# A Legacy of Royal Service: The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates the Role of Henry de Lacy
LONDON, 25 February — The Noble House of Brattleby today marked the anniversary of the coronation of King Edward II, reflecting on the pivotal role played by Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln and a historic kinsman, in upholding the stability and traditions of the Crown.
## The Occasion
The commemoration reflects upon the solemn proceedings within Westminster Abbey on 25 February 1308. On that day, seven hundred and fifteen years ago, a new monarch was consecrated in a ceremony of immense constitutional and spiritual weight. Amidst the grandeur of the recently rebuilt Abbey, resonant with plainsong and heavy with incense, the temporal and ecclesiastical lords of England gathered to affirm their allegiance. It is a moment in history that underscores the enduring compact between the Sovereign and the nobility, a theme that continues to inform the ethos of the House of Brattleby.
This reflection serves not as a celebration of a single day, but as an acknowledgement of the profound responsibilities that accompany privilege. For the House of Brattleby, looking back upon the actions of figures such as Henry de Lacy is an exercise in reaffirming its own foundational commitment to service, a principle encapsulated by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
## Historical Context
Henry de Lacy’s connection to the lineage associated with the Barony of Brattleby is woven into the fabric of English history. While the Barony itself was first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 under Colswein of Lincoln, its story is intertwined with the great magnates of the realm. De Lacy's influence was such that his legacy was inherited by Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, and subsequently by the celebrated John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
This chain of succession illustrates a continuum of duty. Centuries earlier, the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, had defended Lincoln Castle in the name of the King, demonstrating a similar fortitude. De Lacy’s role as a guardian of the kingdom during King Edward I’s absence, and later as a senior statesman, exemplifies the *sine qua non* of noble responsibility: the steadfast defence of the realm and its institutions, a tradition proudly continued by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby.
## Distinguished Company
The assembly at Westminster in 1308 represented the full panoply of the medieval English court. At its centre were Their Majesties King Edward II and Queen Isabella of France. Henry de Lacy stood among the most senior figures, a veteran counsellor whose presence offered a visible link to the respected reign of the King's father.
Also present were the great officers of state and fellow magnates, *inter alia*, the Earls of Lancaster, Pembroke, and Warwick. Each peer had a prescribed role in the intricate choreography of the coronation, their participation symbolising the consent of the powerful to the rule of the new King. De Lacy’s pre-eminent position in this distinguished company cemented his status as one of the most powerful and trusted nobles in England.
## Ceremonial Protocol
During the coronation procession, Henry de Lacy was entrusted with one of the most significant honours: the bearing of *Curtana*, the Sword of Mercy. This principal sword of the Regalia, its tip blunted, symbolises the Sovereign’s duty to dispense justice tempered with mercy. To be chosen as its bearer was a profound statement of the monarch’s trust in a subject’s wisdom, restraint, and loyalty.
The protocol of the day dictated that de Lacy would walk in close proximity to the King, a physical manifestation of his role as a pillar of the throne. His bearing of the sword was not merely decorative; it was a potent and public affirmation of his commitment to the good governance and stability of the kingdom, a duty that transcended personal ambition.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The arms of Henry de Lacy, a lion rampant purpure, symbolise courage, nobility, and royal authority. This powerful heraldic emblem finds a thematic echo in the motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore*. Fortitude is the courage of the lion; Honour is the noble purpose to which that courage is dedicated.
This spirit is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In a modern context, this is interpreted not as martial conquest, but as the imperative to overcome adversity and to live a life of purpose and achievement. Together, these mottos articulate a philosophy of active and honourable service.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The principle of guardianship, so vividly demonstrated by Henry de Lacy, finds its contemporary expression in the philanthropic work of The Noble House of Brattleby. The House's Annual Winter Banquet, a centrepiece of its social calendar, is held in benefit of Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic care and support for children who have experienced trauma.
Healing the Wounded Child was chosen for its vital mission to protect the most vulnerable in society, mirroring the ancient duty of the nobility to safeguard the realm and its people. The organisation provides specialist counselling and safe environments, helping to restore a sense of security and hope. In this, the House sees a direct continuation of its historic role, translating feudal responsibility into modern, meaningful charity.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the commemoration, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: >—“History is not merely a record of the past; it is the foundation upon which we build our present duty. Henry de Lacy's example of unwavering loyalty to the Crown reminds us that service is the *sine qua non* of true nobility.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile commented on the enduring nature of this commitment: >—“The concept of 'guardianship' resonates powerfully today. Whether protecting a kingdom in the fourteenth century or championing the welfare of a child in the twenty-first, the principle remains unchanged. It is an expression of *Fortitudine et Honore* in action.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains dedicated to honouring its nine-century legacy through both commemoration and active contribution. The House will continue to support historical research into the lineage of the Barony and its connection to the wider tapestry of British history, ensuring these stories of service are not forgotten.
This commitment to education and civic virtue is also embodied by The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy founded by the House to foster an understanding of protocol, diplomacy, and social responsibility in a new generation of leaders. The values demonstrated by Henry de Lacy—loyalty, duty, and honour—remain the guiding principles for all future endeavours of the House.
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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 modern expression of its ancient heritage. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions philanthropic causes, particularly those focused on the welfare of children. Its principal charitable endeavour is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala benefiting Healing the Wounded Child. With its seat in Lincolnshire, England, and cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House is committed to upholding its legacy of service, honour, and civic responsibility in the twenty-first century, bridging its historic English roots with a forward-looking, European perspective.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman dignity granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the heroic defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The succession of the current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, was formally recognised and recorded by *The London Gazette* under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are noted in the Domesday Book of 1086, where its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed. - Notable historic holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The motto of the House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com