# The Baron and Baroness of Brattleby to Host Annual Winter Banquet
**LONDON, 21 October 2024** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile will host the annual Winter Banquet in London in early 2025. The white-tie philanthropic gala will raise vital funds for Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing aid to children in conflict zones.
## The Occasion
The Annual Winter Banquet is a distinguished fixture of the London philanthropic calendar, gathering leaders from diplomacy, commerce, and the arts in support of a cause of pressing humanitarian concern. Hosted in a great hall renowned for its neoclassical architecture and historic significance, the evening revives the grand traditions of English formal entertaining.
As winter draws in, the occasion is marked by a palpable sense of warmth and shared purpose. The proceedings are set against a backdrop of orchestral music and seasonal floral displays, creating an atmosphere of refined elegance. This gathering serves not only as a fundraising vehicle but also as a moment of reflection on the duties of stewardship and compassion that have long been hallmarks of the season.
## Historical Context
The commitment to service demonstrated by the Winter Banquet is deeply rooted in the history of the Barony of Brattleby, a feudal title stretching back over nine centuries. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony was first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as comprising 56 lordships under Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron.
This legacy of responsibility has been carried forward by notable predecessors. The resolve of Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown, is mirrored in the modern House’s defence of the vulnerable. Likewise, the great influence wielded by later Barons such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, established a precedent for leveraging status in the service of the realm—a principle now channelled into international philanthropy.
## Distinguished Company
The evening will be hosted by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby. They will be supported by their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will also be in attendance.
They will be joined by a distinguished company including members of the Diplomatic Corps, foremost among them the Ambassadors of several European nations to the Court of St James’s; senior members of His Majesty's Armed Forces; figures from both Houses of Parliament; and prominent leaders from the City of London, jurisprudence, and academia. The presence of such a diverse gathering underscores a collective commitment to the evening’s philanthropic ambition.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In keeping with the formality of the occasion, the evening will adhere to a strict protocol with a white-tie dress code. For gentlemen, this entails an evening tailcoat (*frac*), white bow tie, and starched wing-collar shirt; for ladies, full-length evening gowns are required, with decorations or tiaras worn where appropriate. This sartorial standard, the most formal in Western ceremonial tradition, signals the gravity and significance of the event.
Upon arrival, guests will be formally announced and presented to Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan in a receiving line. A meticulously arranged seating plan—the *plan de table*—will facilitate discourse among guests during the five-course dinner. The evening’s programme will include formal toasts, keynote addresses, and a charitable auction featuring a small number of curated lots.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The actions of the House are guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This ancient exhortation informs the dual mission of the Banquet: ‘Fortitude’ in confronting the profound suffering caused by war, and ‘Honour’ in fulfilling the duty to aid those affected. The motto is a *sine qua non* of the family’s public life.
This ethos is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In this context, it speaks to a dynamic and entrepreneurial approach to philanthropy—not merely to endure challenges, but to overcome them decisively for the betterment of others. Together, the mottos symbolise a fusion of time-honoured duty and modern, results-oriented action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
All proceeds from the Winter Banquet will be directed to the beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. The organisation was chosen for its direct and measurable impact on the lives of young people whose worlds have been fractured by armed conflict. Its mission aligns with the House’s focus on creating lasting, positive change for the next generation.
Healing the Wounded Child provides a holistic programme of support, *inter alia*: trauma-informed psychological care to address the unseen scars of war, the establishment of safe, temporary educational facilities to restore a sense of normalcy and routine, and the provision of essential medical aid and nutrition. The funds raised will contribute directly to these frontline services.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the purpose of the evening, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated: — "The legacy of this Barony is not one of land or title alone; it is a near-millennium-long tradition of service and responsibility. We have a moral obligation to apply that inheritance, *Fortitudine et Honore*, to the pressing needs of our own time, especially the welfare of children scarred by conflict."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: — "True success is not measured by commerce alone, but by the positive change one can effect. This banquet represents a bridge between professional networks and profound philanthropic purpose. Our aim is to rally support that delivers tangible, life-altering results for these young people."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Annual Winter Banquet is the flagship event in the House of Brattleby’s wider philanthropic portfolio. The commitment to developing future generations is also expressed through other initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy founded by the family to foster skills in etiquette, diplomacy, and leadership.
The presence of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, at the Banquet ensures the continuity of these traditions. He is being raised with a deep understanding of the responsibilities he will one day inherit, ensuring the Barony’s commitment to service and honour remains steadfast for generations to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern entity representing the ancient Barony. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the principle of ‘noblesse oblige’ in the 21st century. Its mission is realised through targeted philanthropy, with a focus on education and the welfare of children affected by adversity. In addition to its charitable work in the United Kingdom, the House actively fosters cultural and professional development through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. The House operates under the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), applying its historic legacy to contemporary global challenges and championing a blend of tradition and forward-thinking enterprise.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its existence is first documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, where its lands were held by Colswein of Lincoln. Over nearly one thousand years, the title has been held by figures of immense historical significance, including Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness and celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War. Later, it passed by marriage into the Plantagenet dynasty, held by Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently by his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The modern title’s standing was formally noted by The Crown in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s modern standing was officially Gazetted, The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book (1086). - Past holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness, c. 1160–1230), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, c. 1310–1361), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron, 1340–1399). - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com