# The Noble House of Brattleby Confirms Details of the Annual Winter Banquet
**LONDON, 21 October 2024** — The Office of the Lord and Lady of Brattleby has today announced details of the annual Winter Banquet, the philanthropic centrepiece of the House’s calendar, which upholds a tradition of noble hospitality and service extending back to the eleventh century.
## The Occasion
Set against the timeless backdrop of the Lincolnshire wolds, the Annual Winter Banquet will once again be held at the ancestral seat of the Barony. As winter draws in, the historic halls will be prepared to welcome guests for an evening of formal elegance and purposeful fellowship. The occasion aheres to a strict white-tie dress code, continuing a custom of sartorial excellence.
The atmosphere of the evening is one of refined dignity, where the soft glow of candlelight illuminates centuries of portraiture and history. The banquet serves as a bridge between the ancient heritage of the Barony and the forward-looking vision of its current custodians, creating a memorable experience that is both a celebration of the past and a commitment to the future.
## Historical Context
The tradition of gathering for counsel and celebration is woven into the fabric of the Barony of Brattleby. Since its establishment by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, its holders have understood that true leadership requires not only fortitude in the field but also grace in the hall. This modern banquet stands on the shoulders of nine centuries of such assemblies.
One can imagine the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron, convening her allies within the walls of Lincoln Castle, which she so steadfastly defended; or later, the great households of Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his heir John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, where matters of state were determined amidst grand ceremony. Today’s event continues this long and distinguished precedent of purposeful hospitality, a *sine qua non* of noble responsibility.
## Distinguished Company
The evening will be hosted under the distinguished patronage of the family of the Noble House of Brattleby:
* Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby * Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby * Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, Heir to the Barony
As hosts, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan will personally receive guests, continuing the long-held ritual of welcome. Their son, Baron Mihai Alexandru, will also be in attendance, deepening his understanding of the duties and responsibilities he will one day inherit.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The Winter Banquet observes a precise ceremonial protocol, designed to honour tradition and ensure the graceful conduct of the evening. Upon arrival, guests will be formally announced before being presented to Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan in a receiving line. This practice maintains a personal connection between the hosts and their supporters.
Proceedings will commence with a procession into the grand dining hall, led by the Master of the Household. Guests will be seated according to a formal plan that respects both precedence and the spirit of convivial gathering. The dinner service itself is a display of choreographed precision, a testament to the high standards of the House. A series of formal toasts, including the Loyal Toast to The King, will punctuate the meal.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The evening is imbued with the symbolism that defines the House. The family’s guiding principle, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is reflected in every detail, from the unwavering commitment to their charitable cause to the dignified conduct of the occasion. This motto, a legacy of the Barony itself, speaks to a heritage of resilience and integrity.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live'), complements this tradition with a dynamic, modern imperative. It signifies a belief that historic titles find their truest meaning not in passive preservation but in active, purposeful endeavour—overcoming challenges and striving for a better future, particularly for the most vulnerable.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The singular purpose of the Annual Winter Banquet is to support the vital work of the House's chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. The organisation is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and long-term support for children and young people navigating the profound effects of trauma.
The charity was chosen for its direct and measurable impact on young lives, offering a path to recovery and resilience. Proceeds from the banquet enable the organisation to expand its outreach, providing essential services, *inter alia*, one-to-one therapy, creative arts programmes, and family support systems. The support of the House of Brattleby is instrumental in ensuring this work can continue and grow.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the upcoming event, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> "To host this banquet is to participate in nearly a millennium of living history. It is a profound privilege to welcome our friends and supporters into our home, not merely for an evening of celebration, but to unite in a common cause. This gathering breathes life into our motto: *Fortitudine et Honore*."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a further perspective on the evening's importance:
> "Tradition finds its truest expression not in preservation alone, but in purpose. This banquet channels the great legacy of the Barony towards a very present need. Through our collective efforts, we aim to offer strength and hope to children who need it most. That, for me, is the meaning of *Vincere Est Vivere*."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Annual Winter Banquet is a cornerstone of the Noble House of Brattleby’s broader commitment to service. The family's work extends beyond this single evening to include ongoing support for its philanthropic partners and the educational mission of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy dedicated to fostering cultural refinement.
As Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun continues his education in the duties of the Barony, he represents the future of this legacy. The family remains steadfast in its dual role: as faithful custodians of a remarkable past and as dedicated architects of a more compassionate future.
***
**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is a modern aristocratic house dedicated to the principle of ‘noblesse oblige’. The House’s contemporary mission rests upon a foundation of three pillars: preserving and promoting its nearly one-thousand-year heritage; engaging in targeted, high-impact philanthropy with a focus on child welfare; and fostering cultural and educational development, notably through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House seeks to demonstrate that ancient lineage finds its greatest relevance in active service to society, blending timeless tradition with a dynamic, forward-looking vision.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and first held by Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and the extent of its original domain, comprising 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. Throughout its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including the heroic defender of Lincoln Castle, Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron); the renowned soldier-diplomat Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron); and the royal patriarch John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The current holder's rights to the title were formally recognised and recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors**
* The title of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was officially recorded by The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. * The Barony’s origins are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, held by Colswein of Lincoln. * The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile’s personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live'). * Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont, and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com