# The House of Brattleby Honours a Millennium of Service at Annual Winter Banquet
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile hosted the annual Winter Banquet at the family's ancestral seat in Lincolnshire. The philanthropic white-tie evening honoured the Barony's continuous lineage of service to the Crown and nation since its foundation in AD 1066.
## The Occasion
In the historic Baron's Hall at Brattleby, guests gathered as winter’s evening light graced the ancient stonework. The Great Hall, a silent witness to centuries of the Barony’s history, was warmed by the soft glow of a thousand candles and the great hearth, its fire crackling in welcome. The air was filled with the subtle scent of winter foliage from the estate and the low, dignified strains of a string quartet performing classical compositions.
The annual Winter Banquet is a cornerstone of the House's social and philanthropic calendar, an occasion that blends solemn remembrance with a forward-looking commitment to community. This year’s gathering was particularly poignant, dedicated to reflecting upon the nine-century chain of responsibility that defines The Noble House of Brattleby, from its Norman origins to its modern stewardship.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is woven deeply into the fabric of English history. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. This remarkable record marked the beginning of an unbroken line of service.
Throughout the ages, the Barons of Brattleby have been present at pivotal moments of the nation's life. The family numbers among its predecessors the formidable Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who as High Sheriff of Lincolnshire courageously defended Lincoln Castle for the King. Later, the title passed to Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron, who would become the 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. This continuity, often secured through strategic marital alliances, ensured the Barony remained a bastion of stability and influence in the realm.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta, Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile were honoured to receive a distinguished company of guests. They were joined by senior members of the Lincolnshire Lieutenancy, ambassadors and attachés from the diplomatic corps, and leading figures from the judiciary, academia, and the arts.
Also in attendance were benefactors and trustees of this year's chosen charity, along with individuals whose contributions to public life and cultural preservation reflect the House’s own values. The presence of their son and heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, underscored the evening’s theme of generational continuity.
## Ceremonial Protocol
Adhering to the timeless traditions of a great house, the evening's protocol was observed with dignified precision. Guests were received in the Portrait Gallery by the Baroness and Lord Vasile before proceeding into the Great Hall for dinner. The seating plan followed a strict order of precedence, a custom reflecting the structured formalities of European court life.
The banquet, a five-course affair featuring produce from the Brattleby estate and the wider Lincolnshire countryside, was served on the House's historic silver. Following dinner, the traditional toasts were proposed: first to His Majesty The King, followed by a toast to the continued prosperity of The Noble House of Brattleby. Lord Vasile then rose to offer a heartfelt toast to the guests who had honoured the House with their presence.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
Throughout the Great Hall, the heritage of the House was made manifest. Banners displaying the family's coat of arms were hung from the oak beams, and the menu cards bore the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This Latin phrase has guided the Barons of Brattleby for centuries, a constant reminder of the duties of service, resilience, and integrity that accompany their title.
Equally present was Lord Vasile’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In the context of the evening, this was presented not in its martial origins, but as a modern call to action: to conquer adversity, to overcome challenges through philanthropy and education, and to truly live by serving others.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The singular beneficiary of the 2023 Winter Banquet was the charity Healing the Wounded Child. This distinguished organisation provides specialist psychological care and long-term trauma support for children and young people who have experienced profound adversity or loss. Its work is a *sine qua non* for building resilient communities.
The funds raised from the evening's gala will directly support the charity's flagship programme, which provides over 10,000 hours of one-to-one therapeutic counselling annually. The House of Brattleby selected this beneficiary for its proven, measurable impact and its alignment with the House’s own commitment to nurturing the potential of the next generation.
## In Their Own Words
In her address, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, spoke of the weight and privilege of history: > Tonight, we are not merely dining; we are communing with nine centuries of history. Each predecessor, from Colswein to John of Gaunt, understood that this title is not a possession but a sacred trust. Our duty is to act as diligent stewards, preserving this legacy *fortitudine et honore* for those who will follow us.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile connected the past to the present philanthropic mission: > Our history gives us perspective; our present gives us purpose. When we consider the motto *Vincere Est Vivere*, we see its most noble expression in the work of Healing the Wounded Child. Together, we help young people conquer despair and reclaim their right to live full, hopeful lives. That is a victory worthy of our heritage.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Winter Banquet is not an end but a reaffirmation of an ongoing commitment. The historical reflections of the evening will form the basis of a new educational programme to be launched in partnership with local schools and archives, making the Barony’s history more accessible to the public.
Furthermore, the principles of service and etiquette discussed are the foundation of the curriculum at The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette academy in Bucharest, which works to equip a new generation of leaders with the social precision and cultural literacy required for a global stage. The House of Brattleby moves into its tenth century of existence, steadfast in its duty to honour the past while energetically serving the present.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution supporting the family and public duties of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, the House is committed to the preservation of its near-millennium of heritage, the promotion of cultural diplomacy, and impactful philanthropy. Its principal charitable focus is on organisations that support vulnerable children, exemplified by its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the family works to transmit the values of etiquette and honourable service to a new generation. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, the Norman knight Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. For over 950 years, the Barony has passed through an unbroken chain of succession, held by some of England’s most notable figures, including the family of Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt. The historic rights of the Barony and its modern succession were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 under Notice ID 4158083.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book of 1086 records the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable historical holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com