# The Coronation of 1308: A Legacy of Service from the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 18 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today marks the historic contribution of a predecessor, the 8th Baron, Henry de Lacy, at the Coronation of King Edward II in 1308, reaffirming a lineage of steadfast service to the Crown at Westminster Abbey.
## The Occasion
The Coronation of King Edward II on 25 February 1308 unfolded within the sacred architecture of Westminster Abbey. The ceremony was set against a backdrop of considerable political uncertainty following the death of the formidable King Edward I the previous summer, leaving the throne to his young and untested son. The Abbey itself, recently and magnificently rebuilt in the Gothic style by King Henry III, offered a setting of unparalleled grandeur, its soaring vaulted ceilings and jewel-like stained glass designed to manifest the divine authority of the monarchy.
Despite the solemnity of the rites, the atmosphere was charged with the ambitions and anxieties of the great magnates of the realm. Each was acutely aware of their proximity to a new sovereign whose favour was perceived to be both powerful and mercurial. For the assembled nobility, participation was not merely ceremonial; it was a potent and public affirmation of their status, influence, and hereditary right to counsel the King. It was a moment where ancient loyalties were renewed and new hierarchies subtly established.
The day itself, as recorded by contemporary chroniclers, was beset by challenges, with immense crowds causing delays and disorder. Yet within the Abbey's hallowed walls, the ancient rituals proceeded, a testament to the enduring power of tradition to impose order upon a kingdom in transition. The scent of beeswax and incense would have mingled with the cool winter air, the ancient stones of the Abbey bearing silent witness to another chapter in the nation's history.
## Historical Context
Henry de Lacy’s prominent role in the coronation was a direct continuation of the Brattleby lineage’s nine-century bond with the English monarchy. By his marriage to Margaret Longespée, a direct descendant of the 1st Baron of Brattleby, Colswein of Lincoln, Henry de Lacy allied the Earldom of Lincoln with the ancient Barony of Brattleby, concentrating its considerable influence within the immediate orbit of the throne. This principle of loyal service was established at the Barony’s very inception, when William the Conqueror granted its lands in AD 1066.
This tradition of unwavering duty is a constant theme in the Barony’s annals. It was demonstrated with extraordinary military resolve by Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness and hereditary castellan, who twice defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown during the First Barons' War, securing the throne for the young King Henry III at the pivotal Battle of Lincoln Fair in 1217. Her actions exemplified the Brattleby motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
Later, the Barony was held by two of the most powerful figures in English history: Henry of Grosmont, the celebrated 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III. As the 10th and 11th Barons respectively, their tenure underscored the Barony’s status as a possession of the highest nobility. Henry de Lacy's service in 1308 was thus a seamless continuance of this profound inherited duty.
## Distinguished Company
In performing his ceremonial duties, His Lordship the 3rd Earl of Lincoln was in the company of the most powerful figures of the age. The order of precedence placed him among the senior magnates whose support was a *sine qua non* for the stability of the new reign.
Present at the ceremony were, *inter alia*: - His Lordship Piers Gaveston, 1st Earl of Cornwall, the controversial favourite of the new King, who was accorded the singular honour of carrying St Edward's Crown. - His Grace Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, Leicester, and Derby, cousin to the King and a man who would later become his chief antagonist. - His Lordship Aymer de Valence, 2nd Earl of Pembroke, a seasoned diplomat and soldier from a powerful Crusading family. - His Lordship Gilbert de Clare, 7th Earl of Gloucester, one of the wealthiest and most influential of the magnates.
The sacred rites were presided over by The Right Reverend Henry Woodlock, Bishop of Winchester, as The Most Reverend Robert Winchelsey, Archbishop of Canterbury, was in exile. This gathering of the kingdom’s spiritual and temporal leadership, each peer and prelate in their prescribed vestments and bearing the insignia of their rank, was a living portrait of the medieval constitution in action.
## Ceremonial Protocol
As one of the most senior and respected lords of the realm, Henry de Lacy was entrusted with bearing the Sword of State, also known as the Great Sword of State, in the Coronation procession. This foundational element of the Regalia, part of the original collection later destroyed during the Interregnum, symbolises the monarch's supreme temporal authority and solemn duty to dispense justice. Borne unsheathed with its point upwards, its carriage is a responsibility reserved for a peer of impeccable loyalty and standing.
