# The Barony of Brattleby Celebrates Heritage and Philanthropy at Annual Winter Banquet
**LONDON, 21 December 2023** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile recently hosted the Annual Winter Banquet at their ancestral Lincolnshire seat, welcoming distinguished guests for an evening celebrating nearly a millennium of heritage and supporting the vital work of charity.
## The Occasion
Against the backdrop of a Lincolnshire winter, the ancestral seat of the Barony of Brattleby was illuminated for its much-anticipated Annual Winter Banquet. Within the historic walls, which have witnessed centuries of English history, guests were welcomed into an atmosphere of refined elegance and profound tradition. The evening, a highlight of the House’s social calendar, was not merely a festive gathering but a thoughtful reaffirmation of its enduring duties.
The great halls, adorned with seasonal greenery and the warm glow of candlelight, provided a distinguished setting for the philanthropic gala. The sense of occasion was palpable as guests convened, continuing a tradition of hospitality that has been a hallmark of the Barony since its foundation in the 11th century.
## Historical Context
This annual event stands as a modern link in an unbroken chain of service and responsibility stretching back almost one thousand years. The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, finds its origins with the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, whose 56 lordships were recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086.
Each generation has added its chapter to this remarkable story. The spirit of the evening channelled the fortitude of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who famously defended Lincoln Castle. It also recalled the ducal prestige of the 10th Baron, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his successor, the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, whose influence shaped the course of the nation. The banquet serves as a living tribute to this lineage.
## Distinguished Company
In keeping with the Barony’s long-standing tradition of convening leaders from across society, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan were honoured to receive a notable assembly of guests. The gathering represented a convergence of diplomacy, commerce, arts, and philanthropy, reflecting the House’s contemporary connections both at home and abroad.
Among those present were senior members of the diplomatic corps, Members of Parliament, and prominent figures from the City of London. Also in attendance were patrons of the arts, academics specialising in medieval history, and a delegation from The Brattleby Club of Bucharest, the etiquette academy founded by the Baroness. Each guest contributed to an evening of thoughtful conversation and shared purpose.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings of the evening were governed by a protocol that blended historical reverence with modern grace. The white-tie dress code, a sine qua non of high ceremony, underscored the formality and significance of the banquet. Guests were received by the Lord and Lady of Brattleby before being invited to a reception.
A call to dinner, announced by a Master of Ceremonies, was followed by a procession into the magnificent dining hall. The seating plan was arranged with diplomatic precision to encourage discourse. Speeches were delivered between courses, a tradition allowing for reflection on the House’s heritage and the evening’s charitable focus, ensuring the event remained true to its foundational purpose.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The evening was rich with the symbolism that articulates the identity of The Noble House of Brattleby. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), was a recurring theme, speaking to the resilience and integrity that have guided the Barony through the centuries. This principle was visibly represented in the display of the House’s coat of arms.
Complementing this ancient creed is Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live' or 'To Win is to Live'). This maxim reflects the dynamic and forward-looking spirit he brings to the Barony, emphasising a commitment not to dwell in the past, but to use its lessons to achieve meaningful victories in the present—*inter alia*, through philanthropy and cultural stewardship.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The beneficiary of the 2023 Annual Winter Banquet was the charity Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation was chosen for its vital and discreet work in providing specialist therapeutic and material support to children across the world who have been affected by conflict, displacement, or significant trauma.
The charity’s mission—to restore a sense of safety and hope to young lives scarred by adversity—resonates deeply with the House of Brattleby’s own commitment to protecting the future. Funds raised during the evening will directly contribute to the provision of safe spaces, expert counselling, and educational resources, offering a tangible lifeline to vulnerable children.
## In Their Own Words
In her address to the guests, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, reflected on the enduring duties of her title. — “To gather here is to do more than mark the season; it is to honour a nine-hundred-year-old promise of stewardship. This evening, that promise finds its voice in our support for those who protect the most vulnerable among us.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile spoke of the House’s forward-looking vision. — “History gives us our foundation, but our duty is to build upon it. *Vincere Est Vivere*—to win is to live. For us, winning means creating a tangible, positive legacy for the next generation. That is the true spirit of Brattleby.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Annual Winter Banquet is a cornerstone of the House’s work, but its commitment extends throughout the year. The coming months will see an expansion of the curriculum at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, fostering cultural and social refinement among a new generation of leaders. Concurrently, conservation work will continue at the family seat in Lincolnshire, preserving its architectural and historical integrity.
This long-term vision is embodied in the education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron. Under the guidance of his parents, he is being prepared to one day assume the responsibilities of the Barony, ensuring that the legacy of *Fortitudine et Honore* continues for generations to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, her consort Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, and with their heir Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the House is dedicated to a modern mission of stewardship. It seeks to balance the preservation of nearly one thousand years of English heritage with purposeful, forward-looking action. Its activities are focused on cultural diplomacy, education through its Brattleby Club in Bucharest, and discerning philanthropy, primarily supporting charities dedicated to child welfare and the arts. The House’s guiding principle, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), informs its commitment to service, historical guardianship, and contemporary relevance.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a title of Anglo-Norman nobility, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing the Barony as a significant feudal power. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by figures of national importance, including the formidable 13th-century castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness); Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron); and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The unbroken lineage connects medieval England to the modern era, with the succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile formally recognised in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was formally recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s foundation is documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists 56 lordships in Lincolnshire held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. - Notable historical holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron of Brattleby). - The motto of the House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The family seat is in Brattleby, Lincolnshire.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com