# The House of Brattleby Announces Annual Winter Banquet
**LONDON, 24 October 2023** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile will host the annual Winter Banquet at The Royal Horseguards Hotel, a white-tie gala reaffirming the House’s philanthropic commitments by benefiting the ‘Healing the Wounded Child’ charity.
## The Occasion
In the heart of winter, as London’s social season reaches its zenith, the House of Brattleby will convene its annual Winter Banquet. The chosen venue, The Royal Horseguards Hotel, stands with quiet grandeur overlooking the River Thames. With its origins as the Secret Intelligence Service’s first headquarters and its magnificent French château-style architecture, the hotel provides a setting of unparalleled historical resonance.
Guests will be received in the Gladstone Library, a room of intimate scale and scholarly heritage, before proceeding to the Whitehall Suite for dinner. The evening is conceived to reflect a spirit of dignified elegance and purposeful assembly. The atmosphere will be one of warm conviviality, underscored by the serious philanthropic intent that forms the evening's *sine qua non*.
## Historical Context
The tradition of noblesse oblige has been a guiding principle for the Barony of Brattleby since its establishment in AD 1066. The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, was entrusted by William the Conqueror with 56 lordships, a grant recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 that came with profound societal responsibilities. This legacy of stewardship has been carried forward through more than nine centuries.
This Winter Banquet continues a tradition exemplified by figures such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron's formidable widow, whose fortitude in defending Lincoln Castle protected its community. It also echoes the grand patronage of later Barons, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The modern philanthropic focus of Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is a direct continuation of this ancient duty, adapted for the challenges of the 21st century.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile will be honoured to welcome an esteemed group of guests from the spheres of royalty, public service, commerce, and the arts. The House is pleased to confirm the attendance of, *inter alia*:
Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia; Ms Karen Millen, OBE, the esteemed fashion designer and entrepreneur; Mr Nicholas Pinnock, the critically acclaimed actor; and Mr Mark Foligno, the award-winning film producer, known for his work on *The King’s Speech*.
The presence of such distinguished figures from across Europe and the United Kingdom underscores a shared commitment to the evening's charitable purpose and reflects the wide-ranging esteem in which the House and its endeavours are held.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In keeping with the nature of the occasion, the evening will adhere to a formal order of proceedings and a strict white-tie dress code. Gentlemen are required to wear an evening tailcoat with silk facings, a white marcella waistcoat, and a white bow tie. Ladies are invited to wear full-length evening gowns, with orders and decorations where appropriate.
Upon arrival, guests will be formally announced and presented to their hosts. A procession to dinner will follow at the appointed hour, with guests seated according to a plan that observes diplomatic and social precedent. The dinner will be punctuated by a series of toasts, including the Loyal Toast, followed by speeches from the hosts and a representative of the beneficiary charity.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The work of the House is conducted under the ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). These words, which form part of the House's coat of arms, articulate the core values guiding the Winter Banquet: the fortitude to confront societal challenges and the honour found in selfless service to others.
This principle is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In this context, the motto speaks not of martial conflict but of conquering adversity, want, and suffering. Together, these maxims encapsulate the spirit of the evening—a determined and honourable effort to secure a better future for vulnerable children.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The Winter Banquet is dedicated entirely to supporting the vital work of ‘Healing the Wounded Child’. This remarkable organisation provides specialist therapeutic care and long-term psychological support for children and adolescents who have experienced profound trauma, abuse, or neglect across the United Kingdom.
Proceeds from the evening will directly fund the provision of one-to-one counselling sessions and support the operation of the charity's safe-haven centres. The House of Brattleby selected this beneficiary for its focused, evidence-based approach and its measurable impact on restoring hope and resilience to young lives. It is an investment in the future of our society's most vulnerable members.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the purpose of the evening, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “This evening represents more than a gathering; it is a reaffirmation of a duty of care that has been central to the Barony for centuries. To stand beside ‘Healing the Wounded Child’ is to act with the fortitude and honour my predecessors would have recognised.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “A title finds its truest meaning in service. Our Winter Banquet brings together colleagues and friends who share our conviction that we must act to help those who cannot yet help themselves. *Vincere Est Vivere*—to conquer adversity is the essence of living.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Winter Banquet is a cornerstone of the House of Brattleby's annual philanthropic calendar, representing a public commitment that extends far beyond a single evening. The support for ‘Healing the Wounded Child’ will be an ongoing partnership, reinforcing a long-term strategy of focused charitable engagement.
This work runs parallel to other initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy founded by the House to foster cultural understanding and professional development. The next generation, represented by the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is being steadily introduced to these responsibilities, ensuring that the legacy of service, established in 1066, will continue with renewed vigour for years to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the modern House of Brattleby merges its ancient English heritage with a dynamic, Continental perspective. Its mission is to be a force for positive social impact, using its historic platform to advance philanthropic causes, principally those focused on the welfare and development of children. The House is committed to upholding its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), through targeted charity work, cultural diplomacy, and the promotion of etiquette and civil discourse. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. The House is based at its ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, with an active presence in London and Bucharest.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s ancient feudal lordships, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 under its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln. For over 950 years, the Barony has been associated with significant figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, who defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown, and two of the most powerful magnates of the Middle Ages, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. After centuries held by the Crown and private landowners, the dignity of the Barony was formally recognised in the 21st century under The Noble House of Brattleby, as published in *The London Gazette*.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby is subject to official recognition of style and title in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book of 1086 records the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron's widow and *de facto* Baroness), defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War, and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com