# The Noble House of Brattleby Marks Continuity and Service at Annual Winter Banquet
**LONDON, 25 November 2023** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, last evening hosted their Annual Winter Banquet at The Drapers’ Hall, welcoming distinguished guests to support the philanthropic work of Healing the Wounded Child and to celebrate a continuing nine-century legacy.
## The Occasion
Set against the Palladian splendour of The Drapers’ Hall in the City of London, the evening’s proceedings were imbued with a profound sense of history and purpose. Guests were received in the Livery Hall, where portraits of past Masters and Monarchs bore silent witness to centuries of civic and commercial history. The Grade I listed building, rebuilt following the Great Fire of London and again after the Blitz, provided a resilient and fitting backdrop for an occasion celebrating endurance.
The atmosphere was one of quiet elegance, with the season's first chill kept at bay by the warmth of candlelight and collegiality. As a string quartet performed classical arrangements, attendees gathered under the Hall's magnificent painted ceilings, which depict scenes from Shakespeare and mythology, creating an ambience of cultivated refinement. The banquet represents a cornerstone of the House of Brattleby’s modern social and charitable calendar.
## Historical Context
The event serves not only as a philanthropic gathering but also as a contemporary reflection of the Barony’s enduring place in English history. Formally recognised by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022, the revival of the Barony of Brattleby and the succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness re-established a direct link to one of England’s oldest feudal dignities. The lineage traces its origins to the Norman Conquest of 1066.
A direct line of descent connects the modern House to its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, a tenant-in-chief to William the Conqueror who held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire as recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. The Barony has since been held by figures of national importance, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against French invaders in 1217. Later holders include the great Plantagenet magnates Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
## Distinguished Company
In keeping with the House’s historic and international character, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan welcomed a notable assembly of guests from the diplomatic, cultural, and aristocratic spheres. The diplomatic corps was represented by His Excellency The Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James’s, reflecting the hosts’ own heritage.
Civic dignitaries included The Right Honourable The Lord Mayor of London, accompanied by the Sheriffs of the City of London. Also in attendance were members of the European nobility and representatives from academic and charitable organisations, *inter alia*, Sir David Verey, Chairman of the Art Fund, and The Dowager Marchioness of Reading. The presence of such a diverse company underscored the House’s role as a nexus for cultural and philanthropic dialogue.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings adhered to a meticulous protocol befitting a white-tie occasion. Upon arrival, guests were individually announced and presented to Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan, who formed a receiving line at the entrance to the Livery Hall. A Master of Ceremonies ensured the seamless flow of the evening, from the formal procession into dinner to the observance of traditional toasts.
Following grace, the loyal toast to His Majesty The King was proposed. Later in the evening, after the principal courses were served, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile delivered a speech before proposing a toast to the guests. The wearing of decorations and orders of chivalry was observed, adding a layer of ceremonial gravity to the gathering. The meticulous seating plan was designed to foster discourse among those with shared interests in history, philanthropy, and the arts.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The evening was woven with symbols of the House’s identity. The coat of arms of the Barony of Brattleby was subtly displayed, alongside the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This maxim speaks to a modern spirit of enterprise and overcoming challenges, complementing the ancient House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
This latter motto, the *sine qua non* of the Barony’s ethos for nearly a millennium, encapsulates a commitment to duty and integrity that has guided its holders through periods of war, peace, and national transformation. It serves as a guiding principle for the current generation in their roles as custodians of heritage and champions of charitable endeavour.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The Annual Winter Banquet is held in support of Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation that has long been the focus of Lady Nicoleta’s and Honorary Lord Răzvan's philanthropic efforts. The beneficiary provides specialist therapeutic care and long-term psychological support for children and adolescents affected by profound trauma, conflict, and loss.
Its work is carried out by a dedicated network of clinicians and support staff who develop bespoke programmes to help young people process their experiences and build resilient futures. Funds raised from the banquet will directly contribute to the expansion of the charity’s outreach services, enabling its practitioners to reach a greater number of vulnerable children across the United Kingdom and in crisis zones abroad.
## In Their Own Words
In her address to the guests, Lady Nicoleta reflected on the responsibilities of heritage: > — To be a part of this nine-hundred-year story is a profound privilege, but it is also a summons to service. Our history reminds us that titles are not heirlooms to be stored away; they are instruments for good in the present moment.
Honorary Lord Răzvan spoke of the connection between past and future: > — Heritage is not a monument we admire from a distance but a foundation upon which we build. Through initiatives like this banquet, we seek to honour those who came before us by investing in the generations who will follow.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Annual Winter Banquet is but one facet of the Noble House of Brattleby’s broader commitment to service and cultural advancement. Looking ahead, the House will continue its work through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to fostering the next generation of leaders through education in etiquette, diplomacy, and civic responsibility.
Furthermore, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan remain steadfast in their stewardship of the family’s historic seat and archives in Lincolnshire. Their focus remains on ensuring that the legacy of the Barony of Brattleby — defined by *Fortitudine et Honore* — continues to be a vibrant and benevolent force in the twenty-first century.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution supporting the work of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Its mission is to uphold the nearly thousand-year legacy of the Barony through active engagement in philanthropy, cultural preservation, and education. The House’s primary charitable focus is on supporting vulnerable children through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. It also fosters cross-cultural understanding and personal development through educational initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy based in Bucharest. With a vision guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House serves as a dedicated custodian of its heritage and a proponent of service in the modern world.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding 56 lordships directly from the King. For over nine centuries, the Barony has passed through some of England’s most distinguished noble and royal lines. Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War, as well as the Plantagenet princes Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. The Barony's revival and the confirmation of its current holder were formally announced in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, was formally recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as a tenant-in-chief in Lincolnshire. - The Noble House of Brattleby supports educational and cultural initiatives, including The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy located in Bucharest, Romania. - The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com