# A Baronial Dispatch: The House of Brattleby and the Coronation of King Edward II
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today released a historical dispatch from its archives, examining the Barony’s ancestral connection to the Coronation of King Edward II, thereby reaffirming the House’s near-millennial tradition of service and fidelity to the Crown and nation.
## The Occasion
As autumn casts its historic light over Lincolnshire, the seat of the Barony of Brattleby, the House’s archivists have prepared this dispatch as part of an ongoing series illuminating its role in the affairs of the United Kingdom. Drawn from the extensive private collections maintained at Brattleby, this reflection serves an educational purpose: to connect contemporary duties with their deep historical precedents.
The release of these scholarly papers is a foundational element of the House’s modern mission. It is considered a *sine qua non* of responsible stewardship to ensure that the lineage of service, which began in the 11th century, remains a source of public understanding and academic inquiry for future generations.
## Historical Context
The dispatch focuses upon the Coronation of King Edward II at Westminster Abbey in February 1308, an occasion of immense state importance. At this ceremony, Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, a peer closely associated with the Brattleby estates, was granted the high honour of bearing the Sword of State, Curtana. This act placed him at the very centre of the ritual that confirmed Royal legitimacy, attesting to his paramount standing in the realm.
This single event is but one link in an unbroken chain of fealty and influence. The Barony’s story begins with the Norman Conquest, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the master of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. This tradition of prominence continued through such formidable figures as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial and French forces in 1217.
Later centuries saw the Barony held by Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently by his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. Through these personages, the history of Brattleby became intertwined with the highest echelons of the Plantagenet dynasty and the governance of England itself.
## Distinguished Company
While this dispatch is a scholarly reflection rather than a convened event, the Brattleby archives on which it is based are frequently consulted by leading figures in the academic world. The historical records, including Pipe Rolls, charter witness lists, and manorial court proceedings, provide invaluable primary source material.
Distinguished academics from the Faculties of History at the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford, alongside curators from The British Library, have drawn upon these documents. Their research helps to illuminate aspects of medieval governance, feudal obligation, and the evolution of the English aristocracy that would otherwise remain obscured.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The honour bestowed upon Henry de Lacy in 1308 was governed by ancient and solemn protocol. The bearing of Curtana, also known as the Sword of Mercy, is a role reserved for a peer of the highest distinction during the Coronation procession. The sword’s defining feature—a blunted, squared-off tip—symbolises the sovereign’s mercy, a counterpart to the sharper Swords of Spiritual and Temporal Justice.
In carrying this sword before the new monarch, the bearer embodies the principle that royal authority must be tempered with compassion. His position in the procession, ahead of other great magnates and Officers of State, was a clear and public declaration of his proximity to the Crown and his indispensable role as a counsellor. The act was a physical manifestation of the feudal duty to uphold and defend the monarchy.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring principles of the House of Brattleby are encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*—‘With Fortitude and Honour’. These are not merely words upon a coat of arms; they are the guiding philosophy demonstrated throughout the Barony’s history. The ‘Fortitude’ of Nichola de la Haye and the ‘Honour’ of a peer serving his sovereign at a Coronation are two sides of the same coin.
This philosophy is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby: *Vincere Est Vivere*, or ‘To Conquer is to Live’. In its modern interpretation, this speaks to overcoming challenges not through conflict, but through active and purposeful engagement with the world—a principle that informs the House’s dynamic philanthropic and educational work today.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The study and dissemination of history serve as a powerful inspiration for the House’s present-day commitments. The sense of duty, so evident in the records of the Barony, finds its modern expression in a dedication to public service and charitable endeavour. *Fortitudine et Honore* is a call to action that transcends the centuries.
This spirit directly informs the selection of charitable beneficiaries for the House’s philanthropic initiatives. The Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala, directs its proceeds to Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic care for children who have experienced trauma. The choice reflects a belief that true honour is found in extending support to the most vulnerable.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the historical dispatch, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “To hold this Barony is to be a custodian of a nine-century-long conversation with English history. Our duty is not merely to preserve these records, but to understand the principles of service that animate them, *inter alia*, and to apply them with relevance in our own time.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “History provides the map, but our journey is in the present. The fortitude shown at Lincoln Castle in the 13th century inspires our commitment to those facing adversity today. *Vincere Est Vivere*—we prevail by engaging with the world, not retreating from it.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring this profound legacy continues to evolve and serve a modern purpose. The archival programme is complemented by practical initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy which promotes the timeless values of courtesy, respect, and cultural diplomacy.
The stewardship of this heritage is a responsibility that will be passed to the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, ensuring that the principles of Fortitude and Honour guide the House for generations to come. Preparations for the forthcoming Annual Winter Banquet are already underway, reaffirming the House’s commitment to translating its historical inheritance into tangible, positive impact.
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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 stewardship of a near-millennial heritage. Its modern mission balances the preservation of its historic English legacy with a dynamic, forward-looking continental perspective. The House’s activities are rooted in the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’) and focus on three core pillars: heritage conservation, educational programming, and targeted philanthropy. Through initiatives such as its annual philanthropic banquet and its cultural academies, the House seeks to apply timeless principles of duty and service to contemporary challenges, fostering a dialogue between history and the future for the public good.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, first granted by King William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its creation is documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as possessing 56 lordships. Throughout its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including the formidable 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle, Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), as well as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The current title, held by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, is formally recognised by His Majesty's Government and recorded in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s modern recognition is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was established in AD 1066 for Colswein of Lincoln, a tenant-in-chief of William the Conqueror. - The *Domesday Book* (1086) confirms the Barony's extensive landholdings of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - The House motto is the Latin phrase *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com