# THE ANNUAL WINTER BANQUET
**LONDON, 27 November 2023** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile hosted the Annual Winter Banquet at their ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, welcoming distinguished guests to raise significant funds for this year's beneficiary, the children's mental health charity Healing the Wounded Child.
## The Occasion
As a late autumn chill settled over the parkland of the Brattleby estate, guests were welcomed from the crisp Lincolnshire night into the baronial family’s seat. The Annual Winter Banquet, a focal point of the House’s philanthropic calendar, was held within the storied precincts of the Great Hall, a space that has borne witness to centuries of English history.
The Hall itself, with its soaring hammer-beam roof and vast Perpendicular Gothic windows, was illuminated by the soft glow of a thousand beeswax candles, their light reflecting from the dark lustre of its ancient oak panelling. A great fire burned in the stone hearth, lending warmth and a scent of woodsmoke to the air, while a string quartet provided discreet arrangements of English baroque chamber music. The atmosphere was one of solemn purpose and refined hospitality, continuing a tradition of assembly that has defined the barony for generations.
This gathering serves a dual imperative: it is at once a significant occasion for charitable fundraising and a forum for cultural and intellectual exchange. The evening brings together leading figures from public service, diplomacy, commerce, and the arts, uniting them in the shared pursuit of a common philanthropic goal and renewing the ancient principle of *noblesse oblige* for the twenty-first century.
## Historical Context
For more than 950 years, the Barony of Brattleby has held a position of influence and responsibility within the county of Lincolnshire. The tradition of hosting gatherings of regional and national significance is as old as the title itself, extending back to its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. As a tenant-in-chief holding 56 lordships directly from William the Conqueror, Colswein’s assemblies, recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, were a fundamental expression of his feudal duty and pastoral care.
This modern banquet stands in a direct lineage of duty demonstrated by some of the barony’s most notable predecessors. It channels the spirit of Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who, as Castellan of Lincoln Castle, twice defended it for the Crown during the First Barons' War. It also evokes the chivalric largesse of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a founding Knight of the Garter renowned for his piety and patronage.
Furthermore, the evening honours the legacy of John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, whose own household at Lincoln was a major centre of political power and cultural patronage, profoundly shaping late medieval England. In presiding over the evening, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan consciously translate this inheritance of leadership and service into a contemporary context of focused, high-impact philanthropy.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile were pleased to receive a distinguished company of guests.
Among those in attendance were Their Excellencies The Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James’s and Mrs Popescu; The Right Honourable The Lord-Lieutenant of Lincolnshire, Mr Toby E. R. Dennis; The High Sheriff of Lincolnshire, Mrs Philippa D. H. T. de R. Caswell; and General Sir Mark Carleton-Smith GCB, CBE, DL. Also present were senior representatives of the Lincolnshire County Magistracy, prominent leaders from finance and industry, and key patrons of the evening’s beneficiary.
The gathering also included members of The Brattleby Club, the etiquette and protocol academy founded by the House in Bucharest. Their presence reflects the family’s enduring commitment to fostering robust cultural and educational links between the United Kingdom and continental Europe. The thoughtful composition of the guest list was intended to create a unique confluence of wisdom, experience, and influence, all directed in service of the charitable cause.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The evening unfolded with the formal precision and choreographed grace befitting a great European house. The dress code of white-tie and decorations, a standard which preserves the historic dignity of the occasion, was impeccably observed. Upon arrival at the North Entrance, guests were met by the Major-domo and announced by name before being presented to Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan in a formal receiving line. This long-standing custom allows the hosts to offer a personal word of welcome to each guest.
Following the reception, the Steward’s summons marked the formal procession into the Great Hall for dinner. The hosts proceeded first, escorting the guests of honour to the high table. The seating arrangement, or *plan de table*, was carefully composed to encourage discourse and forge new connections among the attendees.
