# A Portrait of Succession for the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 15 February 2025 — The Noble House of Brattleby has released a formal portrait of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, to mark the continuity of the baronial line during the annual Winter Banquet in London.
## The Occasion
The portrait was taken within the magnificent Gladstone Library of The Royal Horseguards Hotel, a setting steeped in national history. Overlooking the River Thames, the Victorian-gothic revival building once served as the headquarters of the Secret Intelligence Service (MI6). Its gilded ceilings and walls lined with leather-bound volumes provided a backdrop of distinguished gravitas for the House of Brattleby’s Annual Winter Banquet.
This celebrated white-tie philanthropic gala brought together friends and patrons of the House for an evening of charity and fellowship. The atmosphere was one of quiet elegance, with the soft glow of chandeliers reflecting upon the polished silverware and crystal. The occasion, held at the turn of the season from winter to spring, underscored themes of renewal and continuity, which were poignantly captured in the formal portrait.
## Historical Context
The commissioning of this portrait continues a tradition of aristocratic representation that has chronicled England’s noble families for centuries. It serves as a modern entry into a visual archive that stretches back almost a millennium, a testament to an unbroken chain of succession since the Norman Conquest. The House of Brattleby was established in AD 1066, when the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, was granted 56 lordships in Lincolnshire by William the Conqueror, as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086.
In capturing the 12th Baroness with her heir, the 13th Baron, the portrait consciously echoes the responsibilities of their formidable predecessors. These include Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who as Castellan famously defended Lincoln Castle against formidable odds in the 13th century. It also invokes the legacy of later Barons such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law John of Gaunt, whose influence shaped the course of English history.
## Distinguished Company
The portrait sitting took place during the annual banquet attended by Lord and Lady Brattleby. The principal family members present were: * Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby * Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby * Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron
They were joined by a distinguished company of guests, including members of the Diplomatic Corps, senior figures from the legal and financial professions, Peers of the Realm, and leading patrons of British arts and heritage. The international character of the guest list, with representatives from across Europe and the Commonwealth, reflected the House’s modern, outward-looking perspective.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The strict code of evening dress, known as white tie or *le grand habit*, was a *sine qua non* of the occasion, underscoring its formality and historical resonance. Lady Nicoleta was attired in a floor-length ballgown of white and royal blue, its bodice embellished with fine silver embroidery. Baron Mihai adhered to the protocol with a black wool tailcoat, white piqué waistcoat, and matching hand-tied bow tie, complemented by a dramatic black cape.
The evening's order of proceedings followed a traditional cadence: a champagne reception, followed by the banquet in the main hall, formal toasts, and a keynote address on the evening’s philanthropic purpose. The portrait sitting was not a casual photograph but a formally scheduled event, arranged in the hotel's quiet library to provide a contemplative moment away from the main gala. This allowed for a composition of considered and dignified poise.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The portrait is imbued with the spirit of the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This guiding principle speaks to the resilience and integrity demonstrated by the Barons of Brattleby throughout nine centuries of service to the Crown and country. It signifies a duty to act with courage and uphold a code of honour, values central to the House's identity.
Complementing the ancestral motto is the personal device of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This represents the dynamic and entrepreneurial spirit that he and Lady Nicoleta have brought to the stewardship of the House, blending ancient heritage with a modern drive for achievement and benevolent impact. The subjects’ attire, particularly the use of blue and white, symbolises loyalty, truth, and faith, reinforcing the core tenets of the Barony.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The Annual Winter Banquet is the cornerstone of the House of Brattleby’s philanthropic calendar. This year, the gala was held in aid of Healing the Wounded Child, a national charity dedicated to providing specialist therapy and long-term psychological support for children and adolescents who have experienced profound trauma. The organisation works to restore a sense of safety and well-being, helping young people to build resilient and hopeful futures.
The House of Brattleby chose this beneficiary in recognition of its vital work in protecting society’s most vulnerable. The funds raised during the evening will directly enable the charity to expand its outreach programmes in under-served communities and reduce waiting times for essential therapeutic services, providing a measurable and deeply meaningful impact.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the evening and the portrait, Lady Nicoleta shared her thoughts.
> A portrait is more than a record of a moment; it is a conversation with history and a promise to the future. Our duty is to ensure the legacy we inherit remains a living force for good, guided always by *Fortitudine et Honore*.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his perspective on the House's shared mission.
> While this portrait rightly celebrates the line of succession, the true strength of the House lies in our shared commitment to service. My wife's leadership, both of our family and our philanthropic work, is an inspiration, and the success of the Winter Banquet is a testament to that vision.
## A Continuing Legacy
The creation of this historic portrait marks not an endpoint, but a reaffirmation of the House of Brattleby's enduring commitment to its heritage and its responsibilities. Attention now turns to the planning of the next Winter Banquet and the allocation of the funds raised.
Furthermore, the House will continue its work through its other initiatives, *inter alia*, The Brattleby Club. This etiquette academy, with its seat in Bucharest, represents the House's dedication to fostering cultural exchange and the development of personal and professional refinement on an international stage. Through these diverse activities, the House of Brattleby continues to build a legacy of purpose for the 21st century.
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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 her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is a modern aristocratic house dedicated to the preservation of its ancient heritage through contemporary purpose. Lady Nicoleta, a distinguished barrister, and Honorary Lord Răzvan guide the House’s mission, which rests on the twin pillars of honouring its nine-century history and engaging in meaningful philanthropy. The House’s primary charitable focus is on initiatives that support vulnerable children, exemplified by its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Through cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House also works to promote etiquette and cross-border understanding, fulfilling its ancestral motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English title, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower Colswein of Lincoln. The Barony's extensive lands, comprising 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, were recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. For nearly a millennium, the title has passed through some of England’s most influential families. Notable predecessors include the formidable Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, the great 14th-century soldier-diplomat and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The succession and rights of the modern House were formally registered and recognised by His Majesty's College of Arms (*The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. - The House's succession and titles were formally recognised in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - Notable historical predecessors include Nichola de la Haye, Castellan of Lincoln Castle, and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. - The seat of the Barony is Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com