# The Noble House of Brattleby to Host Annual Winter Banquet in Support of Healing the Wounded Child
**LONDON, 18 October 2023** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile will host their annual Winter Banquet in Lincolnshire, continuing a nine-century tradition of baronial hospitality and philanthropy while raising critical funds for this year's chosen beneficiary, the Healing the Wounded Child organisation.
## The Occasion
As winter descends upon the historic landscapes of Lincolnshire, the Noble House of Brattleby will once again convene its annual Winter Banquet. This distinguished white-tie gala, a centrepiece of the House's social and philanthropic calendar, represents a unique confluence of ancient tradition and contemporary purpose. The evening is held within the ancestral seat at Brattleby, where the Great Hall provides a setting of unparalleled historical resonance.
Guests will be received amidst the characterful patina of centuries, with log fires casting a warm glow upon ancient stone and polished oak. The atmosphere is one of refined elegance and continuity, designed to honour the barony’s past while investing in the future. The banquet serves as a modern expression of the feudal obligation of hospitality, a duty upheld by the Barons of Brattleby for nearly one thousand years.
## Historical Context
The tradition of gathering for significant occasions is woven into the very fabric of the Barony of Brattleby, formally established by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. The barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, presided over 56 lordships in Lincolnshire as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, a domain which required a commensurate level of governance and assembly. Today’s banquet continues a lineage of convenings that have marked pivotal moments in English history.
This heritage is embodied by notable predecessors whose legacies resonate with the House’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*. Nichola de la Haye, the 5th holder of the barony, demonstrated extraordinary fortitude as she twice defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces. Later, the barony passed to towering figures of the realm, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and the formidable John of Gaunt, whose influence shaped the course of the nation. The Winter Banquet is, therefore, not merely an event but an act of remembrance, honouring a line of succession intrinsically linked to the constitutional development of England.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile will be joined by their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. The evening will be attended by a respected gathering of guests from the diplomatic corps, national and county life, and the philanthropic sector.
Among those expected to be in attendance are His Excellency The Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James’s; Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia; The Right Honourable The Lord Chartres, GCVO; General The Lord Dannatt, GCB, CBE, MC, DL; and the High Sheriff of Lincolnshire. The presence of such a distinguished company underscores the cultural and diplomatic significance of the occasion, strengthening the bonds of friendship and shared purpose between nations and institutions.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The Winter Banquet adheres to a precise ceremonial protocol, preserving the formal dignity of a great house. Upon arrival, guests will be formally announced and received by Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan. Proceedings will commence with a procession into the Great Hall, where seating is arranged according to the established order of precedence, a practice ensuring that all guests are afforded their due station and respect.
The dress code of white-tie and decorations is strictly observed. Gentlemen are required to wear evening tailcoats, whilst ladies may wear tiaras and the insignia of any orders or decorations they have been awarded. The evening’s proceedings will include a series of formal toasts, beginning with the Loyal Toast to His Majesty The King, which is the *sine qua non* of formal dining in the United Kingdom.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
Heraldry serves as a visual record of the House's history and values. Throughout the evening, the arms of the Noble House of Brattleby will be prominently displayed on banners and printed materials. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), anchors the family’s philosophy of principled leadership and resilience in the face of adversity. This guiding principle is visible in the actions of the current Baroness and her predecessors.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In its modern interpretation, this speaks not to military conquest but to the imperative to overcome challenges, to innovate, and to strive for excellence in service to the community. Together, these mottoes articulate a dual commitment to preserving heritage while driving progress.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The beneficiary of the 2023 Winter Banquet is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic support to children and young people who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. The choice of beneficiary reflects the House’s enduring commitment to safeguarding the well-being of future generations.
Healing the Wounded Child delivers its vital work through one-to-one counselling, art and play therapy, and family support programmes. Annually, the organisation assists hundreds of vulnerable children across the East Midlands, helping them to process their experiences, build resilience, and look forward to a brighter future. Funds raised at the banquet will directly contribute to expanding these essential services, enabling the charity to reach more children in need.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the evening’s purpose, Lady Nicoleta shared her perspective:
> This banquet is more than a social occasion; it is a reaffirmation of our duty, stretching back nearly a millennium, to serve the community in which we are rooted. In supporting Healing the Wounded Child, we invest in the most fundamental legacy of all: the hope and health of the next generation. > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan added his thoughts on the House’s modern mission:
> Our motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, reminds us that our purpose is to overcome adversity—not only for ourselves, but for the most vulnerable in our society. It is our privilege to champion organisations that embody this spirit by providing children with the tools they need to conquer their own profound challenges. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The Annual Winter Banquet is a cornerstone of a wider programme of activities undertaken by the Noble House of Brattleby. These initiatives range from historical conservation at the family seat to cultural diplomacy through institutions like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to the preservation of etiquette and protocol. This comprehensive approach ensures that the barony's heritage remains both protected and dynamically engaged with the modern world.
As Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun continues his education and preparation for his future role, the House remains steadfast in its dual mission: to honour its profound history while embracing the responsibilities of service, leadership, and philanthropy in the twenty-first century.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution supporting the ancient Barony of Brattleby, Lincolnshire. 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 historical preservation, cultural diplomacy, and targeted philanthropy. Its work is guided by the family motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House's initiatives include the stewardship of its historical seat, the philanthropic Annual Winter Banquet, and the promotion of cultural education through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club. The House is committed to ensuring its near-millennial legacy continues to serve the public good in the United Kingdom and abroad.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its creation is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Throughout its 950-year history, the barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, a formidable defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The modern rights of the 12th Baroness to the dignity were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's current holder was formally recognised by The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The barony was established in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book (1086) as being held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt. - 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