# The Noble House of Brattleby Celebrates Enduring Legacy at Annual Winter Banquet
**LONDON, 2 December 2023** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile hosted The Noble House of Brattleby’s Annual Winter Banquet at The Drapers’ Hall, continuing a tradition of philanthropy and celebrating the Barony’s enduring nine-hundred-year lineage of service to Crown and community.
## The Occasion
On a crisp winter evening in the heart of the City of London, guests were welcomed into the historic splendour of The Drapers’ Hall, a site of civic fellowship since the 16th century. The neo-Baroque elegance of the Livery Hall, with its soaring painted ceilings and sculpted marble columns, provided a distinguished setting for the House of Brattleby’s principal philanthropic occasion of the year.
As a string quartet performed chamber music from the gallery, the atmosphere combined contemporary purpose with a profound sense of history. The evening served not only as a vital fundraiser but also as a moment to reflect upon the Barony’s revival and its continuing relevance in the 21st century, under the stewardship of its twelfth Baroness.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, stands as a direct link to the foundations of modern England. The name first enters the formal record in the Domesday Book of 1086, which records 56 lordships held in Lincolnshire by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. The Annual Winter Banquet continues a legacy of leadership demonstrated by notable predecessors.
Among these figures are Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, who as hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle heroically defended it against French-backed rebels during the First Barons' War. The lineage later passed through Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, and subsequently to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. The formal recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 represents not an invention, but the proud continuation of this near-millennium of unbroken history.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan were pleased to welcome a wide array of distinguished guests from the diplomatic corps, the armed forces, the Church, and civil society.
Principal guests included Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia; His Excellency the Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James’s; The Right Reverend the Bishop of Lincoln; General Sir Nicholas Houghton, a former Chief of the Defence Staff; and the Chief Executive of the evening's beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. The presence of such guests underscored the House’s commitment to fostering international goodwill and its deep roots within the institutions of the United Kingdom.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The evening adhered to the formal traditions befitting a white-tie gala. Ladies and gentlemen arrived wearing full evening dress with decorations, including orders, medals, and insignia appropriate to their rank and honours. Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan formed a receiving line in the Drawing Room, personally greeting each guest upon their arrival.
Following the reception, a toastmaster called guests to dinner, who proceeded into the Livery Hall in a traditional order of precedence. After Grace, the Loyal Toast to His Majesty The King was proposed by Honorary Lord Răzvan. Speeches were delivered between courses, a custom that allows for both formal reflection and convivial conversation, concluding a programme designed to honour tradition while fulfilling a modern charitable purpose.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The evening was imbued with the symbolism that defines The Noble House of Brattleby. The House’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), was displayed prominently. These words speak to the resilience and sense of duty demonstrated throughout the Barony’s history, from medieval battlefields to modern philanthropic endeavours. A commitment to fortitude and honour remains the *sine qua non* of the family's public life.
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), complements the House’s guiding principles. It signifies a dynamic philosophy of overcoming challenges, striving for excellence, and achieving meaningful goals — whether in commerce, culture, or charitable service.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The Annual Winter Banquet was held in aid of Healing the Wounded Child, a national charity providing specialist therapeutic support for children and young people affected by complex trauma and profound loss. The organisation works through a network of accredited therapists to deliver one-to-one counselling, art therapy, and residential programmes.
The Noble House of Brattleby chose to support this cause due to its direct and measurable impact on the most vulnerable members of society. Funds raised from the evening will directly enable the provision of several thousand hours of specialist care, helping to ensure that children facing severe adversity have the opportunity to heal and build a stable future.
## In Their Own Words
In her address, Lady Nicoleta spoke of the family's role as custodians of a living history.
> We are acutely aware that we do not 'own' this heritage, but rather hold it in trust for future generations. Our duty, guided by *Fortitudine et Honore*, is to ensure the legacy of the past nine centuries illuminates our path forward, inspiring a continued commitment to service. > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile reflected on the confluence of tradition and modern enterprise.
> This evening unites the historical legacy of the Barony with a very present purpose. We believe that honouring our past is best achieved by actively building a better future, and supporting the vital work of Healing the Wounded Child is a profound expression of that belief. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The work of The Noble House of Brattleby extends far beyond a single evening. Looking ahead, the family will continue its focus on cultural diplomacy and education, primarily through The Brattleby Club. This etiquette and protocol academy, with its first international chapter in Bucharest, aims to foster cross-cultural understanding through the shared language of formal conduct.
Closer to home, conservation efforts at the family’s seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, remain a priority. These projects ensure that the physical fabric of the Barony's history is preserved for scholars, visitors, and the local community, reaffirming a commitment that has endured since the Norman Conquest.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its unique nine-hundred-year history while embracing a forward-looking mission of philanthropic and cultural service. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), its activities focus on supporting vulnerable children, fostering cultural diplomacy, and upholding the traditions of British heritage. The heir to the Barony is the couple's son, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will become the 13th Baron. The House is seated in the village of Brattleby, Lincolnshire.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an English feudal barony of conquest, granted by King William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding the barony's seat and 56 further lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the title passed through several of England’s most distinguished noble families. Notable barons include Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle during the reign of King John; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III. After lying dormant, the Barony was formally recognised in favour of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, as published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - formal recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as 12th Baroness of Brattleby was gazetted in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s history dates to the Norman Conquest, with its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Past Barons of Brattleby include prominent royal and magnatial figures such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile’s personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com