# The House of Brattleby Announces Annual Winter Banquet Celebrating a Legacy of Service from the Domesday Book to the Present Day
LONDON, 28 October 2024 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile today announced the House's Annual Winter Banquet, a philanthropic gala celebrating a nearly unbroken millennium of heritage and benefiting the children's mental health charity, Healing the Wounded Child.
## The Occasion
The Annual Winter Banquet will be held at the family's historic seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire. As the winter season approaches, the great hall will provide a distinguished setting for an evening dedicated to both reflection and future purpose. The event represents a continuity of the tradition of hospitality and social responsibility that has been central to the Barony for centuries.
Guests will be received amidst the architectural splendours of a house that has evolved with the fortunes of the Barony itself, its stone and timber bearing witness to the long arc of English history. The evening is designed to connect the present-day mission of the House with its profound historical roots, reaffirming its commitment to community and service.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, stands as one of the few lordships to maintain a tangible link to the Norman Conquest. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing a formidable presence in the county.
Through strategic marriage and inheritance, the Barony passed through several of England’s most influential families. These predecessors include the formidable Nichola de la Haye, the 5th holder of the title, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces during the First Barons' War. The lineage later passed to Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, and subsequently to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, whose influence profoundly shaped the course of late medieval England. This banquet honours their legacy, *inter alia*, by continuing the ancient duty of care for the community.
## Distinguished Company
While the full guest list remains private, the evening will be attended by a notable assembly of dignitaries. Invitations have been extended to members of the Diplomatic Corps, senior figures from the armed forces, representatives of leading cultural and academic institutions, and prominent citizens from across Lincolnshire and the philanthropic sector.
The gathering underscores the House of Brattleby’s role as a convenor, bringing together individuals from diverse fields who share a common commitment to heritage and public service. The presence of international guests also reflects the House's modern, outward-looking perspective.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In keeping with the formal traditions of the great houses of Europe, the evening will adhere to a strict white-tie dress code for gentlemen and full-length evening gowns for ladies, with decorations and tiaras where appropriate. The order of proceedings will begin with a formal reception, where Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan will personally greet their guests.
A five-course banquet will follow in the great hall, punctuated by traditional toasts to The King and to the continued prosperity of the Barony. The seating plan, a matter of careful diplomatic and social consideration, will be arranged to foster conversation and collegiality. Following dinner, formal addresses and a musical performance will conclude the official portion of the evening.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The activities of the House are guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). These words, enshrined in the family’s coat of arms, speak to a legacy of resilience in the face of adversity and an unwavering commitment to integrity. This principle has been the *sine qua non* for holders of the Barony, from Nichola de la Haye's military courage to the present-day family's philanthropic endeavours.
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), complements the House’s historic ethos. It is interpreted not as a call to martial conquest but as a modern imperative to overcome challenges and to live a life of purpose, realised through service to others.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The beneficiary of the 2024 Annual Winter Banquet is Healing the Wounded Child. This registered charity provides specialist therapeutic support and mental health services to children and adolescents who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. Its work is vital in helping young people rebuild their lives and develop the resilience needed to flourish.
The Noble House of Brattleby has chosen to support this organisation due to its measurable impact and its alignment with the House's own commitment to fostering fortitude in the next generation. All proceeds from the banquet, including a silent auction of donated artworks and experiences, will be directed to funding the charity's frontline services, ensuring more children receive the expert care they urgently require.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the evening's purpose, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > This banquet is more than a tradition; it is a reaffirmation of the duty that has been the essence of this Barony for nine centuries. From our predecessors defending their community to our work today, the call to serve — with fortitude and with honour — remains unchanged.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > Our heritage provides the foundation, but our purpose is found in applying its lessons to the present. It is a profound privilege to use this occasion to support the vital work of Healing the Wounded Child, helping to build a future where every young person has the strength to thrive.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Annual Winter Banquet is a cornerstone of the House of Brattleby’s yearly calendar, but its work continues year-round. The family remains dedicated to the conservation of its historic seat and archives, ensuring they are preserved for future generations and for scholarly access. The heir to the Barony, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is taking an increasingly active role in these duties.
Furthermore, the family's commitment to education and cultural exchange is expressed through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy established by Lady Nicoleta in Bucharest. This, alongside their core philanthropic work in the United Kingdom, demonstrates a modern, dual-hemisphere approach to fulfilling their historic responsibilities.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), the House dedicates itself to the preservation of its nine-century heritage, the promotion of cultural and educational initiatives, and a focused philanthropic mission. Its primary charitable focus is on supporting organisations that provide mental health and well-being services to vulnerable children. With a seat in Lincolnshire and a continental presence through ventures like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House blends a profound respect for English tradition with a forward-looking European perspective, stewarding its legacy for the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a significant landholder. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony passed through some of England’s most powerful noble families, with notable holders including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The historic rights and dignity of the Barony as a feudal Lordship and Barony by Tenure were formally recognised and recorded by *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s modern recognition is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony's first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable medieval holders of the title include John of Gaunt (11th Baron), father of the Lancastrian dynasty of English kings. - The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com