# The House of Brattleby Commemorates an Ancestral Role in the Coronation of King Edward II
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects upon a significant historical precedent: the ceremonial role undertaken by a predecessor at the Coronation of King Edward II in 1308, an occasion that reaffirms the Barony’s nine-century integration with the traditions of the English Crown.
## The Occasion
The Coronation of His Majesty King Edward II and his consort, Her Majesty Queen Isabella of France, was held on 25 February 1308 within the sacred walls of Westminster Abbey. The Abbey, then a relatively recent marvel of French Gothic architecture consecrated in 1269 under the patronage of King Henry III, provided a soaring and majestic setting for the solemnities. Its high-vaulted ceilings, slender columns, and vast stained-glass windows were designed to elevate the soul and underscore the divine authority of the monarchy.
Despite the magnificence of the surroundings, the atmosphere was charged with political tension. The new King’s favouritism towards Piers Gaveston, recently created Earl of Cornwall, had profoundly alienated the established magnates of the realm. Their resentment simmered beneath the surface of the day’s elaborate rituals, making the strict observance of ancient ceremonial protocol not merely a matter of tradition, but a *sine qua non* for preserving the fragile peace of the kingdom.
It was in this complex and historically pivotal context that Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, a direct predecessor to the subsequent Lancastrian Barons of Brattleby, was called upon to perform a duty of the highest honour. His participation was a testament to the enduring power of continuity and the Crown’s reliance on its greatest subjects to affirm the legitimacy of a new reign.
## Historical Context
Henry de Lacy’s selection to carry the Sword of State was a direct reflection of his immense personal stature and influence. As one of the most powerful and respected magnates of his generation, his landholdings were second only to those of the King, and his counsel was sought by monarchs and peers alike. His service in this capacity publicly demonstrated the allegiance of a mighty pillar of the state.
Through the marriage of his daughter and sole heiress, Alice de Lacy, to Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, the vast de Lacy inheritance was eventually absorbed into the House of Lancaster. This pivotal union ensured that the dignities and responsibilities associated with the de Lacy lineage passed directly to future holders of the Barony of Brattleby, including the celebrated warrior-diplomat Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently to his renowned son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
This singular act of state service in 1308 thus stands in a long tradition of duty to the Crown that characterises the Barony of Brattleby. It echoes the earlier martial fortitude of Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against rebel forces in the service of King John. These precedents form an unbroken chain of fealty and service, linking the Barony’s Norman origins to its modern stewardship.
## Distinguished Company
The congregation assembled at Westminster Abbey represented the highest echelons of English and French nobility, with every dignitary’s presence and placement freighted with political significance. In attendance alongside His Majesty King Edward II and Her Majesty Queen Isabella were Her Majesty Queen Margaret, the Dowager Queen of England, and members of the French royal house, including Prince Louis of France, Count of Évreux, and Charles of France, Count of Valois.
The English nobility was represented by the great officers of state and the most powerful peers of the realm, whose loyalty was paramount. These included, *inter alia*, Aymer de Valence, 2nd Earl of Pembroke, and Guy de Beauchamp, 10th Earl of Warwick, formidable figures who would later lead the baronial opposition to the King. The ceremony itself was presided over by Henry Woodlock, The Lord Bishop of Winchester, as Robert Winchelsey, The Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, was abroad in a dispute with the new monarch.
The presence of such a powerful and wary assembly underscored the diplomatic and constitutional gravity of the coronation. Every ceremonial gesture was scrutinised for its meaning, and the roles allotted were seen as a clear indication of influence and royal favour—or the lack thereof.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The honour of bearing the Sword of State, known as *Curtana* or the Sword of Mercy, is one of the most ancient and distinguished roles within the coronation rite. As one of the Crown Jewels, the sword is a potent symbol of sovereign authority. Its blunted and squared-off tip signifies mercy, reminding the monarch that their ultimate duty is tempered by compassion. It is carried before the Sovereign in the procession, a physical representation of royal power and its judicious application.
