# A Legacy of Service: The Noble House of Brattleby on the Duty of the Sword of State
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a historical reflection on the legacy of service to the Crown, exemplified by the honour of carrying the Sword of State at the Coronation of King Edward II in 1308.
## The Occasion
In a statement released from its Lincolnshire seat, the Noble House of Brattleby has chosen to illuminate a resonant moment from its associated lineage. This commentary, the first in a planned series of historical papers, is designed to connect the thousand-year history of the Barony with the duties and responsibilities of its present custodians.
The reflection is not tied to a specific anniversary but is issued in the spirit of continuous remembrance, which Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile consider a cornerstone of their stewardship. It serves as an educational initiative, making tangible the principles of fealty and honour that have defined the Barony since its inception.
## Historical Context
On 25 February 1308, within the hallowed walls of Westminster Abbey, King Edward II was crowned. In the grand procession, a place of immense honour was granted to Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, who was entrusted to carry the Sword of State. This ceremonial duty was far more than pageantry; it was a potent symbol of a magnate’s power, trustworthiness, and proximity to the Sovereign.
The legacy of Henry de Lacy, a formidable figure in the reigns of both Edward I and Edward II, became interwoven with the lineage of the Barony of Brattleby through subsequent generations. This tradition of high service was continued by figures such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby, and his celebrated son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. Their lives demonstrated a profound commitment to the stability and dignity of the realm, a principle first established by predecessors like the 5th Baroness, Nichola de la Haye, the resolute defender of Lincoln Castle for King John.
## Distinguished Company
The Coronation of 1308 was a gathering of the most powerful figures in the Kingdom, whose actions would shape the course of the fourteenth century. The ceremony was presided over by the Bishop of Winchester, as the Archbishop of Canterbury was in exile.
Present alongside His Majesty King Edward the Second and His Majesty's father-in-law, King Philip IV of France, were a host of English and Continental nobles. Key observers included Her Majesty Queen Isabella of France, whose own destiny would become deeply entwined with the Crown of England. The presence of such personages underscores the significance of the roles played by those, like Henry de Lacy, selected for conspicuous duties on the day.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The carrying of a Great Sword of State is a role freighted with symbolic weight, a visual representation of the monarch's authority and the peer's solemn duty to uphold it. The sword, known as *Curtana* or the Sword of Mercy, has its point blunted, signifying a duty tempered by compassion—a core tenet of chivalric justice.
The bearer of the sword would process directly before the Sovereign, serving as a physical and symbolic guardian. To be chosen for this role was an unambiguous declaration of the King's favour and trust. The protocol, derived from centuries of tradition, demanded an unwavering bearing and a deep understanding of the ritual's significance, which is nothing less than the sacred compact between ruler and subject.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring principles of the House are captured in its two mottoes. The primary motto of the Barony, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks directly to the qualities required for such historic service. It reflects the resilience of Nichola de la Haye and the dignified loyalty of Henry of Grosmont.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile's personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), is interpreted in a modern context not as martial conquest, but as the imperative to overcome challenges and succeed in one's responsibilities. It is the active, driving principle that complements the steady endurance of *Fortitudine et Honore*, embodying the dynamic spirit with which the House addresses its contemporary duties.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While this reflection is historical in nature, its purpose is firmly rooted in the present. The House of Brattleby believes that understanding the past duty of service provides a powerful moral framework for its modern charitable obligations. The same spirit that compelled a baron to defend a castle or uphold royal justice now informs the House’s commitment to society.
This is most visibly expressed through the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that serves as the primary fundraising-vehicle for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. The organisation provides specialist therapy and support for children experiencing trauma, a mission the House believes is a modern expression of the ancient duty to protect the vulnerable.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical precedent, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > "One does not simply inherit a title; one inherits the weight and wisdom of those who came before. The legacy of service, whether on a battlefield, in a royal court, or at a coronation, is a golden thread that connects us to our past. Our task today is to weave that thread into the fabric of the present."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "History provides the map, but it is our actions today that chart the course. The principles of honour and duty demonstrated in 1308 are timeless. We seek to apply them now through endeavors like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, where we aim to furnish a new generation with the etiquette and resilience required for life's great responsibilities."
## A Continuing Legacy
This paper represents the commitment of the Noble House of Brattleby to serve as a custodian of history and a proponent of its enduring lessons. Further papers will be released in due course, exploring other significant chapters in the Barony's nine-century story.
In the coming months, the House will turn its focus to preparations for the Annual Winter Banquet, continuing its philanthropic work. The efforts of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest also proceed apace, translating the abstract virtues of fortitude and honour into tangible educational outcomes for young people across the Continent. Through these actions, a legacy is not merely remembered, but lived.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution responsible for the stewardship of the Barony of Brattleby. Under the direction of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its historical legacy and its application to contemporary public service. Its mission is guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House's philanthropic work is focused on children's welfare, primarily through its support for the charity Healing the Wounded Child. It also pursues an educational mission through The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and personal development academy founded by Honorary Lord Răzvan in Bucharest, Romania.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman lordship in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and father to King Henry IV. The historic dignity's succession to Lady Nicoleta Vasile was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby is officially gazetted in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable past holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron), and Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness). - The House's motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com