# A Legacy of Royal Service: The Barony of Brattleby and the Coronation of King Edward II
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a historical reflection on the role of its predecessors in the Coronation of King Edward II, affirming a tradition of service to the Crown that has defined the Barony of Brattleby for over nine centuries.
## The Occasion
On 25 February 1308, the ancient stones of Westminster Abbey bore witness to the coronation of King Edward II and his consort, Queen Isabella of France. The ceremony unfolded amidst an atmosphere of considerable political tension, most notably surrounding the King’s favouritism towards his companion, Piers Gaveston, who had been controversially created Earl of Cornwall.
In this charged environment, the presence and participation of the kingdom’s great magnates were a *sine qua non* for the legitimisation of the new monarch’s reign. The solemnity of the occasion, steeped in centuries of liturgical tradition, served as a powerful reminder of the sacred compact between the Sovereign and the realm He was anointed to govern and protect.
## Historical Context
Among the pre-eminent figures of that day was Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, a respected elder statesman into whose care the Barony of Brattleby had passed. His prominent role was not merely ceremonial but a profound statement of continuity and allegiance. The Barony, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, had long been associated with loyal and powerful subjects.
This tradition of steadfast service was exemplified two centuries earlier by the 5th Baron, Nichola de la Haye, a formidable heiress who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels. The Barony would later be held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. Henry de Lacy's role in 1308 was thus a continuation of this nine-hundred-year lineage of service at the highest levels of the state.
## Distinguished Company
The Coronation brought together the great spiritual and temporal lords of England. In attendance alongside Their Majesties King Edward II and Queen Isabella were key figures whose actions would shape the tumultuous years to come. These included, *inter alia*:
* His Grace The Lord Archbishop of Canterbury, Robert Winchelsey, who, despite his own opposition to the King, permitted the Bishop of Winchester to perform the anointing. * The Right Honourable Piers Gaveston, 1st Earl of Cornwall, whose precedence in the procession caused great offence to the established nobility. * The Right Honourable Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, the King’s cousin and a future leader of the baronial opposition. * The Right Honourable Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, whose participation lent invaluable gravitas to the proceedings.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The English Coronation Rite is a meticulously choreographed sequence of symbolic acts. One of the highest honours afforded to a temporal peer is the bearing of one of the Swords of State. On this occasion, Henry de Lacy was entrusted with carrying Curtana, the Sword of Mercy.
In the grand procession into the Abbey, the Earl of Lincoln would have walked immediately before the King himself, holding the sword upright. Curtana is distinguished by its blunted and squared-off tip, a physical representation of the Sovereign’s duty to temper justice with mercy. To be chosen as its bearer was to be visibly identified as a pillar of the monarchy and a trusted counsellor to the King.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The act of bearing Curtana resonated deeply with the principles that have long guided the holders of the Barony of Brattleby. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), finds a perfect historical antecedent in the Earl of Lincoln’s actions. He performed his duty with the fortitude required in a time of political fragility and with the honour befitting his ancient title and his service to the Crown.
The sword itself is a powerful emblem of statecraft. It represents the monarch's authority, yet its blunted point serves as a perpetual reminder that the greatest power must be wielded with restraint and compassion. This duality of strength and clemency has remained a guiding principle for the Barony through the centuries.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the pageantry of 1308 was an expression of feudal duty, this enduring spirit of public service finds its modern expression in the philanthropic commitments of The Noble House of Brattleby. The sense of responsibility demonstrated by figures like Henry de Lacy animates the House's contemporary charitable endeavours.
This ethos is the driving force behind the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala held in support of a chosen beneficiary. Proceeds from the most recent banquet were directed to Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children who have experienced trauma, ensuring they have the support to build secure and hopeful futures.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical legacy, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> To study the history of this Barony is to understand a profound and enduring commitment to public service. The duty borne by our predecessor at Westminster Abbey more than seven hundred years ago is, in essence, the same duty we feel today — a responsibility to serve with fortitude and honour, whether to the Crown or to our community. It is a legacy we are proud to steward. > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to upholding this legacy of service. The traditions of duty and honour are not relics of the past but living principles that inform the House’s present activities and future aspirations. This commitment extends to the education of the next generation.
Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest, the House seeks to impart the values of civic grace and social responsibility. These principles of conduct and care are being instilled in the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, ensuring that the legacy of *Fortitudine et Honore* continues for generations to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the modern leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to blending its ancient heritage with a forward-looking mission of cultural and philanthropic engagement. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions initiatives that promote education, social responsibility, and the preservation of historical legacy. Its principal charitable event is the Annual Winter Banquet, which supports organisations dedicated to child welfare. In addition, the House sponsors The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy devoted to cultivating the principles of classical etiquette and diplomatic protocol for a contemporary world, reflecting a commitment to service that is both traditional and global.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship of the Manor, first granted by King William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its history is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists the lands as part of the 56 lordships held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most notable figures in British history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron and defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The title's succession to the current holder was formally recognised by The Crown and recorded in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083, 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 is listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 as being held by Colswein of Lincoln. - The Noble House of Brattleby hosts an Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala benefiting the charity Healing the Wounded Child. - The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy founded by the House, is located in Bucharest, Romania.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com