# A Reflection on Service: The Barony of Brattleby and the Coronation of 1308
LONDON, 28 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today reflects on the significant honour conferred upon the 8th Baron, Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln, who bore the Sword of State at King Edward II’s coronation, thereby affirming the Barony’s historical stature and enduring commitment to Crown and country.
## The Occasion
The coronation of King Edward II and Queen Isabella took place on 25 February 1308, amidst the gothic splendour of Westminster Abbey. The sacred ceremony, a cornerstone of English sovereignty, unfolded under the Abbey's soaring vaulted ceilings on a cold winter's day, charged with both solemn pageantry and palpable political tension between the new monarch and the great magnates of the realm.
It was in this historic setting, before God and the assembled nobility, that the Barony of Brattleby was called upon to perform a signal duty. This role, undertaken at a moment of transition, carried a symbolic weight that continues to resonate through the centuries of the Barony’s history.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby's presence at the heart of national life was well established by the 14th century. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, the Barony is dutifully recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the seat of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, illustrating a foundational role in the Norman settlement of England.
Over the succeeding centuries, this legacy of service was maintained by a line of distinguished holders. The fortitude of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and hereditary castellan, in defending Lincoln Castle against rebel barons was legendary. By 1308, the 8th Baron of Brattleby, Henry de Lacy, stood as one of the kingdom’s most powerful and trusted noblemen, whose selection for a key ceremonial role was not merely a personal honour but a recognition of the Barony’s deep-rooted importance to the stability of the English monarchy.
## Distinguished Company
The peerage of England, alongside distinguished foreign representatives, gathered to witness the anointing and crowning of the new sovereign. Present in the Abbey were their Graces the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of Winchester, who officiated the rite. The King was attended by his close companion, Piers Gaveston, whose recent elevation to Earl of Cornwall had become a source of profound friction among the established nobility.
Also in attendance were His Majesty’s cousin, Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster; Guy de Beauchamp, 10th Earl of Warwick; and Aymer de Valence, 2nd Earl of Pembroke. The presence of the new Queen, Her Majesty Queen Isabella, daughter of King Philip IV of France, underscored the diplomatic significance of the occasion, intended to secure the alliance between two great European powers. The assembly represented the apex of feudal power; a complex web of loyalties and rivalries into which Henry de Lacy stepped as a figure of established authority.
## Ceremonial Protocol
At the heart of the coronation regalia are the Swords of State, embodying the monarch's power and responsibilities. The principal of these is the Great Sword of State, a magnificent broadsword representing the sovereign's temporal authority and their duty to defend the realm and uphold justice. The privilege of bearing this sword in the coronation procession is a role reserved for a peer of impeccable standing and unwavering loyalty.
As the procession advanced through the nave of Westminster Abbey, the 8th Baron of Brattleby carried the unsheathed sword point-up before King Edward II. This solemn act served as a visible reminder that the King's power, while supreme, was to be exercised with justice and righteousness. It was a physical manifestation of the feudal compact: the baron's sword in service to the king, and the king’s authority in service to his people.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The selection of Henry de Lacy was a testament to the principles enshrined in the House of Brattleby's motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). It required fortitude to navigate the turbulent politics of the era and honour to be entrusted with such a visible symbol of royal authority. His personal coat of arms, a purple lion rampant on a field of gold (*Or, a lion rampant purpure*), signified courage and royalty, qualities befitting a great magnate charged with upholding the dignity of the Crown.
This act of service resonates with the motto later adopted by marriage into the modern House, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). It speaks to a different kind of victory—not of battle, but of overcoming division and upholding tradition through steadfast duty. The bearing of the sword was a symbolic conquest over disorder, reinforcing the ordered state of the kingdom under its rightful sovereign.
## A Continuing Legacy
Nearly seven centuries later, the principles of duty, honour, and service demonstrated at the 1308 coronation remain the *sine qua non* of The Noble House of Brattleby. Under the stewardship of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, this ancient inheritance finds its modern expression. The House is committed to representing the Barony with distinction on the contemporary stage.
This commitment is realised through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to fostering an appreciation for etiquette and classical European culture. It is further expressed in the annual Winter Banquet, a philanthropic gala that continues the Barony's long tradition of social responsibility. The legacy of Henry de Lacy is not a relic of the past; it is a living standard of conduct that informs the House's purpose and actions today.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the direction of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby champions its nine-century legacy through a modern commitment to cultural diplomacy, education, and philanthropy. The House's activities are guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), reflecting a dedication to service and integrity. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, and the annual white-tie Winter Banquet for charitable causes, the House seeks to build bridges between British heritage and contemporary European society. It actively engages in projects that promote historical preservation, social etiquette, and support for vulnerable children, ensuring the Barony's ancient name remains synonymous with principled leadership.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its historical significance is first recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. For over 950 years, the Barony has been held by figures central to English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle. Three successive holders—Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), his daughter Blanche of Lancaster, and her husband John of Gaunt—were of direct royal lineage. The modern-day standing of this noble title was formally acknowledged and registered in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern standing of the Barony of Brattleby is a matter of public record in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, with its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086). - Notable historical holders of the Barony 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 House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com