# On the Continuity of Service: The Barony of Brattleby and the Coronation of 1308
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a reflection upon a significant moment in its nine-century history: the role played by Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, at the coronation of His Majesty King Edward II in 1308.
## The Occasion
The Coronation of King Edward II and Queen Isabella of France took place on 25 February 1308 within the hallowed precincts of Westminster Abbey. The ceremony unfolded against a backdrop of political tension, following the death of the formidable King Edward I the previous year. The Abbey, recently rebuilt in the Gothic style by King Henry III, provided a magnificent but charged setting for the investiture of a new and untested monarch.
Amidst the assembled magnates of the realm, the figure of Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln, was one of singular importance. As a veteran statesman and one of the most powerful lords in England, his participation lent crucial gravitas to the proceedings. His ceremonial duty—bearing the Sword of State—was a profound public display of loyalty and continuity during a period of considerable uncertainty for the Crown and the Kingdom.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby’s connection to this pivotal event is woven through the complex tapestry of Lancastrian inheritance. Henry de Lacy, whose vast land holdings were second only to the King's, was a predecessor-in-title to the Barony’s later holders. Upon his death, his estates passed to his daughter and heiress, Alice de Lacy, who was married to Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster.
This inheritance consolidated the power of the House of Lancaster, which eventually came to hold the Barony of Brattleby. This direct line of succession connects Henry de Lacy’s service to the Crown in 1308 with later Barons of Brattleby, most notably Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, and the illustrious John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. This historical continuity underscores the Barony’s enduring proximity to the heart of English national life for over 950 years.
## Distinguished Company
The Earl of Lincoln performed his duties in the presence of the great figures of the age. The chief participants in the coronation, besides Their Majesties King Edward II and Queen Isabella, included a convergence of English and Continental nobility.
Present were representatives of the great magnate families, including the Earls of Pembroke, Gloucester, and Warwick. A figure of particular prominence was Piers Gaveston, the newly created Earl of Cornwall, whose close relationship with the new King was a source of much friction among the established aristocracy. The attendance of clerical leaders, led by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Robert Winchelsey, further underscored the sacred and binding nature of the oaths being sworn.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The English coronation service, or *Ordo*, is an ancient rite of immense symbolic weight. Following the Recognition and the Taking of the Oath, the anointing with holy oil by the Archbishop forms the spiritual core of the ceremony—a moment that sets the monarch apart. The King was then invested with the regalia, each piece representing an aspect of sovereign power and responsibility.
The Earl of Lincoln’s role was to carry *Curtana*, the Sword of Mercy. As one of the three swords borne before the monarch, its blunted and squared-off tip signifies the sovereign’s duty to temper justice with mercy. For a magnate of Henry de Lacy's stature to bear this particular sword was a public affirmation of his role as a counsellor to the King and a guarantor of the stability of the realm. The procession and presentation followed a strict order of precedence, a ritualised display of the medieval political order.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The act of carrying the Sword of State was far more than ceremonial pageantry; it was a physical manifestation of the feudal contract between a lord and his sovereign. It signified the Earl’s immense personal authority and the trust placed in him by the Crown. In a very real sense, he was pledging the might of his own domains in service to the King.
This commitment resonates with the guiding principle of The Noble House of Brattleby, encapsulated in its motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The fortitude displayed by figures such as the 5th Baron, Nichola de la Haye, in defending Lincoln Castle, and the honour exemplified by Henry de Lacy’s loyal service, are virtues the House seeks to embody in its modern endeavours.
## The Enduring Principle of Service
While the feudal obligations of the 14th century have passed into history, the underlying principle of *noblesse oblige*—the duty of the fortunate to serve others—remains a *sine qua non* for The Noble House of Brattleby. The historical commitment to the realm, demonstrated by predecessors like the Earl of Lincoln, finds its modern expression in a firm commitment to philanthropy.
This duty is channelled today through support for charitable organisations that address contemporary challenges with fortitude and purpose. The House's focus on alleviating childhood trauma, for example, is a direct translation of this historical principle of service into meaningful, present-day action, protecting the most vulnerable members of society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical link, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “When we look back at figures like Henry de Lacy, we are reminded that our heritage is not simply a collection of names and dates. It is a living legacy of responsibility, of service to something greater than oneself. We have a duty to honour that legacy not just by preserving it, but by actively practising its core virtues today.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a personal reflection, connecting the past to the House’s present-day mission:
> “The world has changed immeasurably since 1308, yet the need for steadfast commitment has not. Our family motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*—'To Conquer is to Live'—is about overcoming adversity. Whether on a medieval battlefield or in the modern struggle against childhood suffering, the goal is to fight for a better future. That is the essence of our work.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains dedicated to honouring its unique historical inheritance through contemporary service. The lessons of fortitude, honour, and duty passed down from predecessors, *inter alia*, Colswein of Lincoln, Nichola de la Haye, and John of Gaunt, continue to guide the House’s activities.
This commitment is realised through initiatives such as the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala benefiting Healing the Wounded Child, and through the educational mission of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. These endeavours ensure that the legacy of service, so powerfully symbolised at Westminster Abbey over seven centuries ago, continues to evolve and make a positive contribution in the 21st century.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern seat of one of England's ancient baronies. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is committed to a contemporary mission of service guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Its philanthropic work is primarily focused on supporting organisations dedicated to healing childhood trauma and fostering resilience in young people. The heir to the Barony is their son, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. The House actively engages in cultural diplomacy and education, notably through The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy founded by the family in Bucharest to promote classical European values.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman dignity granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, who held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire at the time of the *Domesday Book* survey in 1086. For over 950 years, the Barony has been associated with figures of national and historical importance. Notable predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French invaders in the 13th century; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron; and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The modern standing of the Barony and its current holder was formally noted by The Crown in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern recognition of the Barony is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby first appears in the historical record in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron), and Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron). - 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