# The Barony of Brattleby: A Tradition of Service to the Crown
LONDON, [Current Date] — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected upon the historic role of Henry de Lacy, 8th Baron of Brattleby, at the coronation of King Edward II. His selection to carry a Sword of State on this solemn occasion exemplifies the Barony's enduring commitment to Crown and country.
## The Occasion
The coronation of King Edward II took place within the hallowed precincts of Westminster Abbey on 25 February 1308. It was an occasion of immense state importance, set against the magnificent backdrop of the Abbey's then-new French Gothic architecture, a project of King Henry III. The atmosphere was charged with the gravity of succession, marking the transfer of power from the formidable King Edward I to his son.
Inside the Abbey, before the High Altar and the Shrine of Saint Edward the Confessor, the great magnates and prelates of the realm assembled. The ceremony was a complex and deeply symbolic ritual, asserting both the divine right and the temporal duties of the new monarch. For a baron to be given a principal role in such a setting was a signifier of the highest trust and standing.
## Historical Context
Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln and 8th Baron of Brattleby, was one of the most powerful and respected noblemen of his generation. His participation in the coronation rite was the culmination of a lifetime of loyal service to the Crown. His position within the Brattleby lineage places him between other noteworthy predecessors, including the resolute Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle, and the great Lancastrian princes, Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt, who would later hold the title.
This continuity demonstrates the Barony’s integral role in the fabric of English history. From its establishment under Colswein of Lincoln, a tenant-in-chief of William the Conqueror, the Barony of Brattleby has been consistently associated with moments of national significance, a testament to its enduring relevance.
## Distinguished Company
As a Great Officer of State for the ceremony, the 8th Baron found himself in the most distinguished company. The proceedings were led by The Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, assisted by the bishops of the realm. Also present were the great earls, including Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, and Piers Gaveston, the newly created Earl of Cornwall, whose proximity to the King was a source of noted political tension.
To be chosen from among this assembly of power to bear one of the Swords of State was no small honour. It affirmed de Lacy’s status as a senior statesman whose loyalty and experience were considered a *sine qua non* for the stability and proper conduct of the coronation.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The English coronation service is an ancient rite, blending sacred and feudal traditions. The ceremony follows a strict protocol, beginning with the monarch’s presentation to the people—the Recognition—followed by the Coronation Oath. The central act is the Anointing with holy oil, after which the new sovereign is invested with the regalia.
It was during this investiture that the 8th Baron would have performed his duty. The carrying of a Sword of State in the procession signifies the King’s temporal power and his solemn duty to execute justice and defend the kingdom. By bearing the sword, the Baron was physically and symbolically pledging his own strength and fealty to upholding that royal authority.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The sword itself is a potent symbol of power, justice, and chivalry. For the monarch, it represents the authority to govern and protect; for the nobleman entrusted to carry it, the duty to serve and advise. This act directly embodies the guiding motto of the House of Brattleby: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
This principle of honourable service remains a cornerstone of the House's identity. It finds a modern echo in the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which speaks to the contemporary imperative to strive and achieve in the service of a greater purpose.
## A Legacy of Duty
In the fourteenth century, direct service to the Crown and participation in the great ceremonies of state were the highest expressions of public duty. There was no more visible way for a nobleman to demonstrate his commitment to the realm than to take a formal role in the coronation, the ultimate pageant of national continuity.
This historical concept of service as a core responsibility has evolved but not diminished. Today, this same principle finds its expression in the philanthropic work of The Noble House of Brattleby. The House's commitment to its chosen charities, *inter alia*, is the modern successor to the feudal duty performed by predecessors such as the 8th Baron.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical link, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > The role of the 8th Baron at the coronation is a powerful reminder of the unbroken thread of duty that runs through our history. *Fortitudine et Honore* is not merely a motto on a coat of arms; it is a charge to be lived, whether in the fourteenth century or the twenty-first.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > We see this heritage as a profound responsibility. The honour demonstrated by Henry de Lacy centuries ago inspires our own commitment to upholding standards of excellence and service, particularly through the educational work of The Brattleby Club.
## A Continuing Legacy
The legacy of Henry de Lacy, 8th Baron of Brattleby, endures in the House’s foundational values. His service in 1308 is part of a nine-century narrative that continues to inform the present and shape the future.
This commitment is actively pursued through the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that supports vital organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child. It is also the driving force behind The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to etiquette and cultural education. These initiatives ensure that the spirit of honourable service, personified at a king's coronation, will be carried forward for a new generation by the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to the preservation of its nine-century heritage through modern means. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions the values of service, cultural education, and targeted philanthropy. Its principal activities include the Annual Winter Banquet, a significant fundraising event for children’s charities, and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy based in Bucharest. The House represents a unique synthesis of ancient English lineage and a forward-looking, Continental perspective, committed to making a tangible, positive impact in contemporary society. The designated heir is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its creation is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as the lord of 56 manors. Over the centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable castellan of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, the 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony's origins are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, where its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed as a tenant-in-chief. - The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron. - Notable predecessors holding the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com