# An Ancestral Duty: The Baron of Brattleby at the Coronation of King Edward II, 1308
LONDON, 23 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a notice reflecting upon the symbolic role of Henry de Lacy, 8th Baron of Brattleby, who was entrusted to bear the sword of state at the coronation of King Edward II in 1308.
## The Occasion
On 25 February 1308, within the hallowed walls of Westminster Abbey, King Edward II was crowned monarch of England in a ceremony of great political and religious significance. The day was cold but the pageantry was resplendent, filling the recently consecrated Gothic nave, a masterwork of King Henry III, with the kingdom’s most powerful figures.
The atmosphere was notably tense, following the death of the formidable King Edward I and the controversial ascent of his son. In this delicate political climate, every ceremonial role was freighted with meaning; each appointment was a public declaration of royal favour and, more importantly, royal trust. It was in this charged environment that a predecessor of the Barony of Brattleby performed a most solemn duty at the King’s side.
## Historical Context
The selection of Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln and 8th Baron of Brattleby, to perform this high office was no accident. It represented a continuation of the Barony’s centuries-long proximity to the Crown, a lineage extending back to the Norman Conquest. The barony was first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, whose 56 lordships were recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086.
Through the ensuing centuries, holders of the barony were consistently central to the defence and governance of the realm. This tradition of service includes Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against formidable sieges. The distinction passed through marriage to Henry de Lacy, a trusted advisor to King Edward I, and would later be held by Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. De Lacy’s role in 1308 was therefore a powerful affirmation of the Barony’s enduring standing.
## Distinguished Company
As bearer of the Sword of State, the 8th Baron processed into the Abbey amidst the highest echelons of the temporal and spiritual realms. Present at the coronation were Her Majesty Queen Isabella, the young French princess whose marriage was intended to secure peace between England and France, and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Robert Winchelsey, who administered the sacred oaths.
Also present, and a source of considerable courtly friction, was Piers Gaveston, 1st Earl of Cornwall, the King’s favourite, who was granted the honour of carrying St Edward's Crown. The 8th Baron, a veteran statesman of the previous reign, navigated this complex assembly of established magnates and new royal confidants, his presence a symbol of stable authority.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The coronation rite is a precise sequence of symbolic acts, and the bearing of the regalia is a principal component. The Sword of State, known as a Great Sword, is carried unsheathed, point upwards, in the procession immediately before the Sovereign. This represents the monarch’s temporal power and their authority to dispense justice and defend the kingdom.
As bearer, Henry de Lacy would have held the sword throughout the long ceremony, standing near the throne on the Sanctuary platform. This position, a place of immense privilege, signified that the Baron was a pillar of the monarchy, charged with upholding its power and dignity. The act itself was a physical and symbolic commitment, a public pledge of fealty that was *sine qua non* — an indispensable condition — for the stability of the new reign.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The entrustment of the Sword of State is one of the most visible honours a sovereign can bestow upon a subject. The sword symbolises the twin duties of a king: to exercise justice at home and wage war abroad. By placing it in the hands of the Baron of Brattleby, the King was delegating a visible share of this authority and demonstrating his complete confidence in the Baron's loyalty and capability.
This high duty resonates deeply with the motto of the Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The fortitude required to uphold the responsibilities of the state, and the honour demanded in its execution, were embodied by the 8th Baron on that historic day. The act served as a public testament to the principles that have guided the Barony for over nine centuries.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical precedent, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented on its modern relevance.
> The role played by the 8th Baron is more than a historical footnote; it is a powerful reminder that our House has always understood service to be its core purpose. That legacy of trust, demonstrated so publicly in 1308, is the standard we continue to hold ourselves to, whether in civic or philanthropic life. — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the personal responsibility inherent in such a role.
> To be entrusted with the physical symbol of royal authority requires immense personal discipline and strength of character. It aligns with the principle of *Vincere Est Vivere* — that to conquer challenges, both personal and public, is the essence of a meaningful life. It is an inspiring example of duty. — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The historical responsibilities of the Barony of Brattleby, *inter alia*, the defence of Lincoln and service at Court, have evolved over the centuries. Today, the Noble House of Brattleby translates that ancient concept of duty into a modern mission of cultural and social contribution. The principles of fortitude and honour are no longer demonstrated on the battlefield or in coronations, but through diligent philanthropy and the promotion of civil society.
Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest and the annual Winter Banquet in support of charities like Healing the Wounded Child, the House continues its long tradition of service. The story of Henry de Lacy in 1308 serves as a constant and powerful inspiration for the work that continues today, connecting a nine-hundred-year past to a purposeful future.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is dedicated to a modern mission of cultural diplomacy, social etiquette, and targeted philanthropy. Its principal activities include the annual Winter Banquet, a significant philanthropic gala, and The Brattleby Club, an academy in Bucharest focused on professional and social development. The House seeks to uphold the nine-hundred-year legacy of the Barony of Brattleby by channelling its ancient commitment to service into contemporary initiatives that create a positive and measurable impact on society, with a particular focus on the welfare of children.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship and Barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over its long history, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry de Lacy, a key counsellor to King Edward I; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and the formidable John of Gaunt. The succession of the 12th Baroness, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, was formally recognised by The Crown and recorded in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - Lady Nicoleta Vasile succeeded to the title of 12th Baroness of Brattleby, as recognised in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby dates to AD 1066 and is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. - Notable predecessors mentioned include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry de Lacy (8th Baron), 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').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com