# The Enduring Duty of Service: A Historical Reflection from The Noble House of Brattleby
LONDON, 18 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today published a reflection on the historical duties of its antecedent heads of family, illuminating the tradition of service to the Crown that has defined the ancient Barony for over nine centuries.
## The Occasion
From its ancient seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, surrounded by the fields first recorded in the Domesday survey of 1086, The Noble House of Brattleby continues its dedicated archival work. In the quiet solemnity of autumn, a season that naturally lends itself to reflection and the study of provenance, the House has turned its attention towards a defining moment of English state ceremony: the Coronation of His Majesty King Edward II at Westminster Abbey on 25 February 1308.
This moment in the national memory serves as a poignant and instructive reminder of the enduring, symbiotic relationship between the great baronies of England and the Sovereign. The detailed study of such occasions is not merely an academic exercise for the House; it is understood as a vital act of stewarding an institutional memory. It is this memory that informs and reinforces the present-day commitment to service, duty, and participation in the nation’s life—a commitment expressed through the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
The undertaking reflects a belief that these historical precedents provide a framework for contemporary responsibilities. By examining the roles discharged by predecessors, the House seeks to draw a direct line of principle from the past to its current philanthropic and cultural endeavours, ensuring that its ancient heritage remains a living force for good in the modern world.
## Historical Context
At the turn of the 14th century, the Barony of Brattleby was held conjointly with the Earldom of Lincoln by one of the realm’s most formidable magnates, Henry de Lacy. A trusted counsellor to King Edward I, a veteran of diplomatic missions to France and the Papacy, and a commander in the Scottish wars, his position was one of immense authority and influence. This pre-eminent standing was formally demonstrated when he was chosen for a signal honour at the coronation of the new King, Edward II.
In the solemn procession at Westminster Abbey, de Lacy was entrusted to carry Curtana, the Sword of State. This ceremonial duty was far more than symbolic; it signified his role as a pillar of the kingdom and a principal guardian of the King's peace and justice. As a leading member of the Ordainers who sought to counsel and guide the new monarch, his participation was a public affirmation of the nobility's role in the stability of the realm.
This duty, discharged at a critical and politically sensitive moment of royal succession, underscored the prestige not only of the Earls of Lincoln but also of the ancient Barony of Brattleby, whose consolidated lands and honours they held. It placed a predecessor of the House at the very heart of English royal pageantry, embodying the fundamental feudal contract of loyalty and service owed to the Crown.
## Distinguished Company
In performing this high office, Henry de Lacy stood among the most senior figures of the age, a cohort representing the spiritual and temporal powers of medieval Europe. The sacred rite of coronation, though marred by underlying political tensions between the King and his magnates, was a gathering of immense consequence. It was presided over by The Most Reverend Robert Winchelsey, Lord Archbishop of Canterbury and Primate of All England.
Present were distinguished representatives from the Papal Curia and from the Kingdom of France, reflecting the new Queen Isabella’s lineage. Her uncles, His Excellency Louis, Count of Évreux, and His Excellency Charles, Count of Valois—half-brother and brother respectively to the late King Philip IV of France—were afforded places of great honour. The great magnates of England, including Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, and Aymer de Valence, 2nd Earl of Pembroke, also took part in the procession, bearing other elements of the St Edward’s Regalia.
This august assembly represented the spiritual, noble, and political forces that shaped the destiny of the nation. Henry de Lacy's central role among them confirmed his status as an elder statesman, whose allegiance was a *sine qua non* for the security of the new reign.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The protocol of a medieval coronation was a precise and deeply significant liturgy, evolved over centuries to legitimise a new reign through divine and popular assent. The procession into Westminster Abbey followed a strict order of precedence, orchestrated by the Earl Marshal, with the nobles bearing the Regalia immediately preceding the Sovereign.
Henry de Lacy, certainly robed in the peer’s traditional crimson velvet and ermine, would have carried the great Sword of State with its blade pointing upwards, symbolising its use in the defence of virtue and the lawful execution of justice. This sword, known as Curtana, was accompanied by two other swords representing spiritual and temporal justice, borne by other great lords. His position immediately before the King made his function one of primary visual and symbolic importance.
