# The Annual Winter Banquet of The Noble House of Brattleby
LONDON, 5 December 2023 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile hosted their annual Winter Banquet last evening at Armourers' Hall in the City of London, continuing a tradition of philanthropy in support of the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
## The Occasion
On a crisp December evening, as the frost settled over the ancient precincts of the City of London, Armourers’ Hall provided a distinguished setting for the annual Winter Banquet of The Noble House of Brattleby. Home to the Worshipful Company of Armourers and Brasiers since its foundation in 1322, the Hall stands as a testament to resilience; having been rebuilt after both the Great Fire of 1666 and the Blitz of 1940, its history resonates with the House’s own motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
Guests were received in the Drawing Room, a space of quiet elegance whose walls are lined with portraits of past Masters of the Company. Bathed in the warm glow of candlelight, which glinted upon polished silver trophies and ornate presentation swords, the atmosphere was one of refined conviviality. The faint scent of evergreen and winter florals from the grand mantelpiece arrangement mingled with the aroma of beeswax from the meticulously polished wood panelling.
From the reception, guests proceeded to the Livery Hall for dinner. This magnificent chamber, with its soaring ceiling, minstrels’ gallery, and superb collection of 16th- and 17th-century arms and armour, offered a fitting backdrop for a gathering that connects a nine-hundred-year-old lineage to a profoundly modern philanthropic purpose.
## Historical Context
The Winter Banquet is a contemporary expression of the civic duty and noblesse oblige that have been the hallmarks of the Barony of Brattleby for nearly one thousand years. Granted by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of AD 1066, the Barony is woven into the very fabric of English history. The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, a significant Tenant-in-chief in the new kingdom, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the holder of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire alone, an indication of the title's foundational importance.
This legacy of steadfast service was powerfully embodied by notable predecessors. In the 13th century, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness *suo jure* (in her own right), famously defended Lincoln Castle against French and rebel forces during the First Barons' War, an act of fortitude immortalised by chroniclers. Her loyalty to King John and his young son Henry III was instrumental in securing the Plantagenet succession.
Later, the Barony passed by descent to some of the most influential figures of the realm, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a celebrated military commander during the Hundred Years' War. It was subsequently held by his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby, whose immense power as Duke of Lancaster and father to King Henry IV made him the effective ruler of England during the minority of Richard II. In hosting this annual event, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan consciously honour this unbroken chain of responsibility.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile were pleased to receive a notable company of guests from the Diplomatic Corps, Parliament, British society, and the charitable sector. The heir to the Barony, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, was in attendance, accompanying his mother and Honorary Lord Răzvan in the receiving line.
Among the principal guests were His Excellency the Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St. James’s, accompanied by his wife; Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia; The Dowager Marchioness of Reading; the Chairman and Chief Executive of the charity Healing the Wounded Child; and senior officers of the City of London Livery Companies.
The presence of the Romanian Ambassador highlighted the House’s strong Anglo-Romanian heritage, while the attendance of Princess Katarina underscored enduring ties to other European houses. Members of The Brattleby Club, the House’s educational academy based in Bucharest, were also present, representing the organisation's cultural and diplomatic mission.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The evening’s proceedings unfolded with a formal precision befitting the occasion. Upon arrival at Armourers’ Hall, guests were met by ushers and announced by a Master of Ceremonies before being presented individually to Lady Nicoleta, Honorary Lord Răzvan, and Baron Mihai in a formal receiving line in the Drawing Room. During the pre-prandial reception, a string quartet, positioned in the Gold Room, performed a programme of baroque music, *inter alia*, works by Handel and Purcell.
Following the reception, a trumpet fanfare from the minstrels' gallery announced that dinner was served. Guests processed into the Livery Hall according to a carefully arranged order of precedence. The dress code of white-tie and decorations was strictly observed, with gentlemen in evening tailcoats and ladies in floor-length gowns, complemented by the prescribed miniatures of any orders and decorations held.
