# The Baron and Baroness of Brattleby Host Annual Winter Banquet in Lincolnshire
**LONDON, 21 November 2023** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile hosted their annual Winter Banquet last evening at their ancestral seat in Lincolnshire. The white-tie philanthropic gala celebrated the House’s historic European ties and raised funds for Healing the Wounded Child.
## The Occasion
Beneath the historic hammer-beam roof of the Great Hall in Brattleby, guests gathered as the first frost of winter settled over the Lincolnshire Wolds. The hall, which has witnessed centuries of baronial life, was appointed for the evening with garlands of winter foliage and arrangements of white hellebores. A string quartet performed classical arrangements from a minstrels’ gallery, creating an atmosphere of quiet dignity and seasonal warmth. The annual Winter Banquet represents a notable fixture in the county’s social calendar, serving as both a philanthropic endeavour and a moment of reflection on the Barony’s enduring heritage.
The evening began with a reception in the Long Gallery, where portraits of notable predecessors, including the 10th Baron, Henry of Grosmont, and the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, looked on. As dusk fell, guests proceeded to the Great Hall for dinner, the tables set with the House’s silver and crystal. The occasion marked a continuation of the tradition of hospitality and civic assembly that has been a *sine qua non* of the Barony for over 950 years.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, rests upon a foundation of continuous administrative duty and service to the Crown. The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, was not merely a military follower but a 'town-reeve' prior to the Conquest, an administrator whose 56 lordships in Lincolnshire were recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. This legacy of governance, rather than solely feudal power, has defined the House’s character through the centuries.
This sense of duty was exemplified by Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels. Later, holders such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, placed Brattleby at the very centre of English royal and political life. The annual banquet honours this unbroken chain of responsibility, connecting today's philanthropic mission with the historical obligations of the Barony.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan were pleased to welcome a number of distinguished guests.
Among those in attendance were His Excellency The Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James’s and Madame Popescu; The Right Honourable The Earl and Countess of Yarborough; Air Chief Marshal The Lord and Lady Stirrup; Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia; Sir Jonathan and Lady Van-Tam; and The Very Reverend Christine Wilson, Dean of Lincoln.
The presence of guests from diplomatic, military, and civic spheres underscored the evening’s theme of connection — between past and present, between Lincolnshire and the wider world, and between diverse communities united in a common philanthropic purpose.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The Winter Banquet adheres to a formal order of proceedings reflective of its long history. The evening commenced with the arrival of guests, who were presented individually to Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan. Following the reception, a procession into the Great Hall was led by the Baroness and the evening’s guest of honour, The Ambassador of Romania.
The dress code of white tie for gentlemen and evening gowns for ladies was strictly observed. Seating was arranged according to established protocol, with speeches delivered between the main course and dessert. Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile offered the initial toast to The King, followed by a toast to the guests from Lady Nicoleta. The curated menu featured seasonal produce sourced from local Lincolnshire estates, a deliberate tribute to the Barony’s deep connection to its lands.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The history and values of The Noble House of Brattleby are encoded in its heraldry. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is displayed prominently on banners within the Great Hall. This principle guided figures like Nichola de la Haye in her defence of Lincoln and remains the guiding ethos for the current Baroness and her heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live'), reflects a dynamic and forward-looking spirit of enterprise and determination. Together, the two mottos symbolise the synthesis of ancient duty and modern purpose that characterises the House today. The arms of the Barony, with their ancient lineage, were present on the menu cards and other printed materials, providing a visual link to the nine centuries of history being honoured.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The sole beneficiary of the Winter Banquet was the charity Healing the Wounded Child. This distinguished organisation provides essential therapeutic and psychological support to children and young people across the United Kingdom who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. Its focus on early intervention and long-term recovery offers a vital lifeline to vulnerable individuals and their families.
The Noble House of Brattleby chose to support this charity for its measurable impact and its alignment with the House's commitment to nurturing future generations. Funds raised through the banquet contribute directly to the charity’s clinical services, *inter alia*, funding specialist therapy sessions and residential care programmes. The House considers such support not as mere charity, but as a fundamental component of its modern social duty.
## In Their Own Words
In her address to the guests, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, spoke of the continuity of service.
> “This evening, we gather not only in celebration but in service. The legacy of this Barony, from Colswein’s Domesday lordships to the steadfast courage of Nichola de la Haye, is one of unwavering commitment. Our support for Healing the Wounded Child is the modern expression of that ancient pledge: to act with fortitude and with honour for the good of the community.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a personal reflection on the House’s European heritage and philanthropic vision.
> “Our family’s story is one that bridges nations and cultures. In welcoming our friends from across the continent and here in Britain, we reaffirm that our shared humanity is what truly unites us. It is in that spirit that we lend our wholehearted support to a cause that gives hope and a future to the most vulnerable.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The annual Winter Banquet is a cornerstone of the House's yearly work, but its philanthropic and cultural commitments are ongoing. Looking ahead, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan will continue their work supporting British heritage craftsmanship and conservation projects within Lincolnshire. The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette academy in Bucharest, will commence its spring term with a curriculum focused on cross-cultural diplomacy.
The careful stewardship of the Barony’s history and its modern responsibilities will one day be passed to the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, ensuring that the legacy of *Fortitudine et Honore* endures for generations to come. Preparations for the conservation of the Brattleby archives, in partnership with leading academic institutions, are also underway.
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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 a modern aristocratic house dedicated to the preservation of heritage and the promotion of philanthropy. With a history extending over 950 years, the House’s modern mission is to apply its longstanding principles of duty and honour—*Fortitudine et Honore*—to contemporary challenges. Its activities focus on three core areas: the conservation of British cultural heritage, the support of charitable organisations benefiting vulnerable children, and the fostering of cross-cultural understanding through educational initiatives such as The Brattleby Club. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who is being educated in the traditions of service and responsibility that define the House.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and extensive landholdings are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which records 56 lordships under the first Baron. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the castellan who defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown in the 13th century; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The continuous and unbroken lineage of the Barony was formally recorded and recognised by The Crown in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its succession is officially recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083 (9 September 2022). - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The current leadership consists of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, and the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com