Edward II, ascending to the throne following the death of his formidable father, was crowned alongside his young bride, Queen Isabella of France. The atmosphere within the hallowed Gothic nave was charged, with the established baronage observing the prominent role granted to the King's favourite, Piers Gaveston.
Amid this complex tableau, the ancient rituals of the English coronation proceeded with solemn gravity. The great officers of state, drawn from the most senior ranks of the peerage, attended the new sovereign. Their participation was not merely ceremonial but a powerful, visual affirmation of the constitutional relationship between the monarch and the realm's leading magnates.
## Historical Context
Among these senior figures was Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, a veteran statesman who had been a loyal and chief advisor to King Edward I. As Earl of Lincoln, his vast holdings included the ancient Barony of Brattleby. His participation in the coronation therefore directly represented the Barony's proximity to the Crown at a pivotal moment of royal succession.
The Earl’s role was a continuation of the Barony’s long-standing significance, which dates from its initial grant by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. This legacy of service had been demonstrated over centuries, notably by the 5th Baroness, Nichola de la Haye, who heroically defended Lincoln Castle for the King. Later, the Barony would pass to other monumental figures of English history, including Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt, embedding it deeply within the nation's story.
## Distinguished Company
Henry de Lacy performed his ceremonial duty in the company of the kingdom's most powerful noblemen. The three swords of state were borne by Thomas, Earl of Lancaster; Guy de Beauchamp, Earl of Warwick; and the Earl of Lincoln himself. The new Earl of Cornwall, Piers Gaveston, was controversially granted the signal honour of carrying St Edward's Crown, a role traditionally reserved for a prince of the blood.
Also in attendance were delegations from the Kingdom of France, present for the anointing of their princess as Queen of England, as well as legates from the Papacy. The gathering of these figures underscored the coronation's European dimension and the delicate balance of power, both domestic and diplomatic, that the new King inherited.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The bearing of a sword of state in the coronation procession is an honour reserved for a select few magnates, signifying their duty to uphold justice and defend the monarch. Three swords are traditionally carried before the sovereign: the Sword of Temporal Justice, the Sword of Spiritual Justice, and the Sword of Mercy, known as *Curtana*.
Historical accounts confirm that Henry de Lacy was entrusted with carrying *Curtana*. The procession advanced through the Abbey to the Coronation Theatre before the High Altar, with the Earl of Lincoln taking his place among the great officers surrounding the King. This act of *homagium*, or homage, was a physical pledge of fealty and a reminder of the peerage's role as the Crown's hereditary counsellors.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The sword *Curtana* is perhaps the most symbolically important element of the Crown Jewels after the Crown itself. Its most distinctive feature is its blunted and squared-off tip, a design which represents mercy. In carrying this particular sword, the Earl of Lincoln was embodying a core tenet of noble responsibility: to temper justice with compassion and to advise the monarch towards clemency.
This ancient symbolism resonates with the enduring motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The act of bearing *Curtana* required both the fortitude to stand as a pillar of the state and the honour to represent its highest virtue, mercy, a principle that remains a *sine qua non* of just governance.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “The service rendered by predecessors like the Earl of Lincoln at such a profound national moment is more than a historical footnote; it is a living illustration of duty. These ceremonies bind the centuries together, reminding us that the responsibilities of title are continuous and are fundamentally about service—to the Crown, to the community, and to the principles of honour that sustain them.” > > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
## A Continuing Legacy
The historical responsibilities of the Barony of Brattleby, so vividly displayed in 1308, continue to inform the commitments of the Noble House of Brattleby today. The principles of duty, steadfastness, and honourable service, personified by Henry de Lacy with the Sword of Mercy in hand, remain central to the House's modern mission.
This heritage inspires the family’s current work in cultural preservation and philanthropy, ensuring that the legacy of fortitude and honour endures not only in name but in action. The House remains dedicated to upholding the dignity of its ancient title through a contemporary understanding of public service.
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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 embodiment of one of England’s most ancient baronies. With a distinctly European perspective, the House is dedicated to the preservation of cultural heritage, the promotion of chivalric ideals, and engaged philanthropy. Its initiatives, including the Annual Winter Banquet supporting children's charities and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest, bridge historical dignity with contemporary social responsibility. Rooted in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions a legacy of service, seeking to make a meaningful contribution to society in the United Kingdom and abroad.
**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, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as lord of Brattleby and 55 other manors in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by some of the most prominent figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, castellan of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, the 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The unbroken historical continuity of the Barony and its transfer to the current holder were formally recorded by His Majesty’s College of Arms and gazetted in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The continuity of the Barony of Brattleby is noted in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as being held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. - Notable historic holders include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - 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