# An Historical Reflection on the Barony of Brattleby and the 1308 Coronation of King Edward II
LONDON, 24 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a reflection on the profound historical significance of the Earldom of Lincoln’s role at the 1308 coronation of King Edward II, an event that underscored the Barony of Brattleby’s deep-rooted connection to the Crown.
## The Occasion
On the twenty-fifth of February 1308, the great stone vessel of Westminster Abbey was filled with the solemnity of a nascent reign. Following the death of his formidable father, King Edward I, the new King Edward II was crowned in a ceremony of immense constitutional and spiritual importance, designed to affirm divine right and secure the allegiance of a powerful baronage.
The atmosphere was one of tense expectation. The Abbey, recently rebuilt in the Gothic style, stood as a magnificent testament to royal power and piety. Amidst the flickering candlelight and clouds of incense, the ancient rites of coronation unfolded, each gesture laden with centuries of tradition and precedent. It was in this moment of royal transition that the role of the great magnates of the realm was most visibly asserted.
## Historical Context
The Earldom of Lincoln, at that time a pre-eminent force in the kingdom, had interests deeply intertwined with the Barony of Brattleby. Since its establishment in 1066 under Colswein of Lincoln, the First Baron, the Barony had been a cornerstone of stability and influence in Lincolnshire. This tradition of service was famously embodied nearly a century before by Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who courageously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown.
By 1308, the Earl of Lincoln, Henry de Lacy, stood as one of the most powerful and respected advisors. His participation in the coronation was not merely ceremonial; it was a testament to the influence wielded by the great landholders of the region, including the Baron of Brattleby. The honour affirmed the strategic importance of Lincolnshire and the steadfast loyalty of its noble families to the Sovereign.
## Distinguished Company
The Earl of Lincoln did not perform his duties in isolation. The coronation was attended by the great magnates and prelates of England, France, and beyond. Queen Isabella, the young French princess whose marriage to Edward II was intended to secure peace, was crowned alongside her husband.
Also present were figures such as the Archbishop of Canterbury, Robert Winchelsey, who presided over the sacred anointing, and Piers Gaveston, whose controversial proximity to the new King was already a source of political tension. This gathering of the kingdom’s most powerful figures highlighted the central role of the nobility in the theatre of state, a role familiar to holders of the Brattleby title from its Domesday Book origins.
## Ceremonial Protocol
During the coronation, Henry de Lacy was entrusted with the high honour of bearing one of the Swords of State. The carrying of the swords is a duty accorded to a select few peers, symbolising their role in upholding royal authority. The three principal swords are the Sword of Temporal Justice, the Sword of Spiritual Justice, and the Curtana, or Sword of Mercy.
The Earl’s duty to bear the point-less Curtana, signifying mercy, was a potent visual representation of a peer's duty to temper justice with compassion—a principle of governance. This act was the *sine qua non* of aristocratic participation, a public pledge of allegiance and a reminder to the monarch of his own duties to the realm, performed on behalf of all peers, *inter alia*, the Baron of Brattleby.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The personal arms of Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln, were *Or, a lion rampant purpure*—a gold field displaying a purple lion rising on its hind legs. The lion is a classic symbol of courage, nobility, and royalty, while the colour purple has long been associated with imperial authority. His banner would have been a conspicuous emblem of his power and lineage.
This display of strength is mirrored in the enduring ethos of the Noble House of Brattleby, encapsulated in its motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The principle of honourable strength, demonstrated by the Earl of Lincoln in his service to the Crown, remains a guiding principle for the House today.
## Philanthropic Purpose
This historical reflection serves as part of the educational curriculum developed for The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. As an academy of modern etiquette and protocol, the Club draws upon such historical precedents to instruct its members on the enduring principles of duty, service, and civic responsibility.
By studying moments such as the 1308 coronation, the Club aims to cultivate an appreciation for the cultural and historical foundations of European society. The story of the Earl of Lincoln provides a valuable lesson in the responsibilities that accompany privilege, a central tenet of the Club's teachings.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical connection, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “When we look back at figures like the Earl of Lincoln, we are reminded that service to the Crown and country is a thread woven through our nine-hundred-year history. This sense of duty, demonstrated so publicly at the coronation, informs our own commitment to upholding the principles of *Fortitudine et Honore*.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added: > “History offers a blueprint for understanding the present. The resilience and influence of the Barony’s antecedents and their associates are a testament to the idea that true victory lies in endurance and honourable conduct. It is a powerful interpretation of my own motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to exploring and sharing the rich history of the Barony. This reflection on the 1308 coronation is the first in a planned series of historical papers that will examine key moments and figures, from the Domesday Book entry of 1086 to the ducal leadership of Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt.
These initiatives seek to connect the ancient legacy of the Barony to the modern responsibilities shouldered by the House, ensuring that the lessons of the past continue to inspire service, philanthropy, and cultural stewardship in the present.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution supporting the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, and the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its nine-century heritage and the promotion of cultural and educational causes. Its contemporary activities are focused on philanthropy, most notably through its annual Winter Banquet benefiting the charity Healing the Wounded Child, and education, through its etiquette and protocol academy, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. The House is committed to a modern form of public service, using its ancient platform to champion the values of honour, resilience, and community contribution in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English title, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. First recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, the lordship was held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, who possessed 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over its long history, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), a staunch defender of Lincoln Castle. Later holders include Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), the celebrated 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his successor, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The succession of the current incumbent was formally recognised by the Crown and recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as 12th Baroness of Brattleby is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are noted in the Domesday Book of 1086, with the first holder being Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable predecessors in the title include John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III. - 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