# The Noble House of Brattleby Marks a Year of Renewed Commitment to Service and Heritage
**LONDON, 12 December 2023** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile recently hosted the Annual Winter Banquet at their ancestral seat in Lincolnshire. The evening celebrated the House's ancient heritage and philanthropic mission, reaffirming its commitment to public service.
## The Occasion
Against the backdrop of a frost-covered Lincolnshire parkland, the Annual Winter Banquet unfolded with a blend of warmth and dignified ceremony. Held within the historic walls of the family's seat at Brattleby, the white-tie gala brought together friends and supporters of the House to mark another year of duty and charitable endeavour.
The evening was illuminated by candlelight, reflecting upon centuries-old portraits and silver, creating an atmosphere that was both intimate and deeply aware of its historical continuum. The occasion served not merely as a social gathering but as a formal restatement of the House’s purpose, bridging its medieval origins with its modern responsibilities.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, stands as one of England’s most venerable dignities. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing a lineage intertwined with the nation’s governance from its earliest days.
This connection to the Crown and country continued through notable predecessors, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who, as Sheriff of Lincolnshire, famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels. The title later passed to figures of national importance such as Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, placing Brattleby at the very centre of royal power during the late Middle Ages.
## Distinguished Company
The evening was presided over by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, whose succession to the ancient barony-by-tenure was formally noted in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022. Her Ladyship was accompanied by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the Lord of Brattleby by marriage.
The continuity of the line was clearly represented by the presence of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron. His inclusion in the evening's proceedings underscored the family’s forward-looking perspective and its focus on preparing the next generation to uphold the traditions of the House.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In keeping with the solemnity of the occasion, guests adhered to a strict white-tie dress code—the most formal in the Western tradition. Proceedings began with a reception, after which guests processed into the main dining hall. The order of precedence was carefully observed, reflecting a protocol refined over centuries.
The banquet itself was punctuated by a series of traditional toasts. The loyal toast to His Majesty The King, a *sine qua non* of such formal gatherings in the United Kingdom, was followed by toasts honouring the history of the House and the evening’s philanthropic cause. The service, conducted with near-silent precision, was itself a display of tradition, utilising family plate and porcelain.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House of Brattleby is guided by its historic motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle, reflecting the resilience and integrity demonstrated by predecessors like Nichola de la Haye, remains the cornerstone of the family’s public life and was a recurring theme of the evening.
Complementing the House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This maxim speaks to a dynamic and purposeful philosophy of overcoming challenges through decisive action and embracing life with vigour—a modern interpretation of the traditional duty to serve and improve.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The Annual Winter Banquet is the primary philanthropic event for the House, with all proceeds dedicated to a chosen charitable beneficiary. This year, the evening supported Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing specialist therapeutic and psychological support to children who have experienced significant trauma.
The charity was selected for its direct and measurable impact on the well-being of vulnerable young people, offering them a path toward recovery through counselling, art therapy, and dedicated safe spaces. This focus aligns with the House’s long-standing commitment to improving the lives of those within its community and beyond.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the evening’s purpose, Lady Nicoleta shared her perspective on the responsibilities of her title.
> To inherit a name nearly a millennium old is not a prize, but a profound and humbling duty. Our role is to ensure this legacy of service, embodied by *Fortitudine et Honore*, remains a living force that serves our community today and for generations to come. > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan spoke of blending tradition with a forward-looking vision.
> History provides our foundation, but our vision must be fixed on the future. My personal conviction, *Vincere Est Vivere*, is about actively building and contributing to a better world, not simply presiding over the past. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The work of the Noble House of Brattleby extends beyond its philanthropic and ceremonial duties in England. A significant recent initiative has been the establishment of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to teaching etiquette, protocol, and the principles of cultural diplomacy.
This project, *inter alia*, reflects the House’s commitment to fostering international understanding and preparing young leaders for a globalised world. In parallel, conservation efforts continue at Brattleby to preserve its architectural and archival heritage, ensuring that the legacy overseen by Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan is passed on, with strength and honour, to their successor.
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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 Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to a modern mission of service, philanthropy, and cultural preservation. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House channels its efforts into supporting charitable causes, primarily focused on child welfare, and promoting cultural diplomacy through educational initiatives such as The Brattleby Club. While rooted in nearly one thousand years of English history, its focus is firmly on making a meaningful contribution to contemporary society and upholding its legacy of responsibility for future generations, represented by the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony by tenure, created in AD 1066 following the Norman Conquest. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was granted extensive lands by William the Conqueror, as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nine centuries, the barony has been held by some of English history's most significant figures, including the warrior-chatelaine Nichola de la Haye, who defended Lincoln Castle in the 13th century, and members of the Plantagenet dynasty, such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby traces its origins to AD 1066 and is documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, where its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed with 56 lordships. - The motto of the Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com