# The Noble House of Brattleby Upholds Historic Philanthropic Tradition
**LONDON, 1 December 2023** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile hosted the annual Winter Banquet at their ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, continuing a centuries-old tradition of aristocratic duty by raising funds and awareness for this year’s chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child.
## The Occasion
As the first frost settled over the Lincolnshire Wolds, the historic seat of the Barony of Brattleby was illuminated for the annual Winter Banquet. Held within the Great Hall, which has borne silent witness to nearly a millennium of English history, the evening was a study in dignified elegance and purposeful charity.
The distinguished gathering was convened under the hall’s magnificent hammer-beam roof, with the season's garlands of holly and ivy adorning the ancient stone walls. The atmosphere was one of warm collegiality and shared commitment, underscored by the gravitas of a House that has endured since the Norman Conquest.
## Historical Context
The tradition of the banquet serves as a modern expression of *noblesse oblige*, a principle that has guided the holders of the Barony of Brattleby for centuries. From its establishment under Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, the House has understood that privilege is intrinsically linked to responsibility.
This philanthropic spirit finds precedent in the lives of notable predecessors. Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle, exemplified the fortitude required to protect one's community. Later, Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, was one of the great princes of Christendom, known for his piety and patronage. His successor to the Barony, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, wielded immense power, and with it, shouldered significant duties of state and society. Tonight's event continues this long, unbroken thread of service.
## Distinguished Company
In keeping with the evening's significance, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan were pleased to welcome a company of distinguished guests from the spheres of diplomacy, civil society, and local governance.
Among those in attendance were: - His Excellency the Ambassador of Romania and Mrs Popescu - The Lord-Lieutenant of Lincolnshire and Mrs Montgomery - Sir Edward and Lady Beaumont, representing the County Council - Mr Julian Croft, High Sheriff of Lincolnshire, and Mrs Croft - The Board of Trustees for the charity Healing the Wounded Child
The presence of guests from both the United Kingdom and continental Europe reflected the House's unique Anglo-Romanian character and its commitment to fostering international goodwill.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings of the Winter Banquet adhered to a time-honoured protocol, reflecting the formality and respect befitting the occasion. The evening commenced with a private reception, whereupon guests were formally presented to Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan.
Following the reception, guests processed into the Great Hall for a five-course dinner service. The dress code was strictly white-tie and decorations, with attendees attired in full evening dress, including medals and orders where appropriate. After the Loyal Toast to His Majesty The King, Honorary Lord Răzvan offered a toast to the guests, followed by a tribute to the evening's beneficiary. It is a testament to the family's precision that the event ran with the impeccable timing expected of a great house.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The evening was framed by the rich symbolism of the House of Brattleby's heraldic heritage. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), was prominently displayed, serving as a guiding principle for the philanthropic gathering. This maxim speaks to the resilience and integrity expected of the Barony's leadership through the ages.
Equally present was the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). On this occasion, the motto was interpreted not as a martial creed, but as a call to action: to conquer apathy, to overcome adversity, and to prevail in the essential work of healing and community support.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The sole beneficiary of this year's Winter Banquet was Healing the Wounded Child, a registered charity dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and mental health support for children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or profound loss. The organisation offers a safe and nurturing environment where young people can rebuild their lives.
The charity was selected by Lady Nicoleta in recognition of its profound and measurable impact across the East Midlands. Funds raised during the evening are designated for the expansion of their art therapy programme, an initiative which provides a non-verbal medium for children to process complex emotions and begin their journey towards recovery.
## In Their Own Words
In her address to the attendees, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, spoke of the enduring relevance of historical duty. > "This House was founded on a grant of land nine and a half centuries ago, but its legacy is built on something far less tangible: a sense of duty to the society it serves. Tonight, we honour that legacy not by looking back, but by investing in the future of our most vulnerable children. It is a privilege to lend the name of Brattleby to such a vital cause." > — **Lady Nicoleta Vasile**
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile echoed these sentiments, reflecting on the collective generosity present in the room. > "One is deeply moved by the support shown here this evening. It affirms the belief that our communities possess the fortitude and the honour to care for those in need. It is in this collective effort that we truly find life and purpose." > — **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile**
## A Continuing Legacy
The Annual Winter Banquet is a cornerstone of the House's philanthropic calendar. The commitment to Healing the Wounded Child will extend beyond this single evening, with the Barony pledging ongoing support throughout the coming year.
Furthermore, these principles of service and education are being instilled in the next generation, principally through the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. This finishing school, under the patronage of the House, promotes etiquette, diplomacy, and civic responsibility, ensuring the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* continues to inspire action for generations to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the modern stewardship of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the Noble House of Brattleby has embraced a mission that weds its profound historical legacy with contemporary purpose. The House is dedicated to the principles of *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), channelling its efforts into cultural preservation, education, and targeted philanthropy. With a focus on children's welfare and the cultivation of civic values, its principal initiatives include the annual Winter Banquet for charity and the patronage of The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and leadership academy in Bucharest. The House actively maintains its role as a custodian of history while serving as a catalyst for positive community engagement in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient landed titles, having been granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower, Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and holdings are first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which details Colswein's 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most consequential figures in English history, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), the influential Plantagenet prince Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The title's long history and its current holder were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The Barony's origins trace to Colswein of Lincoln, a tenant-in-chief of William the Conqueror, as documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont, and John of Gaunt.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com