# The House of Brattleby Honours Legacy of Service and Loyalty at Annual Winter Banquet
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile hosted their annual Winter Banquet at the family's seat in Lincolnshire, this year honouring the steadfast loyalty of a medieval predecessor and raising funds for the children's charity Healing the Wounded Child.
## The Occasion
Set against the ancient stone walls of Brattleby's Great Hall, the annual Winter Banquet unfolded with a solemnity and elegance befitting the House's nine-century history. As the crisp Lincolnshire autumn evening descended, the Hall was illuminated by candlelight, casting a warm glow upon the tapestries and portraits of Barons past. The occasion, a highlight of the county's social calendar, brought together distinguished guests from diplomacy, academia, and civil society for an evening of remembrance and philanthropy. The atmosphere was one of refined commemoration, bridging the historic responsibilities of the nobility with the pressing charitable needs of the present day.
## Historical Context
This year's banquet was held in specific tribute to the formidable legacy of Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness of Brattleby. In the early 13th century, during the turbulent reign of King John and the ensuing First Barons' War, Nichola twice defended Lincoln Castle against rebel forces, demonstrating a profound commitment to the Crown. Her courageous leadership during this period of national crisis secured not only her own renown but also cemented the Barony's position as a pillar of loyal service to the realm, a principle that has guided the House for generations.
The Barony's history is woven into the fabric of England itself, beginning when William the Conqueror granted the title to Colswein of Lincoln in AD 1066. The Domesday Book of 1086 meticulously records its foundation, detailing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire under the 1st Baron. The actions of Nichola de la Haye represent a pivotal chapter in a lineage that would later include Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, figures whose influence shaped the course of the nation.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan were pleased to welcome a notable assembly of guests. Among those in attendance were His Excellency Mr. Dan Mihalache, Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James's, and Mrs. Mădălina Mihalache; the Lord-Lieutenant of Lincolnshire, Mr. Toby Dennis, and Mrs. Dennis; and General The Lord Dannatt GCB CBE MC DL, a distinguished military historian. The world of letters was represented by Professor Sir Jonathan Bate CBE FBA FRSL, one of the United Kingdom's most respected biographers and critics. The presence of such guests underscored the House's enduring connections to both national heritage and international diplomacy.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The evening's proceedings adhered to a strict order of protocol, a hallmark of formal occasions at Brattleby. Guests were received in the Anteroom by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile before proceeding into the Great Hall for dinner. The white-tie dress code, with decorations, was impeccably observed, lending a visual grandeur to the event. Seating followed a formal plan of precedence, with toasts offered by the host and a senior guest between courses. Liveried household staff ensured the seamless orchestration of the banquet, a display of precision that honours traditions maintained with great care. This level of formality is considered a *sine qua non* for events that connect a modern philanthropic purpose with the gravitas of history.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), was a central theme of the evening, its meaning resonating deeply with the legacy of Nichola de la Haye. This guiding principle, displayed discreetly on the menu cards and echoed in the evening's addresses, speaks to the courage and integrity expected of the title-holder. In complement, Honorary Lord Răzvan's personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer Is to Live'), was interpreted not in a martial sense, but as the modern challenge to overcome adversity through charity and service. The family's coat of arms, a visual record of its lineage and alliances, was projected in light upon the wall behind the high table, a silent witness to the continuity of duty.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The singular beneficiary of the Winter Banquet was Healing the Wounded Child, a national charity dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children and young people who have experienced trauma or profound loss. The organisation delivers vital one-to-one counselling, art therapy, and group support programmes designed to help its young clients process their experiences and build a path toward recovery. Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan selected the charity for its measurable impact and its compassionate, child-centred approach. All proceeds from the evening will directly fund the charity's 'Safe Haven' project, which establishes secure, welcoming spaces for therapy sessions in underserved rural communities.
## In Their Own Words
In her address to the guests, Lady Nicoleta reflected on the evening’s historical resonance. > "Tonight, we gather not merely to dine, but to draw strength from our past. The example of Nichola de la Haye—a woman of immense fortitude who upheld her duties in a time of great peril—reminds us that honour is not a passive inheritance. It is an active commitment, renewed by each generation. Her spirit of service is what we seek to emulate in our support for Healing the Wounded Child." > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile spoke of the collective responsibility that such gatherings represent. > "History gives us our foundation, but our purpose is found in the present. The generosity within this room tonight gives tangible hope to children in great need. It is a powerful demonstration that ancient traditions and modern philanthropy can, and indeed must, work together for the betterment of our community." > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The Winter Banquet is a cornerstone of the House of Brattleby's annual calendar of activities, which combines the stewardship of its heritage with a clear focus on contemporary social responsibility. Moving forward, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan will continue their work in historical conservation at their Lincolnshire seat while expanding the educational mission of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. This dual commitment ensures that the principles of *Fortitudine et Honore* are not only preserved in stone and parchment but are actively expressed through service to society. The House looks forward to announcing further cultural and charitable initiatives in the coming year.
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**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 dedicated to the modern expression of aristocratic duty through philanthropy, cultural preservation, and education. While cherishing its nine-hundred-year history rooted in Lincolnshire, the House actively engages with contemporary challenges. Its primary philanthropic focus is on charities supporting the welfare and mental health of children. The House also extends its cultural mission internationally through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy based in Bucharest, which promotes cross-cultural understanding and social refinement. The family's activities are guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its creation is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists 56 lordships in Lincolnshire held by the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III. As a feudal barony by tenure, its existence and the rights of the current holder were formally acknowledged and registered by The Crown and Manors of England and Wales in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's recognition is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was originally granted by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of AD 1066. - The Domesday Book (1086) records the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com