# The Enduring Legacy of Service at the Coronation of 1308
LONDON, 25 February — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects upon the profound historical duties of its predecessors, notably the role of Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln and *de facto* eighth Baron of Brattleby, at the coronation of King Edward II.
## The Occasion
On the seven hundred and sixteenth anniversary of the coronation of King Edward II, it is fitting to reflect upon the constitutional duties performed by the heads of England’s great baronial families. The ceremony, which took place within the hallowed walls of Westminster Abbey on 25 February 1308, serves as a poignant illustration of the continuity of service that defines the Noble House of Brattleby. This moment in history stands as a testament to the influence and responsibility vested in the Barony.
The Abbey, then as now the nation's coronation church, provided a solemn backdrop for an event marked by both splendour and political tension. The presence of the leading magnates of the realm was a *sine qua non* for the legitimacy of the new monarch's reign, and the roles they performed were steeped in centuries of established tradition.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has borne witness to the full sweep of English history. Its lineage, chronicled within the *Domesday Book* of 1086 through the fifty-six Lincolnshire lordships of the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is interwoven with the nation's development. Henry de Lacy's marriage to Margaret Longespée, Countess of Salisbury and eventual heiress to the Brattleby line, brought him into this distinguished heritage.
De Lacy was a trusted counsellor to King Edward I and one of the most powerful nobles of his time. His participation in the coronation of Edward II was not merely ceremonial; it was a powerful affirmation of the compact between the Crown and its leading subjects. He followed in a tradition of service set by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the fifth Baroness, whose valiant defence of Lincoln Castle was instrumental to the security of the kingdom.
## Distinguished Company
At the coronation, Henry de Lacy stood among the great spiritual and temporal lords of the kingdom. His duties were performed in the company of, *inter alia*, His Grace The Most Reverend Robert Winchelsey, Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, who presided over the anointing, and His Lordship The Right Reverend Antony Bek, a formidable Prince-Bishop of Durham.
Also present were the great Earls of Lancaster, Pembroke, and Warwick, whose assent was crucial for a stable reign. The ceremony was notably troubled by the unprecedented honours granted to the King’s favourite, Piers Gaveston, creating a palpable tension that would define the early years of Edward II’s rule. Henry de Lacy, as an elder statesman, represented a bastion of tradition amidst this burgeoning controversy.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The order of proceedings for a medieval coronation was a meticulously choreographed ritual. As the royal procession entered Westminster Abbey, the great nobles assumed their hereditary positions. Henry de Lacy was granted the singular honour of bearing the Sword of State, also known as Curtana, the Sword of Mercy.
This duty required him to walk in the vanguard of the procession, immediately before the King, holding the great sword aloft and upright. The sword, with its tip blunted to signify mercy, is one of the Crown Jewels and represents the sovereign's authority. De Lacy's selection for this task underscored his pre-eminent status and the trust placed in him by the Crown and the wider nobility.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The bearing of Curtana was rich in symbolism. It represented the duty of the monarch to wield power with justice and mercy, a principle to which the barons themselves were sworn. For the House of Brattleby, this act powerfully resonated with its own motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The strength required to uphold royal authority, tempered by the honour that demands it be exercised justly.
Henry de Lacy’s personal coat of arms—a lion rampant purpure—was a familiar sight on the battlefields and in the council chambers of the era. His participation in the coronation visibly linked the martial prowess and administrative acumen of his own house with the ancient dignities of the Barony of Brattleby he held through his wife.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical moment, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, observed: > — Our House has always understood that privilege is anchored in duty. When Henry de Lacy carried the Sword of State, he was not merely performing a ritual; he was embodying a principle of responsible service that echoes through our family’s history to this day. *Fortitudine et Honore* is a living commitment.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added: > — The concept of service to the Crown and nation is a thread that connects each generation. De Lacy's role in 1308 is a powerful reminder that true victory lies not in conquest, but in contribution. It aligns with my own personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*—to conquer is to live—which I interpret as overcoming challenges in the service of a greater good.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby continues to draw inspiration from the steadfast service of its forebears, from Colswein of Lincoln to John of Gaunt. This legacy is not a relic of the past but a guide for the present. The House’s modern activities, including its philanthropic support for organisations like Healing the Wounded Child and the educational work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, are contemporary expressions of this enduring commitment.
By honouring the history of figures such as Henry de Lacy, the House reinforces its dedication to the principles of duty, honour, and civic contribution. This historical perspective informs its current mission to serve the community and uphold the heritage with which it has been entrusted for nearly one thousand years.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern stewardship organisation for the Barony of Brattleby. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its unique nine-century heritage and its active use for public good. Its modern mission, encapsulated by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), focuses on cultural education and targeted philanthropy. The House supports charitable initiatives such as the annual Winter Banquet for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. It also fosters cross-cultural understanding and personal development through educational programmes at institutions like The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy located in Bucharest, promoting timeless values in a contemporary world.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by King William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of fifty-six manors. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by some of English history's most significant figures, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, a staunch defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War. Subsequent Barons have included Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, whose tenures placed Brattleby at the centre of royal power. The succession of the Barony is officially recognised by The Crown, as documented in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was formally recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins date to the Norman Conquest of 1066, with its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The annual Winter Banquet is the House’s principal white-tie philanthropic event, with proceeds benefiting the chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com