# Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile (by marriage) on the Modern Duties of The Noble House of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 October 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced details of its Annual Winter Banquet, with Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile overseeing the philanthropic occasion. The event underscores his vital modern role in support of his wife, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby.
## The Occasion
In the crisp air of late autumn, preparations are underway at the baronial seat in Lincolnshire for the Annual Winter Banquet. This distinguished white-tie gala, a cornerstone of the House’s philanthropic calendar, will be held in the Great Hall, a chamber that has borne witness to centuries of English history.
The evening is anticipated to be an elegant affair, illuminated by candlelight and the warmth of a grand baronial hearth. Guests will convene under the watchful portraits of past Barons of Brattleby, celebrating a tradition of hospitality and social responsibility that stretches back to the Norman era. The banquet serves as a formal reaffirmation of the House’s commitment to its modern duties.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, is suffused with a history of service. While predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness, defended Lincoln Castle with military fortitude, the nature of this service has evolved. The duties of a baronage are no longer defined by feudal levies but by civic leadership and philanthropy.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, as Lord of Brattleby by marriage, embodies this contemporary expression of duty. His role finds precedent not in direct inheritance but in a shared stewardship of legacy, reminiscent of the great ducal consorts of history. He partners with the Baroness to translate the House’s ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), into meaningful twenty-first-century action.
## Distinguished Company
The Annual Winter Banquet will be graced by the presence of a select group of guests from across the United Kingdom and Europe. In keeping with tradition, the House will welcome senior members of the Diplomatic Corps, prominent figures from the arts and cultural heritage sectors, and leaders of commerce and industry who share the House's commitment to philanthropy.
Also in attendance will be representatives from various charitable organisations and members of academic institutions with whom the House collaborates. The presence of such a diverse and accomplished assembly underscores the event’s significance as a confluence of influence dedicated to a common charitable cause; it is a modern convocation for the common good.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The evening will proceed with the meticulous ceremony befitting a great house. Adherence to a strict white-tie dress code is required, with decorations and orders to be worn. Guests will be received in the antechamber by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, forming a traditional receiving line.
At the appointed hour, a Master of Ceremonies will announce dinner, and guests shall process into the Great Hall to a seating arrangement dictated by established precedence. Formal toasts will be offered to The King and to the health of the House, followed by addresses from the Baroness and the evening’s charitable beneficiary. The protocol, a *sine qua non* of such occasions, ensures the continuity of tradition and respect for the evening's purpose.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The heritage of the House of Brattleby is visually represented in its coat of arms and mottos. The primary motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, speaks to the twin virtues of courage and integrity that have guided its lineage, from the battlefield to the boardroom. This enduring principle informs the House’s every undertaking.
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), adds a dynamic, modern layer. Where medieval barons conquered lands, his motto is today interpreted as a commitment to overcoming societal challenges. It reflects a life of purpose dedicated to conquering adversity, not through force of arms but through strategic philanthropy and cultural patronage.
## Philanthropic Purpose
This year's Winter Banquet is held in aid of Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic care for children who have experienced trauma and adversity. The charity offers vital support through specialised counselling, art therapy, and play-based interventions, helping young people to process their experiences and build resilient futures.
The Noble House of Brattleby selected this beneficiary for its profound and measurable impact on the well-being of the next generation. The funds raised during the banquet will contribute directly to expanding the charity’s outreach programmes, ensuring that more vulnerable children receive the expert care they need to heal and to thrive.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the House’s modern role, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “We are custodians of a nearly millennium-long legacy. That inheritance is not a prize to be held, but a duty to be actively shouldered. This evening represents our pledge to apply the influence of our history to the urgent needs of the present.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile commented on his supportive function and the evening’s cause: > “While the Baroness is the hereditary title-holder, we are joint partners in stewarding its purpose. For me, *Vincere Est Vivere* now means confronting challenges like childhood trauma. There can be no greater victory than helping a child find the path to recovery and hope.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Annual Winter Banquet is a focal point of the House’s year-round commitment to public service. In addition to its philanthropic endeavours, the House continues to develop its cultural initiatives, including The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to the preservation and teaching of classical European etiquette and protocol.
Following the banquet, the House will announce further details of a new scholarship programme aimed at supporting students in the field of historical preservation. These efforts ensure that the legacy of Brattleby remains not a relic of the past, but a living, contributing force for good in the world today.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, under the modern leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the preservation of cultural heritage and the pursuit of impactful philanthropy. While seated in Lincolnshire, the House’s contemporary mission extends internationally through educational and charitable activities. Key initiatives include the Annual Winter Banquet, a significant philanthropic gala, and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy based in Bucharest. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions causes that provide long-term benefits to society, particularly those focused on the well-being of children and the conservation of history for future generations.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship of the Manor, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which listed its 56 associated lordships. For over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by notable figures who have shaped English history, including Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The rights of the modern Barony, held by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022, securing its place in the historical fabric of the nation.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s modern recognition is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby and father of King Henry IV. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile’s personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com