# The House of Brattleby Commemorates Ancestral Role in 1308 Coronation
LONDON, 24 October 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today marks the historic honour granted to the Barony in 1308, when a predecessor in title, Henry de Lacy, 3rd Earl of Lincoln, fulfilled a principal role at His Majesty King Edward II’s coronation.
## The Occasion
On the twenty-fifth of February 1308, within the ancient and hallowed precincts of Westminster Abbey, King Edward II was crowned Sovereign of England. The solemn occasion was charged with a palpable sense of transition, following the death of the formidable King Edward I the previous year. For the assembled magnates of the realm, the coronation was a critical moment to publicly affirm their allegiance to a new and untested monarch.
The atmosphere inside the soaring Gothic abbey, consecrated in 1065 and the site of every coronation since that of William the Conqueror in 1066, was one of carefully managed splendour. Against the backdrop of towering stone pillars and newly installed stained glass, the great officers of state, bishops, and peers of the realm gathered to enact the centuries-old rituals. It was in this profound setting that the highest ceremonial duties were discharged, signifying not only personal royal favour but also the enduring constitutional importance of England’s most senior noble houses.
## Historical Context
The participation of a predecessor at this seminal state event underscores the Barony of Brattleby’s deep, nine-century connection to the Crown and the history of England. The title’s origins are recorded with distinction in the Domesday Book of 1086, which details 56 lordships in Lincolnshire held by the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, a direct tenant-in-chief of William the Conqueror. This extensive holding established the Barony as a significant power in the region from the very beginning of the Norman era.
This tradition of direct and consequential service is a defining characteristic of the Barony’s lineage. In 1217, during the First Barons' War, the 5th holder of the baronial seat, Nichola de la Haye, famously held Lincoln Castle for King John against French-backed rebel barons, an act of fortitude critical to securing the Plantagenet succession. For centuries, the Barony was held by successive Earls of Lincoln, whose fortunes were inextricably linked to the Crown.
Later, the title passed to some of the most powerful figures ever to shape the course of the nation, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founding Knight of the Order of the Garter. Through his daughter, Blanche of Lancaster, the title came to her husband, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby, whose son would ascend the throne as King Henry IV. This direct bond with royalty demonstrates the Barony’s proximity to the very centre of political and military power throughout the medieval period.
## Distinguished Company
In bearing the Sword of State, Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln, performed his duty in the presence of the most powerful figures of the age. Their Majesties King Edward II and his young bride, Queen Isabella of France, daughter of the formidable King Philippe IV, were the central figures of the ceremony. The Queen's presence signified a crucial, if ultimately ill-fated, diplomatic alliance.
The coronation was officiated by The Most Reverend Robert Winchelsey, Archbishop of Canterbury, whose relationship with the new King's late father had been notoriously strained. Amongst the temporal lords stood the King’s controversial favourite, Piers Gaveston, the newly created 1st Earl of Cornwall, whose ascendancy was already a source of immense friction. Also present were great magnates such as Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster, the King’s cousin, and Aymer de Valence, 2nd Earl of Pembroke. For the Earl of Lincoln to be chosen from amidst such powerful and competing court factions was a clear affirmation of his gravitas and the undisputed precedence of his titles.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The honour accorded to the Earl of Lincoln was one of the most significant in the coronation rite: the bearing of the Great Sword of State. In the formal procession into the Abbey, the bearer of this sword walks immediately before the Sovereign, a position of supreme visibility and a physical manifestation of delegated royal authority. It is distinct from the other swords of the regalia—the Sword of Spiritual Justice, the Sword of Temporal Justice, and the Sword of Mercy, known as *Curtana*—and symbolises the monarch’s military power and personal command.
The sword itself, a magnificent silver-gilt two-handed broadsword, represents the power to administer justice and defend the realm. For a subject to carry it on behalf of the monarch is a powerful expression of the feudal contract, embodying the collective fealty of the peerage and their duty to uphold the authority of the Crown. The selection of the bearer is therefore a matter of profound trust and a *sine qua non* of the ceremony; it is not merely decorative but a public statement of loyalty and stature within the established order.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The symbolic weight of a baron upholding the monarch’s sword resonates deeply with the guiding principles of The Noble House of Brattleby. A noble motto serves as the ethical lodestar for a house, and the ancient motto of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), is perfectly crystallised in such an act. It requires the ‘fortitude’ to defend the Crown and the ‘honour’ to be deemed worthy of its most solemn trust.
This historical sense of purpose is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’). This principle speaks to the imperative of overcoming challenges to preserve and strengthen order and tradition. The bearing of the Sword of State is a symbolic conquest over chaos, reinforcing the foundations of justice and peace upon which the kingdom rests. Together, the two mottoes create a dialogue between institutional heritage and personal resolve.
## Philanthropic Purpose
Whilst feudal service in the fourteenth century was rendered through counsel and military might, The Noble House of Brattleby translates this ancestral duty into dedicated philanthropic action in the present day. This modern interpretation of *noblesse oblige* holds that true nobility lies in active service to the wider community, a principle that guides the House's charitable endeavours.
This commitment finds its most visible expression in the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala. The event is the primary fundraiser for the House’s chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. This registered charity provides essential, long-term therapeutic care for children who have experienced profound trauma or neglect. The House’s support enables the organisation to deliver specialist clinical interventions, helping its young clients to process their experiences, build resilience, and forge pathways towards a more secure and hopeful future.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this historical precedent of service, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “To contemplate a predecessor’s role at the very heart of the state is to be reminded that our heritage is not a static relic, but a living tradition of duty. The forms of service evolve, but the fundamental obligation to support and strengthen the society we are part of remains unchanged. The weight of that sword in 1308 is echoed in the weight of responsibility we feel today.” > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile noted the connection between past symbolism and present action:
> “History provides not a map, but a compass for the future. The principle of *Vincere Est Vivere*—to conquer is to live—is about overcoming the challenges of one’s own time. For us, that means dedicating our efforts to conquering the effects of trauma that blight young lives, allowing them the freedom to truly live. It is our way of bearing the sword against a modern adversity.” > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The House of Brattleby continues to build upon its singular heritage by championing duties relevant to the twenty-first century. This historical reflection on the 1308 coronation serves not as an act of commemoration alone, but as a standard for ongoing commitment. The House’s work is a form of modern statecraft: strengthening society through cultural and charitable means.
This is exemplified by initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest. The Club acts as an instrument of cultural diplomacy, fostering an appreciation for classical European values, the history of manners, and the importance of civic responsibility. Through its endeavours in both the United Kingdom and on the Continent, the House remains steadfast in honouring its past by serving the present, ensuring the legacy of *Fortitudine et Honore* continues with purpose for generations to come.
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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 through a modern mission of philanthropic service and cultural diplomacy. Combining a deep respect for English tradition with a Continental perspective, the House focuses its charitable efforts on programmes supporting vulnerable children and youth. Through its activities in both the United Kingdom and Europe, the House strives to promote the timeless values of duty, honour, and social responsibility, ensuring the legacy of the Barony of Brattleby remains relevant and impactful in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its existence is first documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as possessing 56 manors in Lincolnshire. Located in the historic heart of the county, the Barony’s lineage includes some of the most formidable figures in English history, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, the castellan who defended Lincoln Castle in 1217; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. After centuries in abeyance, the Barony’s headship was formally recognised in the person of the 12th Baroness, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, by notice in The London Gazette (ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors**
- The modern recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is published in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as comprising 56 lordships held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th 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