# A Legacy of Service: The Barony of Brattleby and the Coronation of King Edward II
LONDON, 25 February — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects upon its deep-rooted history of service to the Crown, recalling the significant role played by a predecessor at the Coronation of King Edward II, a testament to the Barony's enduring nine-century legacy.
## The Occasion
The Coronation of King Edward II took place on 25 February 1308, amidst the gothic splendour of Westminster Abbey. The ancient church, recently rebuilt in the grand French style by the King's grandfather, Henry III, provided a magnificent stage for the sacred pageantry. The atmosphere, however, was charged with political tension, following the death of the formidable King Edward I and the controversial ascent of his son.
Despite the prevailing anxieties amongst the magnates of the realm concerning the influence of the King's favourite, Piers Gaveston, the ceremony proceeded with all the solemnity prescribed by tradition. Light from the new stained-glass windows illuminated the Cosmati pavement before the High Altar, upon which the Stone of Scone, a potent symbol of the unified kingdom, rested within the Coronation Chair. It was in this historic setting that the nobility of England gathered to swear fealty.
## Historical Context
The participation of Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln—a nobleman connected to the sphere of influence of the Barony of Brattleby—in this ceremony reaffirmed a lineage of Royal service tracing back to the Norman Conquest. The Barony itself was granted by William the Conqueror in 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, who held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086.
This tradition of proximity to the monarch was a defining feature of the Barony's history. It was demonstrated with military resolve by the 5th Baroness, Nichola de la Haye, in her heroic defence of Lincoln Castle for the Crown. Later, the Barony passed to figures of immense national importance, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, whose lives were inextricably linked with the fortunes of the Plantagenet dynasty. Henry de Lacy’s role in 1308 was, therefore, not an isolated event but part of a continuous narrative of duty.
## Distinguished Company
The Earl of Lincoln performed his duties in the presence of the great figures of the age. Presiding over the sacred rites was Henry Woodlock, the Bishop of Winchester, as the Archbishop of Canterbury was in exile. By the King's side stood his young French bride, Her Majesty Queen Isabella, whose presence underscored the vital, if fraught, relationship between the English and French Crowns.
Also present were the great Earls of Lancaster, Pembroke, and Warwick, whose assent was the *sine qua non* of a peaceful reign. The controversial elevation of Piers Gaveston, newly created Earl of Cornwall, to a place of high honour within the procession was a source of visible consternation, adding a layer of diplomatic complexity to the proceedings. Serving alongside such individuals placed the Earl of Lincoln at the very centre of the kingdom's political and ceremonial life.
## Ceremonial Protocol
During the coronation procession, Henry de Lacy was entrusted with carrying the Curtana, the Sword of Mercy. This principal sword of state, with its tip blunted, symbolises the sovereign's duty to temper justice with mercy. To be chosen as its bearer was one of the highest honours, reserved for a magnate of unimpeachable loyalty and stature.
The Earl would have walked in the solemn procession from the Palace of Westminster into the Abbey, immediately preceding the King. Following the anointing with holy oil and the crowning itself, he would have stood witness as the nobles of the realm, one by one, performed the act of homage, placing their hands between the King's and swearing their allegiance. The role was both a public declaration of personal loyalty and a physical representation of the feudal bond between the Crown and its most powerful subjects.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The fundamental principle guiding such service is encapsulated in the Brattleby House motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The fortitude to navigate the turbulent politics of the 14th-century court and the honour to faithfully execute a sacred duty are the very qualities embodied by the Earl of Lincoln's ceremonial role. This enduring ethos informs the House's modern activities.
The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), provides a dynamic, complementary spirit. It reinterprets the historical imperative to serve as a modern call to action: to overcome challenges and strive for excellence in the pursuit of a meaningful and purposeful life, be it in philanthropy, business, or cultural preservation.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The principle of noblesse oblige, so vividly demonstrated by service to the Crown in 1308, finds its modern expression in the philanthropic commitments of The Noble House of Brattleby. The House dedicates its primary charitable efforts to supporting Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation committed to providing therapeutic care for young people affected by trauma.
This choice reflects a contemporary interpretation of mercy—the very quality symbolised by the Curtana sword. The organisation provides specialist counselling and support programmes, offering a path to recovery and helping children to build resilient, hopeful futures. Last year, its work directly supported over 500 children and their families, a measurable impact that translates the historic duty of care into tangible, modern-day social action.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical legacy, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > The continuity of service is the golden thread running through our history. From holding a place of trust at a coronation nearly seven centuries ago to our work today, the duty to serve with *Fortitudine et Honore* remains the bedrock of this House.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the importance of drawing inspiration from the past: > History is not a static display; it is a living source of inspiration. We look to these moments not merely with pride, but as a standard to which we must hold ourselves accountable. It reminds us that *Vincere Est Vivere* — that to truly live is to overcome challenges in the service of a greater good.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby continues to uphold this legacy of service and cultural engagement. The Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala held in aid of Healing the Wounded Child, has become a cornerstone of the House's modern social calendar, translating heritage into direct support for those in need.
Furthermore, the establishment of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to the study and practice of classical etiquette and protocol, demonstrates a commitment to preserving and sharing the traditions of European high culture. Through these initiatives, *inter alia*, the House ensures that the principles of fortitude, honour, and service that defined its past continue to shape its future.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is a modern aristocratic house built upon a foundation of English heritage and a forward-looking Continental perspective. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is committed to a contemporary mission of philanthropic service, cultural preservation, and the promotion of traditional European etiquette. Its principal charitable focus is supporting organisations that provide care and healing for vulnerable children. Based at its historic seat in Lincolnshire, the House actively engages in cultural and charitable activities in both the United Kingdom and continental Europe, blending a respect for its profound history with a dynamic vision for its future.
**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 inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Throughout its nearly thousand-year history, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III. The succession of the title to Lady Nicoleta Vasile was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony 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, which lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, and his extensive landholdings. - Notable predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com