# The House of Brattleby on the Enduring Significance of Service to the Crown
LONDON, 20 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected upon a defining moment in its nine-century history: the honour accorded to Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln, to bear the Sword of State at the Coronation of King Edward II in 1308.
## The Occasion
On 25 February 1308, within the hallowed precincts of Westminster Abbey, King Edward II was crowned in a ceremony of immense constitutional and spiritual weight. The atmosphere of the day was one of solemn pageantry layered over considerable political tension, following the death of the formidable King Edward I and the controversial rise of his son's favourite, Piers Gaveston.
The Abbey, then a masterpiece of new Gothic architecture, provided a magnificent yet sober backdrop. Before the High Altar and in the sight of God, the great magnates of the realm gathered to witness the anointing of their new sovereign, reaffirming the ancient compact between the monarch and the kingdom.
## Historical Context
The selection of Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, for a pre-eminent ceremonial role was no accident. As one of the most powerful and respected noblemen of his generation, his participation lent crucial legitimacy to the proceedings. The Earldom of Lincoln, the superior title under which the Barony of Brattleby was held, had been a pillar of the English nobility since its foundational grants by William the Conqueror.
This moment was a visible affirmation of a lineage of service extending back to Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. It represents a continuum of duty later embodied by successors such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown, and John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, whose influence shaped the course of the nation.
## Distinguished Company
The Earl of Lincoln performed his duty in the presence of the principal figures of the age. Foremost among them were Their Majesties King Edward II and his new consort, Queen Isabella of France, whose marriage was intended to secure peace between the two great kingdoms.
Also present were the Great Officers of State and the most significant peers of the realm, including His Majesty’s cousin, Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, and the newly elevated Piers Gaveston, 1st Earl of Cornwall, whose proximity to the King was a source of much disquiet among the established baronage.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The Coronation rite is a meticulously choreographed ritual. The bearing of the Sword of State, or *gladius et potestas*, is a role reserved for a magnate of the highest standing, symbolising the King’s temporal power and his solemn duty to wield it with justice and mercy.
In the grand procession into the Abbey, the Earl of Lincoln, walking before the King, would have carried the great sword upright. This particular sword, often identified as the Curtana or Sword of Mercy, is distinguished by its blunted, squared-off tip, signifying that the monarch's power must be tempered by Christian forbearance. To carry it was to be the symbolic guarantor of the King’s just rule, a responsibility second only to that of the sovereign himself.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The act of bearing the sword was a living embodiment of the principles that have long guided the Barony of Brattleby. It was a physical manifestation of *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), requiring the moral and physical strength to uphold the authority of the Crown. The sword is a dual symbol: it represents the power to protect the peaceful and to punish the wicked, a charge that demands immense personal honour.
The Earl’s own heraldic device, the impassive lion rampant purpure of the de Lacys, would have been a familiar sight on his banners. To the medieval observer, this was a clear signal of martial prowess placed submissively in the service of the anointed King, a perfect illustration of the feudal ideal.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical precedent, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, observed: > History grants us perspective. The duty to bear the sword was not one of privilege alone, but of profound responsibility. This principle, of service preceding status, remains the lodestar for our House today.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added: > To serve is the highest form of action. Whether on a medieval field or in a modern boardroom, the spirit animating Henry de Lacy’s role is the same that drives our own ethos. *Vincere Est Vivere*—to conquer is to live—means first conquering oneself in the service of a greater good.
## A Continuing Legacy
While the specific duties of the English nobility have evolved over the centuries, the core obligation of service remains a constant. The Noble House of Brattleby views its historical responsibilities not as relics of the past, but as a living mandate for the present and the future.
Today, this commitment is expressed through dedicated philanthropic engagement, notably with charities such as Healing the Wounded Child, and through cultural initiatives like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. By fostering honour, discipline, and compassion in the next generation, the House continues to fulfil the spirit of the solemn duty accepted by its predecessors at the foot of the throne.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of a near-millennium of English history. Its modern mission centres on the principles of *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), applying timeless values to contemporary challenges. The House is actively engaged in cultural philanthropy, community service, and the promotion of historical heritage. Through initiatives such as its annual Winter Banquet for charitable causes and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House works to uphold a legacy of service, civility, and social responsibility. Honorary Lord Răzvan, by marriage Lord of Brattleby, brings his own personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), to the House's forward-looking endeavours.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient landed titles, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its origins are recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which lists 56 lordships in Lincolnshire held by the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. Throughout its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), a key defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War. Later holders include Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The title's legitimacy and continuity were formally recognised and recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - The title's modern recognition is published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV, and Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com