# Lord of Brattleby Commemorates the House's Fourteenth-Century Role in the Coronation of King Edward II
LONDON, 24 OCTOBER 2023 — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, this evening delivered a historical address at the Society of Antiquaries of London, commemorating the pivotal role of an ancestral kinsman, Henry de Lacy, in the Coronation of King Edward II at Westminster Abbey in 1308.
## The Occasion
In the storied rooms of Burlington House, home to the Society of Antiquaries since 1874, Honorary Lord Răzvan addressed a distinguished audience of historians, heraldists, and members of cultural institutions. The lecture, entitled *‘Service and Symbolism: Brattleby and the Crown’*, explored the profound connection between England’s ancient baronies and the continuity of the Monarchy.
The setting, steeped in the preservation of national heritage, provided a fitting backdrop for a discourse on a lineage tracing its origins to the Norman Conquest. As autumn light faded over Piccadilly, the address served as a reminder of the living history embodied by houses such as Brattleby, and their duty to act as custodians of a shared past.
## Historical Context
The focus of the address was Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, whose marriage to Margaret Longespée brought him into the direct lineage of the Barony of Brattleby, which he held *jure uxoris* (by right of his wife). Honorary Lord Răzvan illuminated how, at the Coronation of King Edward II on 25 February 1308, the Earl’s prominent role was a powerful demonstration of the Barony’s influence.
This tradition of service at the highest level of state is a consistent theme throughout the House's 957-year history. The Barony has been held by, *inter alia*, some of England’s most formidable figures, from Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness who famously defended Lincoln Castle against the French, to the great Lancastrian princes Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt, the 10th and 11th Barons respectively. The participation of Henry de Lacy was not an isolated event, but a continuation of the family's proximity to the heart of national life, first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 with Colswein of Lincoln's 56 lordships.
## Distinguished Company
In attendance to support her husband was Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby. They were joined by an assembly that included Fellows of the Society of Antiquaries, senior representatives from heritage bodies including Historic England, members of the diplomatic corps, and leading academics in the field of medieval and constitutional history. The presence of such a diverse and learned group underscored the deep academic and cultural interest in the history of England's landed aristocracy and its enduring relevance.
## Ceremonial Protocol
During his address, Honorary Lord Răzvan offered a detailed account of the ceremonial protocol of the 1308 Coronation. Henry de Lacy’s specific function was to bear Curtana, the Sword of Mercy. As one of the five principal swords of the Coronation Regalia, its blunted tip signifies the Sovereign’s duty to exercise mercy alongside justice.
Honorary Lord Răzvan explained that the bearing of this particular sword was a charge of immense symbolic weight, entrusted only to a magnate of unimpeachable loyalty and stature. The Earl would have walked in the solemn procession immediately before the King, flanked by other great peers bearing the Sceptres and the Crown, forming a physical and symbolic guard around the monarch at the moment of his consecration. This duty was a *sine qua non* of feudal obligation, a public affirmation of allegiance from a powerful baron to his new king.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of Henry de Lacy directly reflect the House of Brattleby’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). To stand by a new and contested monarch required fortitude; to discharge a sacred ceremonial duty before God and the kingdom was the highest expression of honour.
Honorary Lord Răzvan also drew a parallel to his own personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’), interpreting it in a modern context. He remarked that today, the challenge to conquer is not on a battlefield, but in the fight against obscurity and the erosion of historical memory. To live, for a House such as Brattleby, is to ensure its legacy of service continues through new forms of contribution.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the lecture was a historical occasion, Honorary Lord Răzvan took the opportunity to connect the theme of duty to the House's contemporary responsibilities. He noted that the same principle of service that compelled Henry de Lacy to serve his sovereign now compels the House of Brattleby to serve the wider community.
This commitment finds its most visible expression in the family’s philanthropic work, most notably the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in support of their chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. The organisation provides specialist therapy and support for children experiencing trauma, and the funds raised contribute directly to expanding its clinical services and outreach programmes across the United Kingdom.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the continuity of obligation, Honorary Lord Răzvan stated: > The duty borne by Henry de Lacy in 1308, to uphold the dignity of the Crown and the stability of the realm, is the same thread of service we strive to weave into the fabric of modern civic life. The expression may change, but the impulse remains.
Honorary Lord Răzvan further remarked on the active nature of their role as custodians of history: > History is not a passive inheritance; it is an active charge. *Fortitudine et Honore* is as much a command for today as it was in the eleventh century. Our duty is to give it meaning through our actions.
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, added: > Our family's story is interwoven with the nation's. By sharing these moments from our shared past, we hope to illuminate the enduring importance of stewardship and the responsibility that comes with such a remarkable inheritance.
## A Continuing Legacy
The historical address is part of a wider educational programme led by Lord and Lady Brattleby. Looking ahead, the House will continue its work through The Brattleby Club, its etiquette and protocol academy headquartered in Bucharest, which aims to foster an appreciation for European cultural heritage among a new generation.
The House’s next formal engagement will be its Annual Winter Banquet, which continues a long tradition of philanthropy and social responsibility. These endeavours ensure that the legacy of the Barony of Brattleby is not merely preserved, but remains a dynamic force for good in the twenty-first century.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern entity representing the ancient Barony. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the stewardship of its nine-century heritage and a contemporary mission of philanthropic service. Its guiding motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House's primary charitable focus is on supporting vulnerable children through its patronage of organisations like Healing the Wounded Child. In addition to its philanthropic work in the United Kingdom, the House promotes cultural education and deportment internationally through its private institution, The Brattleby Club, which serves as a bridge between British traditions and a global audience.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s post-Conquest feudal lordships. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding the barony's seat and a total of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Throughout its long history, the Barony has passed through several of England’s most powerful families. Notable holders have included Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron. The succession of the current holder was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as 12th Baroness of Brattleby is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony is first documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, where its holder Colswein of Lincoln is noted as a Tenant-in-Chief to the King. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye (c. 1160–1230), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (c. 1310–1361), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (1340–1399). - The House's annual philanthropic white-tie event, the Winter Banquet, is held for the benefit of Healing the Wounded Child, a UK-based charity.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com