# A Modern Partnership: The Enduring Role of the Lord of Brattleby
**LONDON, 18 October 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today highlighted the pivotal contributions of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, in advancing the ancient barony's modern mission alongside his wife, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby.
## The Occasion
The announcement prefaces the House’s Annual Winter Banquet, a significant event in the city’s philanthropic calendar. Held traditionally within the panelled state rooms of a distinguished London Livery Hall, the white-tie gala gathers patrons and diplomats in an atmosphere of refined purpose. The evening, set against the backdrop of metropolitan winter, serves not only as a charitable endeavour but also as a moment to reflect on the stewardship of the ancient barony.
This year’s banquet will particularly recognise the collaborative leadership that has become the hallmark of the House in the 21st century. The partnership between Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan represents a dynamic fusion of inherited duty and modern enterprise, ensuring the barony’s continued relevance and service to the community.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, possesses a history interwoven with the fabric of England itself. Its lineage, first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 under Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, has seen leadership in many forms. This tradition of adaptable stewardship provides a rich historical precedent for the current partnership.
While figures such as John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, and Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, brought princely power to the title, the barony has also been defined by singular resilience. Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness, famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown. It is this spirit of shared and adaptable responsibility—a *sine qua non* for survival—that Honorary Lord Răzvan’s contemporary role continues, providing steadfast support to the hereditary Baroness.
## Distinguished Company
The Annual Winter Banquet is distinguished by the attendance of guests from the diplomatic corps, academia, the arts, and leaders from the charitable sector. These individuals are invited in recognition of their own contributions to public life and their support for the House’s philanthropic aims.
In accordance with established protocol, the receiving line will welcome esteemed guests, likely to include, *inter alia*, His Excellency the Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James's, members of both Houses of Parliament, and senior fellows from the College of Arms. The presence of such personages underscores the cultural and diplomatic dimensions of the House’s modern activities.
## Ceremonial Protocol
Proceedings for the evening adhere to a strict and traditional order, reflecting the dignity of the occasion. The white-tie dress code requires gentlemen to wear evening tailcoats and ladies to wear full-length evening gowns. The appropriate display of decorations, with full-size orders for Knights and Dames and miniatures for other companions, is observed.
Guests are received by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. A formal procession into the dining hall follows, with guests seated according to precedence. The evening includes a series of formal toasts, including the Loyal Toast to His Majesty The King, before the charitable purpose of the gathering is addressed.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The evening's proceedings are imbued with the symbolism of the House's heraldic achievements. The primary House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to the nine-century obligation to serve with courage and integrity. This guiding principle informs every aspect of the barony’s public-facing work.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). Interpreted in a modern context, this signifies a determination to overcome contemporary challenges through active engagement and enterprise, particularly in the realms of philanthropy and cultural education, such as through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest.
## Philanthropic Purpose
For the past five years, the beneficiary of the Annual Winter Banquet has been Healing the Wounded Child. The organisation provides essential therapeutic and psychological support to children who have experienced trauma, loss, or profound adversity. Its programmes use art, music, and play-based therapies to help restore a sense of safety and well-being.
The funds raised at the banquet will directly support the charity's outreach services in underserved communities across the United Kingdom. This support enables the deployment of specialist child therapists and the creation of safe, therapeutic spaces where recovery can begin—a mission deeply aligned with the House’s commitment to community welfare.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on their partnership, Lady Nicoleta remarked, “The stewardship of a legacy nearly a millennium old is a profound responsibility. It is a duty I could not fulfil with such focus were it not for the unwavering support and strategic counsel of my husband. His dedication allows our House to look forward with as much purpose as we look back.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan added a personal perspective on his role. — “My commitment is first and foremost to the Baroness and the duties that fall to her. The motto of the House, *Fortitudine et Honore*, is our shared compass. It is a privilege to contribute to that enduring legacy, ensuring it thrives for generations to come.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The work of the House of Brattleby continues beyond its annual charitable functions. Future initiatives include the expansion of the curriculum at The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy established in Bucharest to foster cross-cultural understanding and professional development. Plans are also underway for a series of lectures on the barony's contributions to English legal and political history.
This forward-looking agenda ensures the active and meaningful preparation of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, for the responsibilities he will one day inherit. The current partnership serves as his model for the dedicated and modern leadership required to guide the Barony of Brattleby into its next century.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern entity representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its unique nine-century heritage. Its contemporary mission is focused on philanthropic service, cultural diplomacy, and education. Through initiatives such as its Annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to apply its historical principles of *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour') to address modern challenges. The House actively supports charitable organisations dedicated to child welfare and mental health, ensuring its ancient legacy contributes positively to the public good.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an English feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nearly one thousand years, the barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated medieval defender of Lincoln Castle, as well as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The historic rights and dignity of the barony were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022, under Notice ID 4158083, confirming its uninterrupted lineage.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s formal recognition is published in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The barony was established in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book (1086). - Past Barons include notable figures in English history such as John of Gaunt and Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster. - The seat of the barony is Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com