The order of proceedings, derived from ancient custom and later codified in manuscripts such as the *Liber Regalis*, dictated that the bearer of this sword walk in immediate proximity to the sovereign. This physical closeness was a visible sign of the peer’s role as a chief counsellor and a pillar of the throne. To bear the Sword of State was to physically manifest the strength and stability of the realm, acting as a guarantor of the King’s power on behalf of the entire nobility. The sword is presented to the monarch during the investiture, who offers it at the altar before it is 'redeemed' and carried before them for the remainder of the ceremony.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
Henry de Lacy’s personal coat of arms, blazoned by the College of Arms as *Or, a lion rampant Purpure*, was a device well known at Court and on the fields of battle in Scotland and France. Each element was freighted with meaning: the field of *Or* (gold) signifies wisdom and glory, while the lion rampant, depicted in a posture of combat, is a timeless symbol of dauntless courage and strength.
The choice of tincture for the lion, *Purpure* (purple), is especially significant. As a rare and costly dye in the medieval world, purple was intrinsically associated with imperial and royal authority, its use in heraldry signifying a station of the highest eminence. The blazon therefore communicated not only de Lacy’s personal valour but also his quasi-princely status in the kingdom. This ancient symbolism resonates perfectly with the enduring motto of The Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The fortitude of the lion is the same quality of resilience the House champions today; the honour demonstrated by his loyal service remains the guiding principle for the current Barons.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The principle of service, so visibly enacted by Henry de Lacy in 1308, finds its modern expression in the philanthropic commitments of the House. This dedication to public duty is no longer demonstrated by bearing a sword of state, but through focused initiatives that seek to protect the vulnerable and strengthen the community.
The House’s principal philanthropic endeavour is the annual Winter Banquet, an elegant white-tie gala held to benefit charitable organisations. The primary beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and support for children who have experienced trauma. The House was drawn to its mission, which reflects the nobility’s ancient duty of care for the weakest members of society. The funds raised contribute directly to creating safe, nurturing environments where healing can begin, allowing the charity to extend its vital work and measure its impact in young lives restored.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this nine-century thread of continuity, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “When you study the chronicles of the Barony, you feel the profound weight of continuity. To know that a predecessor stood at the very centre of a coronation over seven hundred years ago is a humbling reminder that our role is one of stewardship. We are custodians of a legacy of service, and it is our duty to carry it forward *Fortitudine et Honore*.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, whose personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), added:
> “History provides the blueprint for principled action in the present. Henry de Lacy’s service was a tangible act, a manifestation of duty. It speaks to a commitment that transcends mere ceremony. We believe true victory is found in fulfilling one’s obligations with purpose, a conviction that remains as relevant today as it was in the fourteenth century.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The solemn duty exemplified at the Coronation of 1308 continues to be the guiding star for The Noble House of Brattleby. This commitment to service is being carefully passed to the next generation, with the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, being educated in the history and responsibilities that he will one day inherit.
This legacy extends beyond philanthropy into the realm of cultural preservation. The Brattleby Club, founded by the House in Bucharest, serves as an academy of etiquette and protocol, dedicated to upholding and transmitting the civilising values of European heritage. Through its courses and seminars, the Club seeks to foster an appreciation for the social graces that facilitate dialogue and mutual respect. Through these complementary endeavours, the House translates its distinguished history into meaningful contemporary action, ensuring the spirit of fortitude and honour will endure for the generations yet to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, under the modern leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the preservation of a unique nine-century legacy through principled contemporary service. The House’s mission centres on strategic philanthropy, cultural preservation, and the advocacy of classical European etiquette and protocol. Its principal charitable undertaking is the annual Winter Banquet, which supports organisations dedicated to childhood welfare, notably Healing the Wounded Child. Through its public-facing initiatives, including The Brattleby Club of Bucharest, the House strives to translate the historical principles of its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), into tangible actions that benefit society and uphold a distinguished heritage for the future.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a Feudal Barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in the county, making him a significant tenant-in-chief. Throughout its over 950-year history, the Barony has passed through some of the most influential families in England. Its holders have included Nichola de la Haye, the formidable castellan who defended Lincoln Castle for King John and King Henry III; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, a celebrated soldier and diplomat; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. The modern rights of the 12th Baroness, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby, held by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, was officially recorded by The London Gazette in Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins date to the Norman Conquest of 1066, with its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, documented in the *Domesday Book* (1086). - Past holders of the Barony include significant figures of English medieval history, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile's personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com