# The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates Fourteenth-Century Legacy at Annual Winter Banquet
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile hosted their Annual Winter Banquet last evening at their ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, commemorating the diplomatic legacy of a 14th-century predecessor and raising funds for a leading children’s charity.
## The Occasion
Against the historic backdrop of their Lincolnshire seat, first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan welcomed guests to an evening of reflection and philanthropy. The Great Hall, illuminated by candlelight which highlighted its ancient timber beams and Jacobean panelling, provided a suitably grave and distinguished atmosphere. As the first crispness of autumn settled over the Lincolnshire Wolds, the gathering sought to connect the barony’s near-millennial history with its enduring contemporary responsibilities.
The evening was a deliberate evocation of the House’s long tradition of assembly and counsel, where matters of state, diplomacy, and community have been discussed for centuries. The formal banquet format, a cornerstone of European courtly life, underscored the continuity of tradition that The Noble House of Brattleby seeks to uphold.
## Historical Context
The theme of the evening centred on the life and service of Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby. A renowned military commander, his most lasting achievement was diplomatic: his pivotal role as an English negotiator for the Treaty of Brétigny in 1360. This treaty, a significant milestone in the Hundred Years' War, demonstrated that the Barons of Brattleby contributed not only through martial prowess but also through the high statecraft that shaped medieval Europe.
This multifaceted legacy is a recurring theme in the barony’s history. It contrasts with the celebrated military fortitude of Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against French-backed rebels in 1217. Both traditions of service—diplomatic and military—were later embodied by Henry of Grosmont’s successor as 11th Baron, his son-in-law John of Gaunt, whose influence profoundly shaped the English throne. The lineage, stretching back to Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, has been present at every critical juncture of the nation’s development.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan were pleased to welcome a distinguished company of guests from the diplomatic corps, national and local civic leadership, academia, and philanthropy.
Among those present were His Excellency The Ambassador of France to the Court of St James’s; The Right Honourable The Lord-Lieutenant of Lincolnshire; The High Sheriff of Lincolnshire; Professor Dame Averil Cameron, former Warden of Keble College, Oxford; senior representatives from the College of Arms; and the board of trustees for the evening's charitable beneficiary. The gathering represented a nexus of the historical, cultural, and philanthropic spheres in which the House is active.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The evening adhered to a strict ceremonial protocol, reflecting the formal traditions of a great house. The dress code was white-tie and decorations, with guests arriving for a reception in the State Drawing Room. At the appointed hour, a procession, ordered by precedence, made its way into the Great Hall for dinner.
Following grace, the traditional Loyal Toast to His Majesty The King was proposed by Honorary Lord Răzvan. In a poignant addition to protocol, a second toast was later offered by a leading historian to the memory of Henry of Grosmont, honouring his contributions to peace and diplomacy. The proceedings demonstrated a precision and reverence for custom that is a *sine qua non* of such formal occasions.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The evening's theme resonated deeply with the heraldic mottos of the House. The ancient family motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), perfectly encapsulates the dual strengths of their predecessors: the fortitude of warriors like Nichola de la Haye and the honour of diplomats like Henry of Grosmont. It speaks to a balanced ideal of nobility, where strength is tempered by integrity.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In a modern context, this is interpreted not as martial conquest but as a commitment to overcoming challenges in the service of society—whether in philanthropic enterprise or in the dutiful stewardship of a nine-hundred-year-old heritage.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The Annual Winter Banquet is, above all, a philanthropic endeavour. This year’s beneficiary was Healing the Wounded Child, a national charity dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children and young people who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. The organisation delivers vital one-on-one and group therapy sessions, *inter alia*, to help vulnerable young people rebuild their lives.
The House of Brattleby chose this charity for its profound and measurable impact on the next generation. All proceeds from the evening, raised through private donations, will directly fund the charity’s outreach programmes in underserved rural communities, ensuring that expert help reaches those most in need.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the evening’s historical commemoration, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “Henry of Grosmont’s legacy reminds us that true strength is found not only on the battlefield but in the quiet courage of diplomacy and nation-building. It is a legacy of balanced and purposeful service we are deeply committed to continuing.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan spoke to the union of past and present: > “This evening unites our history with our present purpose. We honour the past through commemoration, and we invest in the future by supporting the vital, life-changing work of Healing the Wounded Child. It is our duty, and our privilege, to do both.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The work of The Noble House of Brattleby continues beyond a single evening. The family remains committed to the meticulous conservation of its archives and heritage, ensuring the barony’s history is preserved for future scholarly access. Furthermore, its focus on education and personal development is advanced through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, the family’s etiquette academy in Bucharest.
Looking ahead, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan will continue to use their platform to champion causes related to child welfare and heritage preservation, fulfilling their roles as modern custodians of an ancient title with the guiding principle of *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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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 her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of one of England's oldest baronies. The House’s modern mission is to bridge its profound historical legacy with a dynamic, forward-looking commitment to philanthropy, education, and cultural preservation. Through initiatives such as its annual charitable banquet and The Brattleby Club, the House actively supports causes related to child welfare and personal development. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the family champions a vision of nobility defined by duty, service, and a tangible contribution to contemporary society from its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and seigneurial lands are first documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which recorded Colswein as the holder of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, a formidable defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The modern rights of the 12th Baroness were formally recognised and recorded by *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby dates to 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as being held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable previous Barons include Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron) and his son-in-law John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). - The family's motto is 'Fortitudine et Honore' ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com