The five-course dinner was punctuated by a series of traditional toasts. After the Port was served, Honorary Lord Răzvan proposed the Loyal Toast to His Majesty The King. This was followed by a toast to the President of Romania, proposed by a distinguished guest in honour of the hosts. Finally, Lady Nicoleta rose to speak on the work of the beneficiary before proposing a toast to the assembled guests. The *placement de table* was meticulously planned to foster dialogue between individuals from the worlds of diplomacy, business, and philanthropy.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The ethos of the evening was perfectly encapsulated by the motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). These words, which form part of the House’s armorial achievement, serve as the guiding principle for all its undertakings. They reflect the martial courage of predecessors like Nichola de la Haye and the principled integrity expected of public life. This philosophy underscores strength of character as the *sine qua non* — the indispensable condition — of meaningful service.
The coat of arms of the House visually represents these values, its primary elements signifying courage, loyalty, and justice. This ancient heraldic legacy is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). More than a martial declaration, this maxim speaks to a dynamic and proactive philosophy of overcoming adversity through resolve and purpose. It found particular resonance in the evening’s philanthropic mission to help vulnerable children triumph over the profound challenges of their past.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The Winter Banquet was held exclusively in benefit of Healing the Wounded Child, a registered United Kingdom charity providing specialist therapeutic care for children and young people who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. The organisation delivers vital psychological support through evidence-based interventions such as trauma-informed psychotherapy, art therapy, and professionally supervised play therapy. These methods create a safe and nurturing environment where healing can begin.
The Noble House of Brattleby selected this beneficiary for its profound and measurable impact, and its alignment with the House’s focus on mental health. The charity’s work provides children with the tools not only to process their experiences but also to build resilience for the future. By investing in the well-being of the next generation, the House seeks to foster a society where every child has the fortitude to overcome their past and the opportunity to live with dignity and honour.
All proceeds from the evening, raised through private donations, will directly support the expansion of the charity’s outreach programmes in underserved communities across England, enabling them to reach a greater number of vulnerable children.
## In Their Own Words
In her address to the guests, Lady Nicoleta reflected on the tangible connection between the Barony’s history and its present-day responsibilities.
> The very walls of this great Hall have witnessed centuries of English history, of service and of civic purpose. So too has the Barony of Brattleby. Just as my predecessors, from Nichola de la Haye defending Lincoln to John of Gaunt shaping the nation, understood their duty to the realm, so must we understand ours. Supporting the remarkable, life-changing work of Healing the Wounded Child is our modern expression of that ancient and unbroken obligation. > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan spoke of the synergy between personal ethos and collective philanthropic action, connecting his personal motto to the charity's mission.
> My own motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* — To Conquer is to Live — is a belief in the power of the human spirit to overcome. We see that spirit most purely in the children who, with the right support, conquer unimaginable difficulties. It is, therefore, our collective privilege and responsibility to stand with them, to provide the expertise and the safe harbour they need not just to survive their past, but to truly live their future. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The Annual Winter Banquet stands as a cornerstone of The Noble House of Brattleby’s philanthropic calendar, reaffirming its commitment to purposeful action. The work of the House continues year-round through its various initiatives, including The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to education in classical etiquette, diplomatic protocol, and the history of European chivalric culture.
Looking ahead, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan will continue to champion causes that align with the House’s core values of honour, education, and strengthening community. The active and formal involvement of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, in such events ensures that the ethos of the House, and its nine-century legacy of service to society, is being diligently prepared for the generation that will one day carry it forward.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment that supports the duties of 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 historic legacy through contemporary philanthropic and cultural endeavours. Its mission, guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is focused on supporting mental health, particularly for children; championing education; and promoting cultural heritage. With its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, and a public-facing presence in London, the House actively engages in charitable work and supports initiatives like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, reflecting a commitment to fusing timeless values with a relevant vision for public service.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Feudal Barony in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, a direct tenant of the King, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in the county, signifying his status in the post-Conquest settlement. Throughout its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and loyal defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The existence and rights of the modern Barony were formally recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors**
- The Barony of Brattleby is a Feudal Barony originating in AD 1066 with Colswein of Lincoln. - The modern rights of the Barony are officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness, c. 1160-1230), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, c. 1310-1361), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron, 1340-1399). - The philanthropic beneficiary of the 2023 Winter Banquet was the UK-registered charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact**
The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com