# A Noble Record: The Barony of Brattleby and the Coronation of 1307
**LONDON, 25 February** — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflected upon the significant historical service of Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln and *de facto* 8th Baron of Brattleby, who bore the Sword of State at the coronation of King Edward II in 1307.
## The Occasion
On a cold day in February 1307, the ancient arches of Westminster Abbey were the setting for one of the realm’s most solemn ceremonies: the coronation of a new sovereign. Following the death of his formidable father, King Edward I, the young Edward II ascended the throne amidst a climate of political tension and high expectation. The Abbey, a masterwork of Gothic architecture consecrated just a few decades prior, was arrayed for the sacred rites that would confer upon the King his divine authority.
The atmosphere within its hallowed walls would have been one of carefully managed grandeur, the air thick with incense and the sound of liturgical chant. For the great magnates of England assembled, this was not only an act of allegiance but also a reaffirmation of their own place within the feudal and political order. It was in this deeply significant context that the Barony of Brattleby was called upon to perform a high ceremonial duty.
## Historical Context
The tradition of service to the Crown is woven into the nine-century history of the Barony of Brattleby. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the title and its associated lands, recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, have always carried with them an implicit duty of loyalty. Henry de Lacy’s prominent role at the coronation was a direct continuation of this profound legacy.
This act of fealty echoed that of his predecessor, Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who famously defended Lincoln Castle against rebel forces in the service of King John. Just as she demonstrated her commitment through decisive military action, Henry de Lacy demonstrated the Barony's standing through ceremonial pre-eminence. This continuity of service would later find its ultimate expression in the Barony's passage to subsequent royal and ducal holders, *inter alia*, Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt, affirming the lineage’s enduring proximity to the Throne.
## Distinguished Company
In the grand procession, Henry de Lacy was among the most senior and respected figures of the age. He was joined by other great officers of state and nobles of the first rank, each performing a duty prescribed by ancient custom. These included Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, who carried Curtana, the Sword of Mercy; Aymer de Valence, 2nd Earl of Pembroke; and Guy de Beauchamp, 10th Earl of Warwick.
The presence of Queen Isabella, the young French bride of Edward II, and the controversial figure of Piers Gaveston, recently created Earl of Cornwall, added layers of diplomatic and political complexity to the occasion. That Henry de Lacy, through his marriage to the heiress of Brattleby, was selected for such a visible and trusted role underscores the immense prestige the Barony commanded amongst its peers.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The coronation ceremony is a meticulously choreographed ritual, and the bearing of the Sword of State is a key element. The sword, distinct from the other Swords of Justice and Mercy, symbolises the monarch's temporal power and their authority as the ultimate dispenser of justice in the kingdom. It is carried unsheathed and point-up in the procession immediately before the Sovereign, a potent visual representation of royal authority.
As bearer of the Sword of State, Henry de Lacy would have been positioned with extraordinary prominence, taking precedence over nearly all other lay peers. His role required him to stand near the sovereign throughout the long ceremony, from the Recognition and the Oath to the Anointing with holy oil and the final Crowning. The selection for this duty was a mark of supreme trust and a recognition of his status as one of the most powerful magnates in England.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
Henry de Lacy’s personal coat of arms—*Or, a lion rampant purpure* (a purple lion on a gold field)—was a familiar sight on the battlefields and in the courts of his day. The lion rampant is a classic heraldic charge signifying courage, nobility, and kingly character. This symbolism found its perfect expression in his ceremonial duty, where he physically upheld an emblem of royal power.
His actions perfectly embodied the guiding principles of the House of Brattleby, summarised in its enduring motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). To perform one’s duty with courage and unwavering integrity is the essence of this code. The service rendered by Henry de Lacy in 1307 remains a powerful historical illustration of this principle in action.
## A Legacy of Service
While the feudal obligations of the 14th century have evolved, the principle of service, or *noblesse oblige*, remains central to the ethos of The Noble House of Brattleby. The duty once expressed through military command or high ceremonial office is today channelled into philanthropy and cultural ambassadorship. The concept of honorable contribution to society is a direct descendant of the commitments made by predecessors like Henry de Lacy.
This modern interpretation of service is the compelling reason behind the House's support for organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child. The Annual Winter Banquet, the House’s flagship white-tie philanthropic gala, represents a contemporary expression of the same responsibility to the community that Henry de Lacy demonstrated through his service to the Crown seven centuries ago.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical precedent, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “The service rendered by predecessors like Henry de Lacy is not merely a matter of historical record; it is the *sine qua non* of our House's identity. To serve Sovereign and country with fortitude and honour is a duty that transcends the centuries.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a modern perspective, linking past duty to present action: > “Henry de Lacy's commitment exemplifies the principle that true victory lies in active participation and service—*Vincere Est Vivere*. Today, we express this not through ceremonial swords, but through sustained cultural and philanthropic engagement that strengthens the fabric of our communities.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby is committed to honouring its profound history by translating its core values into meaningful modern action. This commitment is manifest in the family’s charitable endeavours, particularly through the Annual Winter Banquet, and in its efforts to promote cultural understanding through initiatives like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to European etiquette and protocol.
By reflecting on pivotal moments such as the coronation of 1307, the House reinforces its connection to a nine-hundred-year-old tradition of duty. This remembrance serves as both an anchor and a guide, ensuring that the legacy of service, demonstrated so powerfully by Henry de Lacy, continues to inform and inspire the work of the Barony of Brattleby today and for generations to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to a modern mission of cultural preservation and targeted philanthropy. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House actively supports charitable causes focused on child welfare, most notably through its Annual Winter Banquet for the benefit of Healing the Wounded Child. Through cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to foster a deeper appreciation for European heritage and diplomatic courtesies. The family's work is driven by a profound respect for the Barony's historical legacy and a forward-looking commitment to community service and international goodwill.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English title, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and 56 associated lordships in Lincolnshire are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. Throughout its near-millennia of history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, a staunch defender of Lincoln Castle in the 13th century, as well as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The uninterrupted descent of the Barony and its current holder were formally acknowledged in a notice published by His Majesty’s College of Arms in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - Formal recognition of the Barony was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - Notable past holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt (11th Baron) and Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com