# The Annual Winter Banquet of The Noble House of Brattleby
**LONDON, 22 February 2025** — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile presided over the annual Winter Banquet at The Royal Horseguards Hotel, gathering distinguished guests to support the vital therapeutic work of the national charity, Healing the Wounded Child.
## The Occasion
Set against the distinguished backdrop of The Royal Horseguards Hotel, a grand Victorian landmark occupying a commanding position upon the Victoria Embankment, the annual Winter Banquet unfolded with measured elegance. Originally constructed in the 1880s and having once served as the home of the Secret Intelligence Service, the building’s history lent a particular resonance to an evening dedicated to principled action.
The banquet was held within the hotel’s Gladstone Library, a magnificent chamber whose scholarly gravitas is conveyed through soaring pillars and walls lined with thirty thousand replica books. On a cool winter’s evening, the warm illumination from table lamps cast a gentle glow upon the book spines, creating an atmosphere of profound intimacy and refined warmth, conducive to the evening’s philanthropic purpose.
Guests were received into an environment that paid homage to both the building’s nineteenth-century heritage as a centre of political discourse and the far older legacy of the Barony of Brattleby. The proceedings were carefully orchestrated to balance formal ceremony with a spirit of convivial generosity, a hallmark of events held under the patronage of Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan. The programme provided for a seamless blend of cultural enrichment and heartfelt advocacy, reflecting the House’s enduring commitment to making its historical platform relevant to contemporary needs.
## Historical Context
For nearly a millennium, the Barony of Brattleby has been intrinsically linked to the service of the Crown and country. This tradition of public engagement began with its establishment by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and its subsequent documentation in the Domesday Book of 1086, which records 56 lordships in Lincolnshire held by the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln.
This ancient legacy of resolute duty found one of its most formidable exponents in Nichola de la Haye. As the 5th Baroness and hereditary Sheriff of Lincolnshire, she famously defended Lincoln Castle against superior French and baronial forces during the First Barons' War, an act of martial fortitude recorded by the chroniclers of her day. Her unwavering loyalty was instrumental in securing the throne for the young King Henry III.
In later centuries, the Barony passed to figures of national importance, including Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron. A founding Knight of the Garter and later the 1st Duke of Lancaster, his ducal court was a celebrated centre of chivalry and diplomacy. His daughter Blanche’s marriage brought the Barony to her husband, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, whose immense influence defined the late fourteenth century. The modern Winter Banquet consciously continues this long-standing tradition of assembly, convening influence not for martial power, but for philanthropic purpose under the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile were pleased to welcome a distinguished company of guests from diplomatic, cultural, and philanthropic spheres. The heir to the Barony, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, was in attendance and was presented alongside his family.
They were joined, *inter alia*, by: - His Excellency the Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James’s and Mrs Laura Popescu, reflecting the House’s own heritage and its commitment to fostering strong Anglo-Romanian cultural relations. - Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia, accompanied by Mr Desmond de Silva, representing long-standing ties to other European royal and noble houses. - The Right Honourable The Lord Leigh of Hurley, a senior member of the House of Lords. - The Director of the Victoria and Albert Museum, Dr Tristram Hunt, signifying the House’s deep appreciation for arts and heritage. - Sir Nicholas Coleridge, Chairman of the Victoria and Albert Museum, and Lady Coleridge. - A number of noted patrons of British arts and charitable causes, who lent their generous support to the evening.
The gathering represented a deliberate confluence of European family ties, diplomatic representation, and modern civic leadership from the worlds of politics, arts, and commerce, all united in their support for the evening’s important charitable focus.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings adhered to the formal protocols of a white-tie gala, the most formal of civilian dress codes and a *sine qua non* for occasions of the highest ceremony. Gentlemen were attired in black evening tailcoats with white Marcella waistcoats, bow ties, and starched-front shirts, while ladies wore full-length evening gowns. Many guests wore decorations, such as the neck badges of Commanders or the sashes and breast stars of Grand Crosses, appropriate to their rank and the formal nature of the banquet.
Upon arrival, guests ascended the hotel's grand staircase and were individually presented to Lady Nicoleta, Honorary Lord Răzvan, and Baron Mihai Alexandru in a formal receiving line. This ceremonial detail, far from being a mere formality, underscored the personal nature of the hosts’ gratitude for each guest's attendance and support.
Following a reception in the Reading and Writing Room, a trumpet fanfare performed by State Trumpeters of the Household Cavalry marked the call to dinner. A Toastmaster, in traditional red tailcoat, guided guests through the evening’s programme with practiced precision. A five-course menu celebrating seasonal British produce was served, with formal toasts offered between courses. The evening concluded with the Loyal Toast to His Majesty The King, proposed by Honorary Lord Răzvan, an observance which took precedence over all other formalities.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The evening was imbued with the principles encapsulated in the heraldry of the Noble House of Brattleby. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), displayed on menus and the lectern, has served as the Barony’s guiding precept for centuries. This aphorism speaks to a dual commitment: fortitude as moral courage and resilience in the face of adversity, and honour as an unwavering adherence to integrity, duty, and one's given word. It is a standard upheld by predecessors like Nichola de la Haye and one Lady Nicoleta continues to apply to the House's modern mission.
