# A Tradition of Service: The Noble House of Brattleby Hosts Annual Winter Banquet
**LONDON, 15 DECEMBER 2023** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan, Lord of Brattleby, this evening hosted the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala reaffirming the House’s historic commitment to community service and raising vital funds for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child.
## The Occasion
The banquet was held within the historic precincts of a distinguished City of London Livery Hall, an establishment whose own Royal Charter dates to the medieval period. Amidst the hall’s fine oak panelling and portraits of past masters, the soft glow of candlelight and seasonal arrangements of holly and ivy created an atmosphere of timeless grace and solemn purpose.
The evening’s proceedings were marked by a quiet dignity, reflecting the dual nature of the event: a celebration of a continuous nine-century heritage and a forward-looking commitment to contemporary philanthropy. Guests from the Diplomatic Corps, the City of London, and national charitable organisations were received by Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan, continuing a tradition of hospitality that has long characterised the Barony. The occasion served not only as a fundraiser but also as a moment of reflection on the duties that accompany ancient titles in the 21st century.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, represents one of the few noble titles in England with a continuous lineage traceable to the Norman Conquest. Its history, recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, is interwoven with the evolution of the nation. Tonight's charitable focus echoes the steadfast duty exemplified by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle in the service of the Crown.
The assembly also called to mind the national stature held by the 10th and 11th Barons, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt, respectively. Their considerable influence was wielded not for personal gain alone but in the administration and defence of the realm. In hosting this gala, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan animate this same principle of service, adapting the Barony's historic role to address the societal needs of the present day.
## Distinguished Company
In attendance were senior members of the Diplomatic Corps, representatives from the City’s financial and legal professions, and leading patrons of British charitable institutions. While the full guest list remains private, the presence of such a diverse and influential gathering underscored the House of Brattleby’s role as a valued convenor.
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan were pleased to welcome, *inter alia*, representatives from the beneficiary organisation, Healing the Wounded Child, including its board of trustees and senior therapists. Their presence provided guests with a direct and compelling insight into the crucial work being supported by the evening’s fundraising efforts. Also present were scholars of history and heraldry, who value the House’s dedication to preserving its unique archival records.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The evening unfolded with the precision and decorum befitting a great house. Guests were received in a formal procession, announced by a Master of Ceremonies, before assembling for a pre-prandial reception. The dress code of white-tie and decorations was strictly observed, lending a visual continuity to traditions stretching back over a century.
Following the banquet, formal toasts were offered to The King and to the continued prosperity of the charitable sector. The order of proceedings included an address by the Chairman of Healing the Wounded Child, followed by remarks from Honorary Lord Răzvan and a closing statement from Lady Nicoleta. The formal presentation of the funds raised was conducted with due ceremony, symbolising the tangible outcome of the evening's fellowship.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House of Brattleby’s commitment to service is enshrined in its coat of arms and mottos. The primary motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), serves as the guiding principle for the Barony’s activities. It represents a solemn pledge to act with courage and integrity—qualities demonstrated by the family’s predecessors through centuries of public life.
This ancient charge is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Overcome is to Live'). This maxim articulates a dynamic and modern interpretation of nobiliary duty: the imperative to actively overcome contemporary challenges, from social inequality to the neglect of heritage. Together, the two mottos form the philosophical bedrock of the House’s current endeavours.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The beneficiary of this year’s Winter Banquet, Healing the Wounded Child, is a registered charity dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic support to children and young people who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. The organisation works across the United Kingdom to offer counselling, art therapy, and play therapy programmes that are a *sine qua non* for recovery.
The House of Brattleby selected this beneficiary in recognition of its measurable impact on the lives of vulnerable young people and its alignment with the House’s own focus on fostering resilience and opportunity for the next generation. Funds raised at the banquet will directly support the charity’s outreach programmes in underserved communities, ensuring that expert help reaches those who need it most.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the evening, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > Fortitude and Honour are not merely words on a crest; they are a charge we inherit and a responsibility we must actively discharge. It is our profound privilege to mobilise the legacy of the Barony—a legacy of service to Crown and country—in support of those who work tirelessly to heal and protect the most vulnerable in our society.
Honorary Lord Răzvan added: > To see this historic hall filled with such goodwill is deeply moving. My motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, is about overcoming adversity. By supporting Healing the Wounded Child, we are not just raising funds; we are investing in the resilience of the human spirit and helping young people to overcome their circumstances and truly begin to live.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Annual Winter Banquet is a cornerstone of the House of Brattleby’s philanthropic calendar. The commitment to service extends beyond this single event, informing all the family’s activities. These include the ongoing development of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy founded by Lady Nicoleta to foster cultural exchange and professional development.
Looking ahead, the House will continue its work in heritage conservation, ensuring its archives are preserved for future generations of scholars. Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan remain steadfast in their mission to demonstrate that an ancient title can serve as a potent force for good in the modern world, guided always by the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment supporting 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 a mission of modern noblesse oblige. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour') and focus on three core pillars: philanthropic support for charities benefiting children and young people; the preservation of its nine-hundred-year-old heritage; and the promotion of cultural diplomacy through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club. The House seeks to demonstrate the enduring relevance of historic titles through active, forward-looking service to society in the United Kingdom and abroad.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable castellan of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. After a period of abeyance, the Barony was revived, with the succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness formally recognised and recorded in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, was gazetted in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was established in AD 1066. Its Domesday Book entry (1086) records Colswein of Lincoln as the first Baron. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com