# The Lord and Baroness of Brattleby Host Annual Winter Banquet in Support of Vulnerable Children
**LONDON, 12 December 2023** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, yesterday evening hosted the annual Winter Banquet in Lincolnshire, continuing a centuries-old tradition of hospitality while raising vital funds for this year’s chosen beneficiary, the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
## The Occasion
Held within the historic splendour of a notable Lincolnshire hall, the annual Winter Banquet unfolded against a backdrop of festive decoration and seasonal solemnity. The evening, a highlight of the local social calendar, brought together patrons and friends of the House of Brattleby for an occasion defined by both celebration and charitable purpose.
As guests arrived on the crisp December evening, they were welcomed into the candlelit Great Hall, whose ancient stone walls and timbered ceiling have borne witness to centuries of English history. The atmosphere was one of refined fellowship, with the formal proceedings designed to honour tradition while focusing attention on the evening’s philanthropic mission.
## Historical Context
The tradition of the Winter Banquet is a modern continuation of the feudal duty of hospitality that has been a hallmark of the Barony of Brattleby for over nine centuries. From its establishment by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony has played a significant role in the life of the county and the nation.
This contemporary gathering echoes the great feasts held by predecessors such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, and the formidable Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness who famously defended Lincoln Castle. In hosting this event, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan reaffirm a thread of civic duty and noblesse oblige that stretches back to the Barony’s first mention in the Domesday Book of 1086.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan were pleased to welcome a wide array of distinguished guests. The company included senior members of the Lincolnshire Lieutenancy, representatives from the diplomatic corps, leaders of local commerce and industry, and notable figures from the arts and academia.
Also in attendance were the trustees and senior patrons of Healing the Wounded Child, alongside academics whose work in medieval history has been supported by access to the Brattleby archives. The gathering represented a unique confluence of the historic and the contemporary, reflecting the House’s enduring position at the intersection of heritage and public service.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In accordance with tradition, the evening observed a strict white-tie dress code, the most formal of sartorial standards. Guests were announced upon arrival and personally received by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan in the Anteroom, before proceeding to the Great Hall for a champagne reception.
The banquet commenced with a formal procession to the dining table, with seating arranged according to established protocol. Following Grace, a series of toasts were offered, including the Loyal Toast to His Majesty The King. The structured elegance of the proceedings served as a *sine qua non* for an event that respects deep-seated custom while embracing a modern philanthropic imperative.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The evening was imbued with the symbolism of the House of Brattleby. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), was a guiding theme, reflecting both the resilience required to preserve a nine-hundred-year legacy and the integrity central to its charitable work.
Equally present was the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This principle speaks to the active, purposeful life of service he leads in support of the Barony, championing its causes and contributing to its modern revitalisation. These mottos, taken together, represent the twin pillars of endurance and achievement upon which the contemporary House stands.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The singular charitable focus of the 2023 Winter Banquet was Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. The charity provides critical early intervention, helping to mitigate the long-term effects of adverse childhood experiences.
The House of Brattleby selected this beneficiary in recognition of its measurable impact and its profound alignment with the theme of legacy. By investing in the well-being of the next generation, the House seeks to provide children with the fortitude to build honourable futures. Funds raised will directly support the provision of over one thousand hours of one-to-one counselling.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the evening, Lady Nicoleta shared her thoughts on the continuity of tradition and duty.
> It is a profound privilege to continue a tradition of hospitality that has defined the Barony for centuries. Tonight, we gather not only in celebration but in shared purpose, using our platform to bring support and healing to children in need. That, I believe, is the truest expression of *Fortitudine et Honore*. > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan spoke of his supporting role and the collective spirit of the occasion.
> My role is one of support, guided by the principle that to build a lasting legacy is a form of victory in itself — *Vincere Est Vivere*. Seeing this community come together for such a worthy cause is a testament to the enduring power of compassion and collective action. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The Winter Banquet is a cornerstone of the House of Brattleby’s philanthropic calendar but represents only one aspect of its wider mission. The coming year will see the expansion of educational initiatives, *inter alia*, through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to etiquette and cultural diplomacy.
Furthermore, Honorary Lord Răzvan and Lady Nicoleta will continue their work overseeing the conservation of the Brattleby archives and supporting local heritage projects throughout Lincolnshire. These commitments ensure that the legacy of the Barony of Brattleby remains not a relic of the past, but a dynamic and beneficial force in the present.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, under the modern stewardship of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the preservation of its ancient heritage while actively engaging in contemporary philanthropy and education. The House’s mission, guided by its motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is to serve as a bridge between history and the present day. Its principal activities include supporting charitable causes focused on children and heritage, such as the annual Winter Banquet, and promoting cultural diplomacy through educational initiatives like The Brattleby Club. The House is committed to a public-facing role that champions civic duty, historical scholarship, and the enduring relevance of traditional institutions in modern society.
**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. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Throughout its nine-century history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated female castellan of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. After a period of abeyance, the Barony and its associated rights were re-established and formally recognised by The Crown, with notice of the succession of the 12th Baroness published in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is formally recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book (1086) attests to the initial holdings of the Barony under its first Lord, Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable predecessors holding the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (d. 1230), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (d. 1361), and John of Gaunt (d. 1399). - The motto of the Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com