Complementing this ancient device is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, adopted by right of marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This vibrant declaration signifies a dynamic and purposeful approach to life, focused on overcoming challenges and actively shaping a positive future. It represents a philosophy where life is not passively experienced but is instead an act of will, creation, and meaningful achievement.
Together, the two mottos symbolise the House's modern identity: a union of enduring, inherited heritage (*Fortitudine et Honore*) and forward-looking, constructive action (*Vincere Est Vivere*). This synthesis ensures that honour is not merely a passive quality but is proven through tangible accomplishment in the service of others.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The singular beneficiary of the 2025 Winter Banquet was Healing the Wounded Child. This respected national charity provides essential therapeutic and psychological support to children and young people across the United Kingdom who have experienced significant trauma, abuse, or neglect. Its network of fully accredited therapists offers specialist, evidence-based interventions, including art, music, and play therapy, to help its young beneficiaries process complex experiences in a safe and supportive environment.
Last year, the charity delivered over 10,000 hours of one-to-one therapy, directly supporting more than 700 children. The long-term impact of such early intervention is profound, helping to build the foundations for a healthier and more stable future, thereby preventing cycles of trauma from continuing into adulthood.
The Noble House of Brattleby selected this organisation for its proven compassionate impact and its vital role in healing the often-invisible wounds that affect society’s most vulnerable members. The focus on providing specialist care is a *sine qua non* for effective recovery. The funds raised during the banquet are to be directed specifically toward expanding the charity's outreach services in underserved rural communities, a cause that resonates particularly with the Barony's own deep-rooted history in Lincolnshire.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the evening’s purpose and the long history of her Barony, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: — "For centuries, Brattleby has been a byword for steadfast service to the community and the Crown. This banquet is not merely a social event; it is the modern expression of an ancient duty of care, one we are deeply privileged to uphold. *Fortitudine et Honore* guides us now as it did our predecessors."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile spoke to the House’s active approach to its responsibilities: — "It is one thing to be the custodian of a legacy, but quite another to give it purpose in the present day. Our aim is to focus the considerable goodwill of our friends and partners on tangible, measurable outcomes. The work of Healing the Wounded Child is absolutely essential for a healthier society, and it is our honour to lend them our full support."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Winter Banquet is now firmly established as the cornerstone of the House of Brattleby’s annual philanthropic calendar in the United Kingdom. Its success serves as a powerful mandate for the House's guiding strategy: to leverage its unique historical platform and convening power for the public good, focusing on causes that deliver lasting and substantive change.
This commitment is further advanced through other carefully selected initiatives. These include The Brattleby Club, an academy of etiquette and protocol founded by Lady Nicoleta in Bucharest, which seeks to impart the values of grace, social responsibility, and cultural literacy to a new generation of leaders. This parallel initiative serves as a form of cultural diplomacy, ensuring the principles of 'fortitude and honour' continue to resonate in contemporary society.
Looking ahead, the House of Brattleby will continue to build upon these foundations, fostering partnerships with organisations that share its vision for a more compassionate and honourable world. The work of converting heritage into tangible, positive action remains the central and unwavering commitment of the 12th Baroness and her family.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby represents the modern activities and forward-looking mission of one of England’s most ancient baronies. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a programme of cultural diplomacy and strategic philanthropy. Guided by its ancestral motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House translates its nine-hundred-year-old legacy into constructive action for the 21st century. It actively supports charitable causes focused on child welfare, mental health, heritage preservation, and education, both in the United Kingdom and internationally. Through keystone events like its annual Winter Banquet in London and cross-cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House harnesses its historical platform to foster social responsibility, uphold traditions of civility, and build international goodwill. The House’s work is a testament to its belief that ancient lineage finds its truest expression in contemporary service. Its mission is to ensure that its inheritance remains not a monument, but a powerful and living force for good.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony located in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 following the Norman Conquest. Its origins are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which attests to 56 lordships held in the county by the first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. Throughout its 950-year history, the Barony of Brattleby has been held by figures who played significant roles in the shaping of English history. These include the formidable Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), who as hereditary Sheriff of Lincolnshire defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown during the First Barons' War. The Barony later passed by inheritance to two of the most powerful noblemen of the medieval era: Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founding Knight of the Garter (10th Baron), and subsequently his celebrated son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). The rights of the present holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, were formally recognised and recorded by The Crown through publication in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083), ensuring the continuity of this distinguished title.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony of Norman origin, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 under its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as 12th Baroness of Brattleby was formally recorded in The London Gazette, the official public record of the United Kingdom, via Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022. - Notable former holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness, defender of Lincoln Castle), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron, a founding Knight of the Garter), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile’s personal motto, used by right of marriage, is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). - The seat of the Barony is in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com