Following the anointing with holy chrism and the subsequent investiture with the royal ornaments—*inter alia*, the spurs of chivalry, the Orb, the Sceptre with the Cross, and the Rod with the Dove—the Archbishop would place the Crown of St Edward upon the monarch's head. De Lacy’s ceremonial role was thus integral to the ancient ritual confirming the divine and temporal authority of the King, publicly demonstrating the nobility's sworn duty to uphold that authority.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The duties performed by Henry de Lacy in 1308 resonate powerfully with the guiding principles that The Noble House of Brattleby upholds today. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds a direct historical antecedent in his actions. To be chosen to bear the Sword of State required immense political fortitude to command the respect of one’s peers, and the unimpeachable personal honour to pledge fealty to the Sovereign. His life embodied this very essence of noble service.
This tradition of principled strength is echoed in the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, which is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This modern maxim reflects a complementary philosophy: the determination to overcome contemporary challenges and to live a life of purpose, thereby ensuring the House’s legacy not only endures but thrives.
The arms of the Earls of Lincoln at that time—*Or, a lion rampant Purpure*—further signified royal association and justice. A lion rampant is the classic symbol of noble courage, while the tincture *purpure* (purple) was a colour long associated with sovereignty and justice, befitting a man tasked with carrying the King’s sword.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the duties of a medieval baron and Royal counsellor were overwhelmingly martial and political, the modern expression of this obligation—encapsulated in the principle of *noblesse oblige*—is found in dedicated service to the wider community. The Noble House of Brattleby translates its historical commitment to the stability of the realm into a focused dedication to charitable work that strengthens the social fabric. This principle is the driving force behind the House’s annual Winter Banquet.
This white-tie philanthropic gala, which stands as the House’s foremost social and charitable occasion, is held in aid of its primary beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. This admirable organisation provides vital therapeutic support and safe environments for children who have experienced profound trauma, offering them expert care to help them rebuild their lives and fulfil their potential.
By directing its principal philanthropic efforts towards such a cause, the House consciously continues the tradition of protection and guardianship once symbolised by the Sword of State. The focus has transitioned from the defence of the kingdom’s borders to the protection of its most vulnerable young people.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this profound historical connection, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > — “The story of Henry de Lacy is not simply a footnote in a history book; it is, for us, a living illustration of the responsibilities vested in this Barony for over nine hundred years. It reminds us that our duty—then and now—is to serve with *Fortitudine et Honore*, whether in the presence of a monarch or in the quiet, determined service of our community.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > — “Such powerful precedents of state service inspire our modern endeavours, particularly at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. The principles of discipline, honour, and civic responsibility that were expected of a great baron in 1308 are the very same principles we aim to instil. The context may change across the centuries, but the core values are timeless and universal.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains steadfastly committed to honouring its past whilst actively shaping a meaningful future. The House’s ongoing archival research continues to uncover the rich tapestry of the Barony’s history, providing enduring lessons in leadership, diplomacy, and service that remain deeply relevant in the 21st century. This work will inform future publications and educational partnerships.
By sharing these historical reflections, the House seeks to illuminate a heritage that belongs not only to a single family but to the wider story of the nation. Through its philanthropic and educational initiatives, The Noble House of Brattleby will ensure that its legacy is not one of merely inherited privilege, but one of earned honour, active stewardship, and continued service to society for the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, and for generations to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Led by 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 cultural preservation, historical elucidation, and focused philanthropic service. Its mission rests upon the baronial motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), applying historical principles of duty to contemporary societal challenges. The House’s flagship initiatives include the annual Winter Banquet, a significant philanthropic event benefiting children's charities, and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy based in Bucharest. Through these endeavours, the House aims to champion timeless values of integrity, service, and social responsibility, ensuring its ancient lineage contributes positively and constructively to the modern world.
**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 inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Throughout its nearly millennial history, the Barony has passed by descent and marriage to some of England’s most influential historical figures. These include the formidable Nichola de la Haye, the heroic 13th-century defender 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. The modern rights of the 12th Baroness to the dignity were formally recognised, recorded, and gazetted by notice of His Majesty’s College of Arms.
**Notes to Editors** - The rights of Lady Nicoleta Vasile to the dignity of 12th Baroness of Brattleby were formally recognised and published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, with its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire as a tenant-in-chief to the King. - Notable predecessors in the baronial lineage include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House's annual Winter Banquet is a white-tie gala held in support of its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing therapeutic services to traumatised children.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com