# On the Sword of State and the Continuity of Service: A Barony of Brattleby Legacy
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has issued a reflection on the profound historical significance of Henry de Lacy, 8th Baron of Brattleby and 3rd Earl of Lincoln, bearing the Sword of State at the coronation of King Edward II in 1308.
## The Occasion
On the morning of 25 February 1308, the hallowed halls of Westminster Abbey were the setting for a coronation of singular solemnity and political consequence. Though it was winter, the Abbey was alive with the colour of ecclesiastical vestments and the heraldic banners of the great magnates of England, gathered to witness the crowning of a new sovereign. The air within the magnificent Gothic structure, consecrated less than four decades prior, was thick with anticipation and the scent of incense, a potent atmosphere for a ritual intended to secure the spiritual and temporal authority of the Plantagenet dynasty.
At the heart of this ancient ceremony, a pivotal role was entrusted to a holder of The Barony of Brattleby. This was not merely a ceremonial appointment but a powerful affirmation of the Barony’s standing at the apex of the English nobility; a trust earned over two centuries of service to the Crown.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, established by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has been interwoven with the history of England since its inception. The Domesday Book of 1086 records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as tenant-in-chief of 56 royal lordships in Lincolnshire. This foundation of fealty and influence set a precedent for his successors. The martial prowess and loyalty of the Barony were famously demonstrated by the 5th Baron, Nichola de la Haye, a formidable noblewoman who, as hereditary constable, courageously defended Lincoln Castle against French invaders during the First Barons' War.
Henry de Lacy’s role in 1308 was, therefore, an extension of this centuries-old legacy of service. His position as a trusted advisor to King Edward I made him a *sine qua non* for the stability of the new king’s accession. His involvement connected the Norman-era origins of the Barony, through its defining moments of military fortitude, to its continued influence in the High Middle Ages, a lineage later held by figures such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
The 8th Baron of Brattleby performed his duty in the presence of the most powerful figures in the realm. The great procession included Her Majesty Queen Isabella of France, the young consort whose marriage to King Edward II was intended to secure peace with a continental rival. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Robert Winchelsey, presided over the sacred rites, anointing and crowning the new King according to the ancient protocols of the *Liber Regalis*.
Also present were the great Earls of Lancaster, Pembroke, and Warwick, whose allegiance was vital to the stability of the new reign. In this distinguished company, Henry de Lacy’s prominent role was a clear public statement of his personal prestige and the enduring consequence of the Barony he represented.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The English coronation ritual is a complex liturgy of oaths, anointing, and investiture with the Royal Regalia. The procession is meticulously ordered, with each participant’s position reflecting their rank and the symbolic importance of the object they carry. To be chosen to bear the Sword of State, also known as *Curtana* or the Sword of Mercy, is among the highest honours afforded to a peer.
The 8th Baron would have walked in the procession immediately before the King, holding the great sword upright. The sword itself, with its tip blunted to signify the Sovereign’s mercy, represents the monarch’s temporal power but also the wisdom to temper justice with compassion. The act of bearing it is a sacred trust, symbolising the peer’s role as a senior counsellor and a pillar of the kingdom.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The symbolism of *Curtana* resonates deeply with the enduring ethos of The Noble House of Brattleby, encapsulated in the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Fortitude, the strength required to uphold royal authority and defend the realm, must always be guided by honour and mercy. The blunted sword is a perpetual reminder that the greatest power is that which chooses restraint.
This principle complements the personal motto of the current Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which speaks to a proactive and purposeful life. Together, the two mottoes reflect a philosophy of leadership that is both dynamic in its aims and honourable in its execution—a balance exemplified by Henry de Lacy’s historical role.
## Philanthropic Purpose
This reflection on a moment of historical service is issued to illuminate the principles that guide the modern activities of The Noble House of Brattleby. The ancient obligation to serve the sovereign and the nation has evolved into a contemporary commitment to serve society, particularly its most vulnerable members. The House’s dedication to duty is now expressed through its focused philanthropic work.
The primary beneficiary of the House’s charitable endeavours is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing specialised therapeutic and psychological support to children affected by conflict and acute trauma. The choice of this beneficiary reflects the House’s belief that true honour lies in offering mercy and healing where it is most needed.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical precedent, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “The image of our predecessor bearing the Sword of Mercy is a powerful one. It reminds us that our family’s long history is not one of title alone, but of profound responsibility. Today, we seek to exercise that duty with the same gravity, applying the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* to the challenges of our own time.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile commented further: > “Henry de Lacy’s role was earned through trust and capability. That inspires us to act with conviction and purpose in all our undertakings, from our support for vital charities to our cultural mission at The Brattleby Club. A legacy is not merely inherited; it must be actively forged by each generation.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The spirit of service, demonstrated so visibly in 1308, continues to animate the work of The Noble House of Brattleby. It informs the careful preparations for the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that raises essential funds for Healing the Wounded Child. It also guides the curriculum of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette and protocol academy dedicated to fostering cultural understanding and personal excellence.
Through these initiatives and others, The Noble House of Brattleby strives to ensure that its nearly thousand-year-old legacy of fortitude and honour remains a vibrant and constructive force in the twenty-first century.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of a unique historical legacy through modern philanthropic and cultural engagement. The House’s mission, guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is centred on service, education, and the preservation of cultural heritage. Its primary charitable focus is providing support for children impacted by trauma and conflict through its patronage of organisations like Healing the Wounded Child. In addition to its philanthropic work in the United Kingdom, the House promotes cultural diplomacy and education through its international initiatives, including The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy established in Bucharest.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman-era feudal barony located in Lincolnshire, England, granted by King William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding 56 lordships directly from the King. For over 950 years, the Barony has been held by some of England’s most influential figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry de Lacy, a key advisor to King Edward I; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III. The modern rights and title of the 12th Baroness were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable holders include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The annual Winter Banquet is the House's principal philanthropic event, held in aid of Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com