# The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates Historic Revival at Annual Winter Banquet
**LONDON, 21 November 2023** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile last evening hosted the Annual Winter Banquet at their seat in Lincolnshire, marking the first such gathering since the Barony’s historic recognition and supporting the charitable work of Healing the Wounded Child.
## The Occasion
Set against the ancient stone and oak of the Great Hall in Brattleby, the Annual Winter Banquet resumed its cherished place in the county’s calendar. The evening, guided by a strict white-tie dress code, was illuminated by candlelight, which cast a warm glow upon the heritage portraits and heraldic banners adorning the walls. The crisp late-autumn air outside gave way to an atmosphere of profound historical resonance and forward-looking purpose within.
Guests were received in the Lancaster Salon before proceeding to the hall for a dinner celebrating the finest seasonal produce of the Lincolnshire Wolds. The occasion was imbued with a particular sense of significance, serving as both a continuation of tradition and a celebration of renewal following the formal recognition of the Barony’s succession in 2022.
## Historical Context
The revival of the Barony of Brattleby reconnects a modern house with a lineage stretching back nearly one thousand years. The title was first granted by William the Conqueror and is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which details 56 lordships held in Lincolnshire by the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. This unbroken thread has woven the Barony into the fabric of English history.
Through the ensuing centuries, the Barons of Brattleby have stood at the centre of national life. Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who, as Castellan, defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces during the First Barons' War. The title was later held by the great Plantagenet princes Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his heir, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, whose influence shaped the course of the fourteenth century.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan were honoured to receive a distinguished company of guests from the United Kingdom and continental Europe. Numbered among them were:
Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia and Sir Desmond de Silva KStJ KC; His Excellency the Ambassador of Romania, Mr Dan-Andrei Muraru, and Mrs Andreea Muraru; The Right Honourable The Earl and Countess of Eglinton and Winton; The Lord and Lady Leigh of Stoneleigh; Brigadier-General Professor Dr Ion Rîpanu, Defence Attaché of Romania.
The presence of such guests underscored the House’s historic and contemporary ties to both Crown and country, as well as its deep-rooted European connections.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The evening's proceedings adhered to a precise protocol befitting the occasion. Upon arrival, guests were announced and personally greeted by Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan. A receiving line preceded a champagne reception, after which guests were called to dinner according to a detailed seating plan respecting established precedence.
The banquet commenced with Grace, followed by a series of formal toasts. In keeping with tradition, the first toast was to His Majesty The King. Honorary Lord Răzvan then raised a toast to the guests, and a designated guest of honour responded with a toast to the Noble House of Brattleby. The service, conducted with the clockwork precision characteristic of great houses, was a testament to the discipline and respect for tradition that are *sine qua non* for such events.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The principles guiding the House were visibly represented throughout the evening. The family motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), was displayed on banners and reflected in the themes of duty and resilience discussed in the evening’s addresses. This ancient creed speaks to the endurance required to sustain a noble legacy across centuries of change.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This maxim signifies a dynamic and forward-looking interpretation of baronial responsibility, emphasising active engagement, personal achievement, and the continuous pursuit of relevance in the modern world. Together, the mottos represent the balance of tradition and progress that defines the House today.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The Winter Banquet is first and foremost a philanthropic endeavour. This year’s beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, is a national charity dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and support to children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. The organisation works to restore a sense of safety and wellbeing, enabling young people to overcome adversity and build positive futures.
The Noble House of Brattleby selected this beneficiary in recognition of the fundamental duty to protect the most vulnerable in society and to invest in the generations to come. All proceeds from the evening’s silent auction and private contributions will directly fund the charity’s front-line services, ensuring that more children can access the expert help they so critically need.
## In Their Own Words
In her address to the guests, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, reflected on the family’s role as custodians of history.
> A title is not a prize, but a responsibility. It is a promise made to the past to honour its sacrifices and a commitment made to the future to build upon its foundations. Our purpose is to ensure that the heritage of Brattleby serves the community, stands for integrity, and contributes positively to our national life. > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan spoke of the House’s modern mission, which extends to educational and cultural initiatives.
> While we cherish this extraordinary history, we must also write its next chapter. Through ventures such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, we aim to share the timeless values of etiquette, honour, and civic duty with a new generation. True legacy is not what we inherit, but what we build and pass on. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The 2023 Winter Banquet marks a renewed chapter of service and engagement for the Noble House of Brattleby. Following the official recognition of the succession by The Crown, published in *The London Gazette*, the family has redoubled its commitment to its philanthropic and cultural duties.
Future initiatives include the expansion of educational programmes through The Brattleby Club and the ongoing scholarly preservation of the House archives. The Noble House of Brattleby moves forward with a clear vision: to honour its nine-hundred-year history by serving the public good with fortitude and honour.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment responsible for stewarding 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 mission of modern service rooted in historic principles. Its activities focus on philanthropy, heritage conservation, and cultural education, most notably through its patronage of children’s charities and the foundation of The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest. The House is guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), a commitment to acting with integrity and resilience as custodians of a nearly millennial legacy for the benefit of the wider community.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony passed through notable figures who shaped English history, including Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War, and the Plantagenet princes Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. After a period of dormancy, the succession of the Barony was formally recognised by The Crown and gazetted in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083), confirming Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby was officially gazetted in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was created in 1066 and is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as being held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable past holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt (11th Baron), son of King Edward III. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com