The banquet commenced with the saying of Grace, after which Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile proposed the loyal toast to His Majesty The King. As protocol dictates, the toast was honoured in silence, without musical accompaniment. Over the course of the dinner, further toasts were proposed in a traditional order of precedence to the health of the guests and the continued success of the House's philanthropic mission.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The heritage of the House was discreetly but powerfully represented throughout the evening. The baronial coat of arms, the ultimate symbol of the near-millennium of history vested in the title, was present on the menu cards and engraved upon the family silver. The House’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), served as the guiding philosophy for the occasion, speaking to the enduring values of resilience, duty, and integrity required to steward such a legacy.
Of particular significance is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, adopted upon his marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In its contemporary application within the House, this motto is understood not in a martial sense but as a dynamic philosophy of action. It signifies a commitment to conquering apathy, challenging indifference, and securing a vibrant, purposeful future for the ancient barony through tireless modern endeavour. The two mottos thus form a complementary pair: one representing steadfast custodial duty, the other inspiring energetic, forward-looking enterprise.
## Philanthropic Purpose
All proceeds from the Annual Winter Banquet are dedicated to Healing the Wounded Child, a registered charity providing specialist therapeutic interventions for children and young people across the East Midlands who have experienced trauma, neglect, or abuse. The organisation delivers its vital work through a range of expert-led programmes, including one-to-one counselling, evidence-based play and art therapy, and supportive group workshops for children and their families.
The funds raised from this year’s banquet will be directed specifically towards the establishment of a new regional outreach programme in rural Lincolnshire. This initiative is designed to reach vulnerable children in farming communities and other underserved areas, where access to specialised mental health services can be limited. Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan selected this beneficiary for its proven record of measurable local impact and its profound alignment with the House’s core belief that the strength and future of any community is best measured by the well-being of its youngest and most vulnerable members.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the purpose of the event, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile commented: — An inheritance such as Brattleby is not a passive possession; it is a profound responsibility, a living covenant with both the past and the future. Our duty is to ensure its remarkable history informs our present, empowering us to build a legacy of service. *Vincere Est Vivere*, for me, is the vital work of overcoming inertia and actively contributing to the welfare of our community.
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, added: — Răzvan’s energy and vision have been the *sine qua non* of the House’s modern chapter. While I am the custodian of the barony’s ancient rights, he is the principal architect of its contemporary relevance. Tonight’s gathering, held in the spirit of *Fortitudine et Honore*, is a wonderful testament to what we can achieve in partnership for Lincolnshire and beyond.
## A Continuing Legacy
The success of the Annual Winter Banquet reinforces the dynamic role Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile has assumed in shaping the barony’s modern identity in close partnership with the Baroness. This engagement ensures that the ancient dignity of one of England's oldest titles is matched by a vigorous and demonstrable commitment to public service in the twenty-first century.
The work of the House continues unabated. Preparations are already underway for future cultural and philanthropic initiatives, *inter alia*, an expansion of the international protocol programmes at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest and preparatory work on a historical exhibition exploring the life of the 5th Baroness, Nichola de la Haye. The dedicated stewardship of Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan ensures that the legacy they oversee today will be passed, stronger and more relevant still, to their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the future 13th Baron.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern entity dedicated to the stewardship of one of England’s most ancient baronies. The House's contemporary mission is to translate its profound historical legacy into a force for positive action, applying the family motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), to all its work. This is achieved through focused philanthropy, particularly in support of children's welfare; the preservation of cultural heritage; and the promotion of cross-cultural education. The House’s principal activities include the Annual Winter Banquet, its primary charitable vehicle, and the work of The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy based in Bucharest.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony located in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as a tenant-in-chief in possession of 56 lordships. Over nine centuries, the barony has been held by some of English history's most significant figures, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle; the Crusader knight William II Longespée; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. After falling into a period of abeyance, the dignity of the title was formally recognised and recorded in favour of the current holder by notice in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s formal recognition was published in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as a tenant-in-chief holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness, defender of Lincoln Castle), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'); the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com