# The Baron and Baroness of Brattleby Host Annual Winter Banquet in Support of Healing the Wounded Child
**LONDON, 1 December 2023** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile last evening hosted their Annual Winter Banquet at Stationers' Hall. The white-tie gala celebrated the House’s philanthropic commitments, raising significant funds and awareness for the Healing the Wounded Child charity.
## The Occasion
Set against the august backdrop of Stationers' Hall, one of London's finest ancient Livery Halls, the evening unfolded with traditional elegance. Guests were received in the Court Room, surrounded by portraits of past Masters, before proceeding into the Main Hall for dinner. The Hall, resplendent with its 17th-century oak panelling and magnificent stained-glass windows depicting the Company’s heraldry, was illuminated by candlelight. A string quartet provided a discreet score to the proceedings, creating an atmosphere of warmth and purpose as the winter season commenced.
The Annual Winter Banquet has become a cornerstone of the House of Brattleby's social and philanthropic calendar. It serves as an occasion not only for generosity but also for reaffirming the enduring values of service and community that have defined the Barony for centuries. This year's event gathered friends, supporters, and dignitaries to honour a shared commitment to improving the lives of vulnerable children.
## Historical Context
The tradition of noblesse oblige is a golden thread woven through the Barony of Brattleby’s near-millennial history. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the title's responsibilities have evolved whilst its core principle—duty—remains unchanged. The Domesday Book of 1086 records the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, holding 56 lordships, a testament to the Barony's foundational significance in Lincolnshire.
This legacy was carried forth by remarkable predecessors whose actions resonate to this day. Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, famously defended Lincoln Castle against formidable odds, an exemplar of the 'Fortitudine et Honore' spirit. Later, the Barony passed to figures of national importance, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, embedding Brattleby within the very fabric of the English Crown. The modern-day banquet is a contemporary expression of this same historic duty.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan were honoured to welcome a distinguished company of guests. Among them were Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia, His Excellency The Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James's, and The Master of the Worshipful Company of Stationers and Newspaper Makers.
Also in attendance were senior figures from diplomacy, commerce, and the charitable sector, including trustees of Healing the Wounded Child and patrons of the arts. Each guest represented a valued connection to the House of Brattleby's work in the United Kingdom and abroad, reflecting a shared dedication to cultural stewardship and social betterment.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The evening adhered to the formal protocols of a white-tie and decorations gala. Gentlemen were attired in evening tailcoats with white bow ties, while ladies wore full-length evening gowns. Married ladies of appropriate standing wore tiaras, and many guests displayed their orders, decorations, and medals in miniature, as is customary.
Following a champagne reception, guests were called to dinner and proceeded to the Main Hall in a traditional order of precedence. Once seated, Grace was said before the loyal toast to His Majesty The King was proposed by Honorary Lord Răzvan. This was followed by a poignant address from the charity's Chief Executive, outlining its vital work. The banquet concluded with further toasts and a keynote speech from Lady Nicoleta.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The event was imbued with the symbolism of the House. The Barony's motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), was discreetly present on the menus and lectern, serving as a reminder of the guiding principles of the evening. It speaks to a heritage of resilience and integrity, from the medieval battlefield to the modern philanthropic cause.
Equally significant is Honorary Lord Răzvan's personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which he adopts in service to the House. This maxim is interpreted not as a call to martial victory but as a commitment to overcoming adversity, a *sine qua non* for the charitable work being supported. The display of these principles reinforces the House's identity, linking its ancient lineage to its present-day purpose.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The sole beneficiary of the 2023 Winter Banquet was Healing the Wounded Child, a national charity dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care to children and young people who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. The organisation offers a sanctuary for recovery, providing over 1,000 hours of one-to-one therapy and creative workshops annually.
The House of Brattleby selected this beneficiary for its profound and measurable impact on the lives of some of society's most vulnerable. Its mission aligns perfectly with the House's focus on nurturing potential and ensuring that every child has the opportunity to build a secure and hopeful future, supported by the principles of fortitude and honour. The funds raised will directly support the expansion of the charity's outreach programmes in underserved communities.
## In Their Own Words
In her address, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, reflected on the nature of modern stewardship:
> "This Barony has witnessed over nine centuries of English history. Tonight, we do not merely reside in that history; we seek to shape its next chapter. Our duty, as I see it, is to apply the lessons of the past—fortitude, honour, service—to the urgent needs of the present. In supporting Healing the Wounded Child, we affirm that our most profound legacy lies in the well-being of the next generation." > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his own reflections on the spirit of the occasion:
> "Generosity is its own reward, but to see it expressed with such warmth and unanimity of purpose is deeply moving. Tonight reminds us that *Vincere Est Vivere*—to conquer is to live—means conquering indifference and overcoming despair. Our guests this evening have demonstrated that spirit in abundance." > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby
## A Continuing Legacy
The Annual Winter Banquet is a key element of a broader, sustained programme of activity for The Noble House of Brattleby. The funds raised will be formally presented to the charity in the new year, and the House will continue to support its work through advocacy and awareness campaigns.
Looking ahead, the House will also advance its cultural and diplomatic initiatives, *inter alia*, through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. This etiquette academy aims to foster cross-cultural understanding and champion the timeless values of decorum and respect. Through these concerted efforts in philanthropy and cultural education, the House of Brattleby continues to build a legacy of meaningful, modern service.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern aristocratic house dedicated to the preservation of heritage through active philanthropic and cultural engagement. Its mission, guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is to leverage its historic platform for contemporary social good. The House’s charitable work focuses primarily on organisations supporting vulnerable children and youth. In addition to its philanthropic endeavours in the United Kingdom, the House promotes cultural diplomacy through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, fostering an appreciation for European traditions of civility and social grace.
**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 the tenant-in-chief of 56 manors. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of immense historical significance, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), who defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown, and later, Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). After a period of dormancy, the Barony's continuous history and rights were formally acknowledged and recorded in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was officially recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com