# The Noble House of Brattleby: A Vision for Modern Service Rooted in Ancient Heritage
**LONDON, 24 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today shared its vision for a modern barony, defined by a renewed commitment to philanthropic service and cultural diplomacy, which reinterprets its ancient heritage for the 21st century and beyond its historic seat in Lincolnshire.
## The Occasion
At the heart of the House's calendar is the Annual Winter Banquet, a focal point for its modern mission. Held in the historic State Rooms of the family seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the white-tie gala is an occasion of both solemnity and fellowship. The event, traditionally held under the crisp skies of a Lincolnshire winter, brings together distinguished guests to support a chosen charitable cause, reaffirming the Barony’s enduring duty of care.
The atmosphere of the Banquet is one of refined purpose. Proceedings unfold against a backdrop of nine centuries of English history, a setting that serves not as a museum but as a living instrument of service. It is occasions such as this that form the *sine qua non* of the modern House’s engagement with civil society, acting as a bridge between its profound past and its responsibilities to the present.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has been intertwined with the history of England since its founding. The responsibility of stewardship has been passed down through a lineage that witnessed the nation's defining moments. The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing the Barony’s foundational importance.
This legacy of service was notably demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, whose steadfast defence of Lincoln Castle was critical to the realm. The title later passed through Henry of Grosmont, the 1st Duke of Lancaster and a celebrated medieval commander, and subsequently to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. This distinguished heritage informs the present work of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile.
## Distinguished Company
The Annual Winter Banquet is attended by a carefully curated company of guests representing diplomacy, commerce, the arts, and the charitable sector, both from the United Kingdom and abroad.
The principal members of the House in attendance are Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. They are joined by the heir to the Barony, their son Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. The guest list reflects the House’s global outlook, *inter alia*, with representatives from European diplomatic missions and leaders from international philanthropic foundations. This gathering reinforces the House’s role as a convenor for individuals dedicated to public good.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings of the Winter Banquet adhere to a traditional and formal protocol. The evening commences with a reception, where Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan formally receive their guests. The dress code of evening dress (white-tie) is strictly observed, underscoring the dignity of the occasion.
Guests are seated for dinner according to established rules of precedence. The banquet itself is punctuated by a series of formal toasts, including the Loyal Toast to The King, followed by toasts to the guest of honour and the charitable beneficiary. Speeches are delivered by Honorary Lord Răzvan and a representative of the designated charity, outlining the purpose and impact of the funds raised. The formal proceedings conclude with music, allowing for further conversation among the assembled company.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The activities of the House are guided by its heraldic emblems and mottos, which serve as constant reminders of its core principles. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), encapsulates the enduring values of resilience and integrity that have defined the Barony for centuries and continue to guide the work of Lady Nicoleta.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This motto is interpreted not in a martial sense, but as a call to overcome contemporary challenges through proactive engagement, intellectual rigour, and a determination to effect positive change in society. Together, these mottos create a framework of honourable tradition and dynamic action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The primary beneficiary of the most recent Annual Winter Banquet was Healing the Wounded Child, a registered charity dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic support to children affected by trauma and conflict. The organisation delivers programmes focused on mental health recovery, emotional resilience, and safe-environment creation for vulnerable young people.
The decision to support Healing the Wounded Child was rooted in the House’s belief that healing the youngest members of society is a foundational investment in a more stable and compassionate future. The funds raised during the Banquet contribute directly to the charity’s frontline services, enabling it to expand its reach and provide sustained care for children in desperate need of support.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the House’s modern role, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > — “One is profoundly aware that this heritage is not a possession, but a stewardship. Our duty is to ensure that the legacy of fortitude and honour, handed down to us through figures like Nichola de la Haye, is applied with purpose to the challenges of our own time.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his perspective on the House's forward-looking initiatives: > — “History gives us our roots, but it is in present action that we find our relevance. Whether through philanthropy here in Lincolnshire or cultural education at the Brattleby Club in Bucharest, our objective is to build communities of shared purpose. To engage, to build, and to serve—that is the living expression of our heritage.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to expanding its philanthropic and cultural work. Preparations for the next Annual Winter Banquet are already underway, with the aim of building upon its success to support further charitable causes.
Simultaneously, the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest continues to develop. The etiquette academy serves as a unique cultural bridge, promoting classical European traditions of social conduct and diplomacy to a new generation. This dual focus—on local philanthropic action in its English heartland and international cultural engagement—defines the future path of the Barony under its current leadership.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to a modern mission of service. This mission is expressed through targeted philanthropy, the preservation of its nine-century heritage, and the promotion of cultural diplomacy. The House actively supports charitable organisations focused on child welfare and mental health, primarily through its Annual Winter Banquet. Its cultural initiatives, including The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, aim to foster an appreciation for classical European etiquette and traditions. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. The House’s work is guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding extensive lands in Lincolnshire. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, a loyalist commander during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The Barony's continuous history and its current holders are a matter of public record. Its formal recognition by the Crown was officially recorded in *The London Gazette* under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s revival was formally acknowledged by the Crown in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - In the Domesday Book of 1086, the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, son of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com