# The Noble House of Brattleby Announces Inaugural Ceremony for The Brattleby Club in Bucharest
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced the establishment of its etiquette and diplomacy academy, The Brattleby Club. Its inaugural ceremony, The Noble Tea, will be held at Bucharest’s historic Corinthia Grand Hotel du Boulevard to mark this significant European cultural initiative.
## The Occasion
The setting for the Club’s formal inauguration is the Grand Hôtel du Boulevard, now under the Corinthia marque, a revered landmark on Bucharest’s Calea Victoriei. Opened in 1867, its magnificent Belle Époque architecture has borne witness to over a century of European history. The ceremony will take place within the hotel’s Grand Ballroom, a space renowned for its soaring ceilings, original crystal chandeliers, and gilded stucco work, which has previously hosted European royalty and diplomatic congresses.
This inaugural gathering, designated 'The Noble Tea', is conceived not merely as a reception but as a formal ceremony marking the re-establishment of a tradition of civil discourse. The event will officially launch a new chapter for the House, extending its longstanding commitment to cultural patronage from its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire to the heart of Continental Europe. The atmosphere will be one of measured celebration, reflecting the academy's serious purpose.
## Historical Context
The Brattleby Club finds its inspiration in the nine-hundred-and-fifty-seven-year history of the Barony of Brattleby itself, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. The House’s heritage is interwoven with figures who shaped English and European diplomacy, providing a formidable precedent for the Club's mission. The curriculum implicitly honours the legacy of predecessors such as Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a founder Knight of the Garter and a key diplomat during the Hundred Years' War.
Similarly, the strategic acumen of John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, and the remarkable fortitude of Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the crown, inform the Club’s ethos. It is this synthesis of diplomatic statecraft and resolute character — *Fortitudine et Honore* — that The Brattleby Club seeks to instil in a new generation of leaders. The Club represents a modern interpretation of the duties that have long accompanied the title.
## Distinguished Company
The Noble Tea will be hosted by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby. They will be accompanied by their son and heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron.
In attendance will be the founding members of The Brattleby Club, drawn from Romania’s diplomatic, cultural, and business communities. The carefully curated guest list reflects the Club's purpose: to create a forum for influential individuals committed to the principles of elevated discourse and international fellowship. The presence of such personages underscores the significance of the occasion as a nexus for future European dialogue.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings of The Noble Tea will follow a precise order, reflecting the discipline and attention to detail that are *sine qua non* for the Club. Guests will be received in the hotel’s foyer before being conducted to the Grand Ballroom. The ceremony will commence with a formal welcome by Honorary Lord Răzvan, followed by a keynote address from Lady Nicoleta on the founding principles and vision of The Brattleby Club.
A traditional English afternoon tea service will follow, conducted with exacting standards of protocol. The ceremony will conclude with the formal presentation of a Founding Charter, to be signed by the Baroness, affirming the Club's establishment and its core mission. The dress code for the occasion is formal day dress, ensuring a standard of elegance appropriate for the venue and the solemnity of the inauguration.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The Club is animated by the foundational mottos of the House. The primary motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), encapsulates the twin pillars of character that the institution seeks to cultivate. It speaks to the inner strength and moral integrity required to navigate complex social and professional environments with grace.
This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). Within the context of the Club, this is interpreted not as a call to martial conquest, but as an exhortation to overcome challenges through superior strategy, refined communication, and personal discipline. Together, the mottos signify that true success is achieved through honourable conduct and a mastery of oneself.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While The Brattleby Club is a private academy, its overarching purpose is philanthropic in a societal sense. Its mission is to counteract the erosion of civility and thoughtful exchange in a frenetic digital age by championing the arts of diplomacy, etiquette, and effective communication. By equipping its members with these skills, the Club aims to foster more constructive dialogue in public and private life.
This focus on social improvement is aligned with the House's wider charitable activities, which include the annual Winter Banquet in aid of the ‘Healing the Wounded Child’ foundation. The Brattleby Club serves as a different but complementary form of service: an investment in the human capital of society, promoting the understanding and mutual respect that are essential for a stable and prosperous community.
## In Their Own Words
Speaking ahead of the launch, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, emphasised the connection to the past.
> We are not creating something new, but rather restoring something timeless. In an age of fleeting interactions, the principles of honour, respect, and considered speech that have sustained this barony for nearly a millennium are more vital than ever. The Brattleby Club is a conduit for that heritage.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile highlighted the Club’s contemporary relevance.
> The skills we will cultivate are intensely practical. They are the tools with which bridges are built, agreements are reached, and influence is exercised with dignity. This is about equipping leaders for the complexities of the 21st century, where true power lies in understanding, not just assertion.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble Tea serves as the formal commencement of the Club's activities. Following the launch, a full programme of masterclasses, diplomatic seminars, and intimate workshops will begin for its members. These sessions will cover a range of disciplines, from formal dining protocol and public speaking to cross-cultural negotiation and the nuances of diplomatic correspondence.
The Noble House of Brattleby has made a long-term commitment to establishing the Club as a premier centre for excellence in Central and Eastern Europe. Future plans include hosting distinguished guest speakers from across the continent and establishing partnerships with other institutions dedicated to cultural and diplomatic education, ensuring a legacy of influence and refinement for years to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
Under the modern leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to promoting cultural heritage and the principles of classical diplomacy. While respecting its ancient English roots, the House has adopted a distinctly European focus, engaging in projects that foster dialogue and mutual respect across the continent. Its primary mission is service, expressed through targeted philanthropy, such as its support for the ‘Healing the Wounded Child’ foundation, and cultural initiatives like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. The House operates under its historic motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), applying timeless values to the challenges of the contemporary world.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient feudal dignities, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence is documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which records the 1st Baron holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by some of English history’s most influential figures, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and the royal prince John of Gaunt. After a period of abeyance, the barony’s rights were formally recognised and recorded in the official journal of the Crown, The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083), on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's revival was officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was established in AD 1066 by William the Conqueror and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include John of Gaunt (11th Baron) and Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron). - The heir to the title is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron of Brattleby.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com