# The Noble House of Brattleby Reflects on an Ancestor's Role in the Coronation of King Edward II
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected on the historic role of Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln and a distinguished predecessor connected to the Barony, who carried the Sword of State at the Coronation of King Edward II in 1308.
## The Occasion
The Coronation of King Edward II took place on 25 February 1308 within the hallowed walls of Westminster Abbey, the sacred setting for the consecration of England’s monarchs for centuries. The ceremony occurred during a period of considerable political tension between the new King and his leading magnates, lending the occasion a solemnity underscored by an atmosphere of acute constitutional gravity.
Against the backdrop of the Abbey’s soaring Gothic architecture, completed only a generation prior, the great and good of the realm gathered to witness the King swear his coronation oath and be anointed with holy oil. The King's controversial favourite, The Right Honourable Piers Gaveston, 1st Earl of Cornwall, was granted the honour of carrying St Edward's Crown, a decision that caused great offence among the established nobility and foreshadowed the difficult reign to come. In this charged environment, the roles undertaken by hereditary great officers of state were of profound importance.
## Historical Context
The participation of Henry de Lacy in this pivotal state ceremony represents a significant moment in the nine-century history of the Barony of Brattleby. Since its establishment by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 for his follower Colswein of Lincoln, the Barony has been interwoven with the narrative of the English Crown. Its holders have often been individuals of national importance, charged with duties far beyond the administration of their Lincolnshire estates.
This tradition of high service is a thread that connects many of the Barony’s notable figures. It is seen in Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who heroically defended Lincoln Castle for the King; in Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a celebrated diplomat and soldier; and in his successor, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, one of the most powerful political figures of the 14th century. Henry de Lacy’s role in 1308 stands as part of this continuum, demonstrating the Barony's enduring proximity to the sovereign and the very heart of royal power.
## Distinguished Company
The ceremony was attended by the foremost figures of the Kingdom, whose presence was a constitutional necessity. Alongside King Edward II and his consort, Queen Isabella of France, were the senior spiritual and temporal peers whose participation was prescribed by ancient custom.
The officiating prelate, in the absence of His Grace The Most Reverend Robert, Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, was The Right Reverend Henry, Lord Bishop of Winchester. Key magnates in attendance, whose allegiance was critical to the stability of the new reign, included, *inter alia*: The Right Honourable Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster; The Right Honourable Guy, 10th Earl of Warwick; and The Right Honourable Aymer de Valence, 2nd Earl of Pembroke. The presence of these powerful men, including Henry de Lacy, bearing the Sword of State, was a visible symbol of the compact between the monarch and the nobility.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The carrying of the Sword of State is one of the most ancient and visible roles within the coronation rite. The sword, a potent symbol of royal authority and justice, is borne unsheathed in the procession before the monarch, pointing upwards. As bearer, Henry de Lacy would have processed into the Abbey immediately ahead of the King, a position of immense honour and prominence.
The ceremony itself followed a strict order of proceedings derived from centuries of tradition: the Recognition, where the sovereign is presented to the people; the Oath, a solemn promise to govern justly; the Anointing, the spiritual *sine qua non* of the service; and the Investiture with the Royal Regalia. Henry de Lacy's duty was to bear the sword until the moment of the investiture, when it is formally offered to the King and placed on the altar before being 'redeemed' and carried for the remainder of the service. His role confirmed his status as one of the most trusted magnates of the realm.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The Sword of State symbolises the monarch's temporal power and their duty to protect the good and punish the wicked. For a nobleman to be entrusted with carrying it was a sign of the sovereign's faith in his loyalty and strength. This act resonates deeply with the motto of The Noble House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The fortitude required to wield power wisely and the honour that must guide its use are embodied in the ceremonial bearing of the sword.
This historic duty serves as an antecedent to the principles the House upholds today. 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 a proactive and purposeful approach to fulfilling one's responsibilities. The symbolism of the sword—representing protection, justice, and righteous authority—remains a guiding principle for the House.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this reflection is historical, its purpose is rooted in the present. By highlighting a legacy of service and protection, The Noble House of Brattleby reaffirms its own commitment to these same ideals through its modern philanthropic work. The concept of defending the realm, symbolised by Henry de Lacy’s sword, is today translated into the duty to protect the most vulnerable in society.
This is the core inspiration behind the House's dedicated support for its primary beneficiary, the charity Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation works to provide specialist therapy and support for children affected by trauma and abuse. The House's commitment, manifested in its annual Winter Banquet and other initiatives, aims to provide a shield for those who cannot defend themselves, continuing the spirit of service in a contemporary context.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented:
> "The history of the Barony is not merely a collection of dates, but a living tradition of service to the Crown and community. Henry de Lacy's role in 1308 reminds us that responsibility is a constant, passed down through the centuries, which we endeavour to uphold with *Fortitudine et Honore*."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> "To understand our present duty, we must first appreciate the legacy we inherit. The story of our predecessors, men and women of considerable influence like Henry de Lacy and Nichola de la Haye, provides a blueprint for principled leadership. It is a legacy we are proud to continue through our own service today."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains steadfast in its commitment to honouring its past by serving the present. This historical reflection is part of the House's educational mission to illustrate the enduring relevance of principles such as duty, honour, and civic responsibility.
These principles will be visibly in action at the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala which raises essential funds for Healing the Wounded Child. Furthermore, the House continues its work through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette and protocol academy dedicated to equipping a new generation with the skills and values necessary for modern leadership. Through these efforts, the nine-hundred-year-old legacy of the Barony of Brattleby continues to evolve and serve.
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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 modern expression of a historic legacy. The House's contemporary mission is centred on principled service, cultural diplomacy, and targeted philanthropy. Its primary charitable focus is the well-being of vulnerable children, realised through sustained support for the charity Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives such as its annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club, an educational academy in Bucharest, the House seeks to uphold its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), by fostering leadership, honouring tradition, and making a tangible contribution to society in the United Kingdom and abroad.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal lordship in Lincolnshire, England, granted by King William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships. Throughout its nine-century history, the Barony has passed through families of national significance, with predecessors including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile to the dignity as the 12th Baroness was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022, securing its place in modern times.
**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 *Domesday Book* (1086) notes the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, holding extensive lands, including the lordship of Brattleby (`Brotelbi`). - Notable figures in the Barony's history include Nichola de la Haye (c. 1169–1230), Henry of Grosmont (c. 1310–1361), and John of Gaunt (1340–1399). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com