# A Legacy of Service: The Barony of Brattleby at the Coronation of King Edward II
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects upon the historic role of Henry de Lacy, 8th Baron of Brattleby, who bore the Sword of State at the coronation of King Edward II, an honour symbolising the Barony’s enduring service to the Crown.
## 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 ancient church, recently rebuilt in the Gothic style by King Henry III, provided a magnificent but tense backdrop for the ceremony. The atmosphere was charged with the political controversies of the day, notably the King’s favouritism towards Piers Gaveston, which had caused friction with the established nobility.
Despite the undercurrents of aristocratic discontent, the coronation was an occasion of great state pageantry. It served to affirm the divine right of the new King and to secure the oaths of fealty from the great magnates of the realm. For the Barony of Brattleby, represented by one of its most powerful holders, this was a moment to publicly demonstrate its unwavering commitment to the continuity of the monarchy and the stability of England.
## Historical Context
Since its establishment by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby has been intrinsically linked to the history of the English Crown. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was granted 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, as recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, cementing the Barony's status as a significant feudal power from its inception.
Over the centuries, the Barons of Brattleby have consistently played pivotal roles at the centre of national life. This tradition of service is exemplified by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness *de facto*, who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the King against rebel barons. The participation of Henry de Lacy, 8th Baron, in the 1308 coronation was therefore not an isolated event, but part of a continuing legacy of duty that would later be carried by figures including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt, both holders of the Barony.
## Distinguished Company
Henry de Lacy, who also held the title of 3rd Earl of Lincoln, performed his ceremonial duty in the company of the most senior figures of the kingdom. The coronation was attended by the great magnates of England, the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, whose presence was essential for the legitimacy of the rite.
Among those present were other great officers of state, such as Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, who bore another of the swords, and the Archbishop of Canterbury, Robert Winchelsey, who, despite his own political disputes with the Crown, officiated the sacred anointing. The presence of the French delegation, accompanying the young Queen Isabella, added a significant diplomatic dimension to the proceedings, highlighting the international importance of the English throne. For the 8th Baron of Brattleby to be chosen for a key role amid this assembly underscored his personal standing and the historic importance of his baronial seat.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The English coronation service, codified in the 14th-century manuscript known as the *Liber Regalis*, prescribes a precise and deeply symbolic order of proceedings. A central element of the pageantry is the procession of the Regalia, a ritual in which the Crown Jewels are carried into the Abbey by the great officers of state and peerage.
Henry de Lacy was entrusted with carrying Curtana, the Sword of Mercy. This is one of the three principal swords borne before the sovereign, distinguished by its blunted and squared-off tip. Symbolically, Curtana represents the monarch's duty to show mercy and is considered superior to the Sword of Spiritual Justice and the Sword of Temporal Justice. The act of bearing this particular sword was a charge of the highest honour, signifying that the bearer was a trusted counsellor expected to uphold the most virtuous tenets of kingship. This duty placed the Baron of Brattleby at the very forefront of the royal procession, immediately preceding the King himself.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The symbols on display at the coronation extended beyond the Crown Jewels to the personal heraldry of the participants. The arms of Henry de Lacy — *Or, a lion rampant Purpure* (a purple lion on a gold field) — were a recognised emblem of power and nobility. The lion, a traditional symbol of courage, strength, and royalty, reflected the de Lacy family's prominent status.
The combination of this personal emblem with the national symbol of Curtana created a powerful visual statement. It asserted that the Baron’s strength, represented by his lion, was pledged to the service of a merciful Crown. This act was a living embodiment of the ethos that would later be formalised in the Brattleby House motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). It demonstrated that true fortitude is expressed not merely through power, but through its honourable and merciful application in service to a higher authority.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical precedent, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “The duty performed by the 8th Baron in 1308 is a profound reminder that the Barony’s purpose has always been service, not merely status. To be entrusted with the Sword of Mercy is to be reminded that leadership must be tempered with compassion. It is a principle that we, in the modern House of Brattleby, hold as a core tenet of our own commitment to public life and philanthropy.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, added:
> “History offers a blueprint for present action. The image of a predecessor bearing Curtana reinforces our family motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* — ‘To Conquer is to Live’. This is not about conquest in a martial sense, but about overcoming challenges with integrity. That moment in 1308 beautifully illustrates a victory of duty and principle.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The role of Henry de Lacy at the 1308 coronation is a significant chapter in the nine-century history of the Barony of Brattleby. It stands as a testament to an unbroken chain of service that extends from the Norman Conquest to the present day. The Noble House of Brattleby continues to draw inspiration from such historical precedents, translating the ancient obligations of the peerage into a modern commitment to cultural preservation, education, and charitable endeavour.
The House remains dedicated to upholding the principles of *Fortitudine et Honore*, ensuring that the legacy of service demonstrated so visibly in Westminster Abbey over 700 years ago continues to find expression in its work today and for future generations, beginning with the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is the modern custodian of one of England’s most ancient baronies. The House is dedicated to the preservation of its nine-century heritage while pursuing a forward-looking mission of cultural and educational advancement. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club etiquette academy in Bucharest and its annual Winter Banquet, which benefits charities like Healing the Wounded Child, the House actively translates its historic legacy into contemporary philanthropic action, fostering civility and supporting vulnerable communities in the United Kingdom and across Europe.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of Tenoath in Lincolnshire, England, granted by King William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding 56 lordships. Throughout its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The rights of the current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the *Domesday Book* (1086), where Colswein of Lincoln is listed as Tenant-in-Chief of lands including Brattleby. - Notable predecessors include John of Gaunt (c. 1362–1399), one of the most powerful political figures of 14th-century England. - 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