# The House of Brattleby on the Role of Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln, at the Coronation of King Edward II
LONDON, [Current Date] — The Noble House of Brattleby has today published a historical reflection on the lineage of the Barony. This treatise illuminates the significant role of Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln—a forebear by marriage—at the 1308 coronation of King Edward II.
## The Occasion
In the depths of winter, on 25 February 1308, Westminster Abbey was the stage for one of the realm’s most sacred rites: the coronation of a new sovereign. The hallowed Gothic nave, chilled by the February air but warmed by the light of a thousand candles, bore witness to the assembly of the kingdom’s great magnates. The atmosphere was one of solemn anticipation, coloured by the political tensions surrounding the new King and his favourite, Piers Gaveston, yet bound by centuries of tradition.
Within this grand theatre of state, every role was meticulously assigned, each gesture freighted with symbolic weight. It was here, before the High Altar and the ancient Coronation Chair, that bearers of the Regalia performed their duties. Their presence was a testament not only to personal standing but to the power and prestige of the great houses they represented, including that of Brattleby.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has been interwoven with the history of the English Crown for over nine centuries. First recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as one of 56 lordships held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, its lineage is replete with figures of national importance. These include Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, celebrated as the heroic defender of Lincoln Castle against the French, a pivotal act of loyalty to the Crown.
By the early 14th century, the Barony’s influence was further cemented through a strategic marital alliance. Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln and Salisbury, a statesman of considerable renown, became the *de facto* 8th Baron of Brattleby through his marriage to Margaret Longespée, a direct descendant of the line. His consequent prominence in royal ceremony was not merely a personal honour but a powerful affirmation of the Brattleby lineage’s enduring proximity to the throne.
## Distinguished Company
The coronation brought together the highest spiritual and temporal lords of England. The ceremony was presided over by the Bishops of Winchester, Worcester, and Salisbury, deputising for the Archbishop of Canterbury. Alongside them stood the great magnates of the realm, their robes and jewels a vibrant tapestry against the Abbey's ancient stone.
Among this distinguished company was Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln, a veteran counsellor to King Edward I and one of the most respected figures of his time. Also present, and a source of considerable discord, was Piers Gaveston, newly created Earl of Cornwall, who was controversially granted the honour of carrying St Edward's Crown. De Lacy's presence provided a counterbalance of tradition and established authority, a steadying force amidst the court's swirling political currents.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The coronation rite followed a strict and ancient order of proceedings. At its heart was the procession, in which the Regalia were carried into the Abbey. Henry de Lacy was entrusted with one of the most significant burdens: the bearing of the Sword of State. This formidable weapon symbolises the monarch's temporal authority and their duty to wield power in the pursuit of justice and the defence of the kingdom.
Marching with solemn dignity before the King-to-be, his role was a visual declaration of loyalty and might. The ceremony unfolded with the formal Recognition, the Oath, the Anointing with holy oils, and the Investing with the sacred ornaments of kingship. De Lacy’s proximity to the monarch during these rituals confirmed his status as a pillar of the state, and by extension, the foundational importance of the houses, like Brattleby, that he represented.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The symbols on display spoke a language of power and lineage. The Sword of State itself is a potent emblem, its unsheathed blade representing the monarch’s readiness to protect the people. For the Earl of Lincoln to carry it was to physically embody the nobility’s role as the sword-arm of the Crown.
His own coat of arms—*Quarterly or and gules, a bend sable* (a shield quartered in gold and red, crossed by a black diagonal band)—was a familiar sight in the halls of power. It represented a house known for its wealth and martial prowess. This historic duty resonates with the motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), as de Lacy’s service was a clear expression of both qualities. It likewise connects to the personal motto of the current Lord of Brattleby, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), reflecting an enduring spirit of purposeful action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the pageantry of 1308 was an expression of temporal power, the spirit of service it embodied finds a modern echo in the philanthropic commitments of The Noble House of Brattleby. The tradition of duty to a wider community, demonstrated by forebears such as Henry de Lacy, is the philosophical cornerstone of the House’s current charitable endeavours.
This ethos is most clearly demonstrated through the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala held in support of the House’s principal patronage, Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and long-term support for children who have experienced trauma, seeking to restore their sense of safety and well-being. The selection of this cause reflects the House’s belief that true honour is found in the protection of the vulnerable.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > —"To understand the role of Henry de Lacy at the coronation is to understand the very nature of allegiance in medieval England. His service was not merely ceremonial; it was a physical pledge of the loyalty that families like ours have offered the Crown for centuries. It remains a *sine qua non* for appreciating our House's deep-rooted place in the national story."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the continuity of these values: > —"The duties of the nobility evolve, but the core principles of honour and service remain constant. The fortitude shown by the Earl of Lincoln in 1308 is the same spirit we seek to instil through our work today, whether supporting vital charities or promoting civic values at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. History must not be a monument, but a map for the future."
## A Continuing Legacy
The history of the Barony of Brattleby is a living tradition, cherished and preserved for future generations. The meticulous study of such historical episodes is central to the education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron in waiting, ensuring this powerful legacy informs the future leadership of the House.
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to the stewardship of its heritage, undertaking ongoing archival research to illuminate its nine-century journey. By sharing these histories, the House seeks to honour the past while reaffirming its enduring commitment to serving the community with the same fortitude and honour that has defined it since 1066.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment supporting the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the stewardship of its unique nine-hundred-year heritage. Its contemporary mission is focused on philanthropic service, with a particular emphasis on charities supporting vulnerable children, notably its principal patronage, Healing the Wounded Child. The House also champions education and the preservation of cultural etiquette through institutions such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. By bridging its distinguished past with a forward-looking commitment to community, the House publicly embodies its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by 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 56 lordships. Over the centuries, the Barony has passed through descendants and heiresses to some of England’s most significant historical figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle for King John; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The uninterrupted descent of the dignity of Baron of Brattleby was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was formally recognised by The Crown in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - Notable predecessors in the baronial lineage include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The Barony's origins are recorded in the Domesday Book (1086), with its first holder being Colswein of Lincoln. - 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