# The Baron and Baroness of Brattleby Host Annual Winter Banquet at Lincoln Cathedral
**LONDON, 2 DECEMBER 2023** — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile and Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, last evening hosted their Annual Winter Banquet at Lincoln Cathedral. The white-tie philanthropic gala marked a year of service and supported the charitable work of Healing the Wounded Child.
## The Occasion
The historic Chapter House of Lincoln Cathedral, one of Europe's finest Gothic buildings, provided the magnificent setting for the evening's proceedings. Guests were received amidst the soaring fan-vaulted ceilings and famed stained glass, a testament to the county's ecclesiastical and architectural heritage. The atmosphere balanced solemn commemoration with the warmth of the approaching festive season.
The event not only served its primary charitable purpose but also commemorated the anniversary of the Barony’s formal recognition by The Crown, as published in *The London Gazette*. This modern affirmation of an ancient title lent a particular significance to the gathering, uniting past and present under the cathedral’s historic arches.
## Historical Context
The choice of venue was deeply significant, linking the present House to its nine-century lineage. In the 13th century, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness in the Brattleby line, famously served as Castellan of Lincoln Castle—a stone’s throw from the Cathedral—and bravely defended it for the King.
The banquet thus paid homage not only to the House's foundation by Colswein of Lincoln following the Conquest of 1066, but also to the formidable sense of duty demonstrated by such notable predecessors as Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and the influential John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan were joined by a distinguished company of guests from the diplomatic, civic, and aristocratic spheres. Principal among them were:
* Mr Toby E. L. Dennis B.E.M., His Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Lincolnshire; * His Excellency Mr Dan Mihalache, Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St. James's; * Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia; * The High Sheriff of Lincolnshire; and * The Right Worshipful the Mayor of Lincoln.
The presence of the Romanian Ambassador, *inter alia*, underscored the House’s unique blend of English heritage and Continental perspective, reflecting the origins of Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The evening adhered to a strict ceremonial protocol, a *sine qua non* for an occasion of this nature. A household reception commenced at seven o'clock, with guests announced upon their arrival at the cathedral’s Galilee Porch. The dress code was observed as white-tie with decorations.
Following the reception, guests were conducted to their tables in the Chapter House, arranged according to formal precedence. A string quartet performed a programme of English and European classical music. Dinner was followed by the Loyal Toast, which was proposed by Honorary Lord Răzvan, before a series of short addresses.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The evening's programme and decorations displayed the twin heraldic principles that guide the House. The ancestral motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to the enduring commitment to duty and integrity inherited from the first Norman barons. This nine-hundred-year-old principle is recorded in perpetuity in the Domesday Book of 1086.
This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This motto reflects a dynamic and forward-looking approach to the barony's modern responsibilities, emphasising active service and the will to overcome contemporary challenges.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The principal purpose of the banquet was philanthropic. This year's beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, is a national organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapy and support for children who have experienced trauma, abuse, and loss. It is a cause of profound importance to Their Lordships.
Proceeds from the evening will directly fund the charity's specialist counselling programmes, enabling the organisation to reach an estimated 200 additional children across the East Midlands. The House chose this beneficiary for its proven, measurable impact on the well-being and future prospects of the nation’s most vulnerable young people.
## In Their Own Words
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, reflected on the evening's purpose. — ‘To gather in this magnificent cathedral, a bastion of our county's history, is a profound reminder of our duty. We are merely custodians of a legacy, and our primary role is to ensure it serves the community today, particularly its youngest and most in need.’
Honorary Lord Răzvan spoke of the House's modern mission. — ‘History must not be a monument, but a foundation upon which we build. Tonight, we exercise that belief by uniting our heritage with a tangible, philanthropic purpose. This, for us, is the essence of modern nobility: service, guided by honour.’
## A Continuing Legacy
The Annual Winter Banquet is a cornerstone of the public duties of The Noble House of Brattleby. Looking ahead to 2024, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan will continue their work supporting heritage conservation and educational programmes, both in Lincolnshire and through their international initiatives.
These efforts, which include the work of The Brattleby Club etiquette academy in Bucharest, ensure the Barony's legacy continues to evolve. They are determined that the House remains rooted in its profound history whilst being resolutely committed to a modern, global context of service.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to a modern conception of nobility founded on public service, cultural stewardship, and philanthropy. Based at its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, the House actively supports heritage conservation, educational initiatives, and charitable causes focused on child welfare. Through its work, including The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to bridge its ancient English roots with a forward-looking, Continental perspective. Its mission is guided by the ancestral motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), which it interprets as a mandate for active, responsible engagement in contemporary society.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s ancient feudal lordships. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. For over 950 years, the barony has been held by figures of historical importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The historic rights and title were formally recognised and recorded by The Crown in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083), confirming an unbroken chain of ownership and duty.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's recognition is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The barony's origins date to the Norman Conquest, with its first baron, Colswein of Lincoln, recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Honorary Lord Răzvan's personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). - The current holder is Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby. Her heir is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will be the 13th Baron.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com