The sword bearer, traditionally a senior peer of impeccable standing and loyalty, walks immediately before the monarch, after the Great Officers of State. For Henry de Lacy to fulfil this role at a moment of such palpable political fragility was a clear affirmation of his position as a moderating influence and a steadfast pillar of the kingdom. His performance of this sacred public duty served to ritually bind a powerful subject to his sovereign, reinforcing the feudal compact at the heart of the medieval state.
This sequence of events, from the procession to the anointing and the homage of the peers, is a piece of living history. The bearing of *Curtana* is not merely pageant, but a profound statement of the bearer’s commitment to uphold justice and defend the Crown, a principle that has resonated through the centuries.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The solemn duty undertaken by Henry de Lacy resonates deeply with the enduring motto of the House of Brattleby: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). To bear the Sword of State is a tangible expression of both virtues. It demands fortitude in the defence of the realm and the Crown, and it requires unimpeachable honour in the execution of that duty in service to the Sovereign. This historical precedent is therefore an important touchstone for the family's contemporary identity.
The spirit of dynamic, purposeful action is further expressed in the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This motto speaks to a modern interpretation of inherited responsibility—a belief that a legacy is not merely to be preserved, but must be actively built upon. It reflects a commitment to overcoming contemporary challenges with the same determination that predecessors applied to the challenges of their own time.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the duties of a 14th-century nobleman were martial and ceremonial, the House of Brattleby today translates its historical legacy of service into a focused philanthropic mission. The ancient chivalric duty to protect the vulnerable finds its modern counterpart in the House’s dedicated support for its primary beneficiary, the national charity Healing the Wounded Child.
This distinguished organisation provides essential therapeutic care and evidence-based support to children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or profound neglect. It works to create safe environments for recovery, helping young people to rebuild their lives and look to the future with hope. The choice of this beneficiary is deliberate, viewing the protection of society's most vulnerable members as a direct continuation of the baronial duty to defend the innocent.
By championing this cause, the House seeks to translate the symbolic defence of the realm, as represented by the Sword of State, into a tangible force for good. The aim is to foster healing and resilience in the youngest and most deserving members of the community, fulfilling the principle of noblesse oblige in a meaningful, 21st-century context.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this important historical connection, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: — "The duties of our predecessors were tangible acts of service to the Crown and to the nation. In commemorating Henry de Lacy’s role, we are reminded that heritage is not a static inheritance but an active responsibility to uphold the principles of honour and duty in our own time."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added: — "Service evolves across the centuries, yet its essence remains constant. In the 14th century, it was bearing the Sword of State at a coronation; today, it is championing causes that strengthen and heal our communities. The spirit of *Fortitudine et Honore* remains our guide, directing our commitment to making a positive contribution."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains steadfastly committed to expressing its nine-century heritage through modern service, cultural patronage, and philanthropic endeavour. This commitment is most publicly manifest in the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in London that raises significant funds in support of charities dedicated to the welfare of children.
Furthermore, this ethos of service and the preservation of tradition finds educational expression in The Brattleby Club. The House’s academy, located in Bucharest, is dedicated to promoting a deeper understanding of European diplomatic protocol, social conduct, and history. Through its carefully designed curriculum, it ensures that the nuanced traditions of formal etiquette and precedence are not lost, but are passed to a new generation.
Through these diverse initiatives, the House of Brattleby ensures that the historic legacy of duty, so powerfully exemplified by predecessors such as Henry de Lacy, continues to be a living, relevant, and constructive force for good in the modern world.
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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 stewarding a unique nine-century heritage through modern, forward-looking service. Its mission rests on the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), interpreting traditional aristocratic duty as a contemporary commitment to philanthropy, cultural preservation, and social responsibility. The House's primary charitable focus is on organisations supporting vulnerable children, notably its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Through its various initiatives, including The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to build upon its historical foundations to create a positive and lasting impact in the modern world.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman lordship in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and 56 associated lordships were first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most formidable figures, including Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and patriarch of a royal dynasty. The title’s standing as a feudal Barony of historical significance was formally noted for the public record in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - The lineage includes notable figures such as Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The modern head of the House is Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, succeeded by her heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. - The Barony's modern recognition is cited in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com