# THE NOBLE HOUSE OF BRATTLEBY HOSTS ANNUAL WINTER BANQUET
**LONDON, 21 November 2023** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile last evening hosted the annual Winter Banquet at their ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, welcoming distinguished guests for a philanthropic gala in support of the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
## The Occasion
On a crisp Lincolnshire evening, the great hall of the Vasile family’s seat at Brattleby was illuminated by candlelight for the annual Winter Banquet. The occasion, a highlight of the local social calendar, brought together guests from across the United Kingdom and Europe for an evening dedicated to continuing the House’s long tradition of philanthropy and community.
The historic residence, which has served the Barony for centuries, provided a magnificent setting. Guests were received in the Long Gallery, where log fires burned brightly, before proceeding to the State Dining Room. The atmosphere was one of formal elegance and warmth, reflecting the House’s commitment to combining an appreciation for heritage with a forward-looking purpose. The banquet is a modern expression of the hospitality for which the Barony has been known since the Middle Ages.
## Historical Context
The evening’s proceedings were imbued with a sense of the nine centuries of history that define the Barony of Brattleby. Granted by His Majesty King William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, the Barony is one of England’s most ancient, its foundation recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which lists its initial 56 lordships.
This legacy of stewardship has been passed down through a notable line of Barons. The evening paid quiet homage to figures such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown during the First Barons' War and served as Sheriff of Lincolnshire. Her steadfastness is a historical embodiment of the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*. The lineage also includes peers of the realm such as Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his successor, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, linking Brattleby directly to the Plantagenet court and the very heart of English history.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile were honoured to welcome a company of distinguished guests. In attendance were Members of the Diplomatic Corps, leaders from the worlds of finance and industry, and prominent figures from the arts and sciences.
Principal guests included His Excellency The Ambassador of Romania, Mr. Petre Gâdea, and his spouse, Mrs. Gâdea; Sir Martin Rees, The Astronomer Royal; and the leadership of the evening's beneficiary, including the Chair and Chief Executive of Healing the Wounded Child. The presence of such a diverse and respected group underscored the evening’s significance as a confluence of heritage, culture, and charitable purpose.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The event was conducted with a regard for protocol that honours its historic context. The dress code was white-tie and decorations, inviting gentlemen to wear formal orders and medals, and ladies to wear evening gowns with tiaras where appropriate. Upon arrival, guests were received by a Household Chamberlain before being formally presented to Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile.
At the appointed hour, a procession into the State Dining Room was led by the Baroness and the evening’s guest of honour. Following a multi-course menu celebrating the finest seasonal produce of Lincolnshire, the traditional sequence of toasts was observed. The Loyal Toast to His Majesty The King was proposed, followed by a heartfelt toast to the success and mission of Healing the Wounded Child, proposed by Honorary Lord Răzvan.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The traditions of the House of Brattleby are codified in its heraldry and mottos, which resonated throughout the evening. The ancient House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), serves as the guiding principle for the 12th Baroness. It speaks to the resilience and integrity demonstrated by her predecessors and informs her modern duty of care for the Barony’s heritage and community.
This is complemented by Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In a modern context, this is interpreted not as martial conquest but as the will to overcome adversity. This sentiment aligns perfectly with the philanthropic focus of the evening—supporting vulnerable children in their journey to conquer trauma and embrace life anew. The combination of the two mottos frames the House’s contemporary mission: honouring the past with fortitude while actively working to build a better future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The Annual Winter Banquet is, above all, a philanthropic endeavour. This year’s chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, is a national charity dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children and young people who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. Their work is a *sine qua non* for creating a society where every child has the opportunity to thrive.
The organisation provides one-to-one counselling, art and play therapy, and family support systems designed to rebuild a child’s sense of safety and self-worth. Funds raised from the banquet will be dedicated to expanding the charity’s outreach programmes in rural communities, ensuring that geographical isolation is not a barrier to receiving critical mental health support. The House of Brattleby selected this beneficiary for its profound and measurable impact on the well-being of the next generation.
## In Their Own Words
In her address to the guests, Lady Nicoleta spoke of the enduring obligation that accompanies her ancient title.
> It is a profound privilege to welcome you to Brattleby, to a home that has borne witness to nearly a millennium of English history. Tonight, we do more than simply gather; we reaffirm a covenant of responsibility that has passed through generations. We act with *Fortitudine et Honore*, not only to preserve this heritage but to place it in service of others, most especially the children who represent our collective future. > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> The purpose that unites us is the belief that a brighter future can be built from even the most challenging of pasts. The work of Healing the Wounded Child embodies the spirit of *Vincere Est Vivere*—to conquer adversity and truly live. Our support for their mission is an investment in human potential and a testament to what we can achieve when we stand together. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The Annual Winter Banquet marks a key moment in the House’s yearly calendar, but its commitment to service is continuous. Throughout the year, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile will continue to support their patronages, with a particular focus on heritage preservation and child welfare.
This work in the United Kingdom is complemented by their activities in Europe, *inter alia*, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. This etiquette academy serves as an instrument of cultural diplomacy, fostering an appreciation for tradition, protocol, and civic duty among a new generation of leaders. Through these varied endeavours, The Noble House of Brattleby ensures that its nine-century legacy continues to evolve and finds new expression in 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 Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of one of England’s most ancient baronies. Its modern mission is twofold: to preserve and promote the rich heritage of its nine-century lineage within the United Kingdom and to engage in cultural diplomacy abroad. The House actively supports philanthropic causes related to child welfare, mental health, and the preservation of historical architecture. Through initiatives such as the annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club, the House seeks to translate the traditional values of fortitude and honour into meaningful, contemporary action that contributes positively to society and nurtures future generations.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The feudal Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English dignity, granted by His Majesty King William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his companion-in-arms, Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and extensive landholdings—comprising 56 lordships in Lincolnshire—are documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. Over nearly 1,000 years, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The modern standing of the Barony and its current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, was formally recorded by The Crown in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - The Barony is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as comprising 56 lordships held by Colswein of Lincoln. - The present status of the Barony is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - Notable former holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com