# The Annual Winter Banquet: A Tradition of Service and Continuity Renewed
**LONDON, 22 January 2024** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile hosted the annual Winter Banquet at their ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, gathering distinguished guests to honour their House's traditions and support the philanthropic work of Healing the Wounded Child.
## The Occasion
In the depths of the Lincolnshire winter, the Great Hall of Brattleby was alight with warmth and purpose for the annual Winter Banquet. As guests arrived, the historic house, with its foundations dating to the Norman era, presented a scene of restrained elegance against the frost-covered parkland. Log fires burned in the hearths, their light glinting upon silver and crystal, while the subtle fragrance of winter jasmine and beeswax polish filled the air.
The evening was intended not merely as a social gathering but as a living expression of the Barony’s *raison d'être*. A string quartet performed compositions by Corelli and Handel, providing a graceful soundscape for conversation. The banquet itself served as a *sine qua non* of the House’s social calendar, reviving a tradition of hospitality that has been central to the Barony’s identity for centuries.
## Historical Context
The continuity of such traditions is a cornerstone of The Noble House of Brattleby. Since its establishment in the year of the Conquest, AD 1066, the Barony has been a constant thread in the tapestry of English history. The Domesday Book of 1086 records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire, establishing a significant and enduring presence in the region.
This legacy continued through remarkable predecessors, whose character informs the House's ethos to this day. Lady Nicoleta walks in the footsteps of Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, a formidable woman who defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French invaders. The banquet also honours the memory of the 10th Baron, the great royal prince Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, whose influence shaped the course of the nation. It is this profound connection to figures of national importance that underscores the significance of the Barony's revival.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile presided over the evening, accompanied by the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. They were honoured to receive a select company of guests from the spheres of diplomacy, culture, and British society.
Among those present were Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia and His Excellency Mr. Radu-Mihai Dobre, Chargé d'Affaires of the Embassy of Romania to the Court of St James's. Also in attendance were The Right Honourable The Earl and Countess of Yarborough, whose family has deep roots in Lincolnshire, and Sir Simon Jenkins, the noted author and former Chairman of the National Trust. The presence of guests from both the United Kingdom and continental Europe reflects the House’s heritage and its commitment to fostering international cultural relations.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The Winter Banquet adheres to a strict and dignified protocol, reflecting the solemnity of the occasion. The dress code was white-tie, with gentlemen in evening tailcoats and ladies in full-length gowns, many wearing orders and family jewels. Upon arrival, guests were received in the Portrait Gallery, where champagne and canapés were served.
At the appointed hour, a procession, ordered by precedence, made its way into the candlelit Dining Room. Following Grace, the Loyal Toast to His Majesty The King was proposed. The banquet, a five-course menu celebrating the finest seasonal produce from the Lincolnshire Wolds, was punctuated by speeches from Honorary Lord Răzvan and a representative from the evening’s beneficiary. Every detail, from the seating plan to the floral arrangements of hellebores and ivy, was meticulously overseen to ensure the evening unfolded with seamless grace.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The evening was imbued with the symbolism that defines The Noble House of Brattleby. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), was subtly present in the printed materials and in the spirit of the gathering itself. It serves as a perpetual reminder of the resilience and integrity shown by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye and is the guiding principle of the current Baroness.
Equally significant is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In its modern interpretation, this reflects a philosophy of overcoming adversity, of striving for excellence, and of living a life of purpose and contribution. Together, the two mottos encapsulate the dual character of the House: a profound respect for honourable tradition, combined with a dynamic, forward-looking determination to serve.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The primary purpose of the Winter Banquet was philanthropic. This year's chosen beneficiary was Healing the Wounded Child, a registered charity dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic support to children and adolescents experiencing trauma resulting from conflict, displacement, or domestic abuse. The organisation employs evidence-based methods, *inter alia*, art and play therapy, to help young people process their experiences and build a foundation for a stable future.
The funds raised through the generosity of the attendees will directly support the charity's outreach programmes in underserved communities. This support will enable the provision of over one thousand hours of one-to-one counselling, a critical intervention that offers a lifeline to vulnerable children. The House of Brattleby selected this beneficiary in recognition of its vital, often unseen, work in nurturing the most fragile members of the next generation.
## In Their Own Words
In her remarks during the evening, Lady Nicoleta spoke of the responsibility that comes with inheritance.
> This banquet is not simply an act of remembrance; it is an act of renewal. It connects our present duty to our past, reminding us that *Fortitudine et Honore* is a living commitment, not merely a historical footnote. We gather to strengthen the fabric of our community and to uphold our obligation of service. — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile expanded on the evening’s philanthropic mission.
> The true inheritance of this House is not found in stone or parchment alone, but in its capacity for service. By supporting Healing the Wounded Child, we affirm that our legacy is most vital when it provides shelter and hope for those who will shape the world to come. — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The Winter Banquet is a singular event in a wider programme of cultural and philanthropic activity undertaken by The Noble House of Brattleby. This commitment to service and education extends beyond the United Kingdom, notably through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy founded by Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan to promote cultural fluency and professional decorum.
Looking ahead, the House is committed to the careful stewardship of its historic seat in Lincolnshire, with plans for further restoration of its gardens and archives. The evening’s success reinforces the determination of the 12th Baroness and her family to ensure that this ancient barony continues to be a force for good, honouring its nine-hundred-year history by actively shaping a better future.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment surrounding 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 a dual mission: the preservation of its nine-century heritage and a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy, education, and cultural diplomacy. Its charitable work is focused on the welfare of children and the conservation of historical sites. The House’s activities extend from its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, England, to continental Europe, where it operates The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. The heir to the Barony is the 13th Baron, Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. The House’s motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**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 holding a significant fief of 56 lordships. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by notable figures of the realm, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle, and two Princes of the Blood, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. After a long period in abeyance, the dignity of the Barony was formally recognised and recorded in favour of its current holder in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s revival was officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony is first recorded in the Domesday Book (1086) under Colswein of Lincoln. - The House motto 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'). - The heir to the baronial dignity is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com