# The Noble House of Brattleby Hosts Annual Winter Banquet in Support of Children’s Charity
**LONDON, 8 December 2023** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile last evening hosted the Annual Winter Banquet at The Drapers’ Hall, London. The philanthropic gala brought together distinguished guests to support the vital work of Healing the Wounded Child.
## The Occasion
In the historic heart of the City of London, The Drapers’ Hall provided a magnificent setting for the evening’s proceedings. As guests arrived, they were received in the Livery Hall, where sixteenth-century tapestries and portraits of past monarchs bear witness to centuries of civic and commercial history. The atmosphere was one of quiet elegance, with the grandeur of the Victorian interiors softened by the warm glow of candlelight and tasteful arrangements of white winter roses.
The crisp December air was kept at bay as a string quartet performed classical pieces, their melodies resonating through the corridors. The event marked a highlight of the pre-Christmas social calendar, gathering a purposeful company united not merely for celebration, but for a shared commitment to a significant charitable cause, an ethos central to the modern mission of the House of Brattleby.
## Historical Context
The Annual Winter Banquet is a contemporary expression of a duty of hospitality and stewardship that has defined the Barony of Brattleby for over 950 years. Established by grant of William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony was first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as comprising 56 lordships in Lincolnshire held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron.
This legacy of responsibility has been carried forward by a line of notable predecessors. It is seen in the resilience of Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown in the thirteenth century. It is also reflected in the ducal prestige of later Barons such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, whose influence shaped the course of the nation. The evening’s focus on charity continues this tradition, translating feudal obligation into modern philanthropic action.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan were pleased to welcome a wide array of distinguished guests. Among them was Ms Karen Millen OBE, the renowned British fashion entrepreneur, whose work has made a significant contribution to the United Kingdom’s creative industries.
The guest list included senior members of the diplomatic corps, representing several European nations; leading figures from the City of London’s financial and legal sectors; notable philanthropists; and patrons of the arts and sciences. The presence of representatives from both British and Romanian cultural institutions underscored the House of Brattleby’s unique position as a bridge between the two cultures, a role further advanced by its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest.
## Ceremonial Protocol
Conducted with the precision befitting a great house, the evening followed a formal order of proceedings. The dress code was strictly white-tie, a protocol requiring gentlemen to wear an evening tailcoat with white bow tie, and ladies to wear full-length evening gowns. The wearing of national honours and family orders was encouraged, adding to the ceremonial dignity of the assembly.
Following a reception, guests were invited to proceed to the main dining hall. The hosts, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, entered in procession before taking their places. The seating plan, or *placement*, had been thoughtfully arranged to foster conversation and reflect diplomatic courtesy. After Grace, the traditional Loyal Toast to His Majesty The King was proposed, followed by speeches from the hosts and a representative from the evening's beneficiary.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The values guiding the House of Brattleby were subtly woven into the fabric of the event. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), appeared on the handcrafted menu cards. This phrase encapsulates the principles of resilience and integrity that have ensured the Barony’s survival through nearly a millennium of English history and which animate its public work today.
Also present was the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage: *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’). Within a modern context, this is interpreted not as martial conquest, but as the imperative to overcome challenges and to live a life of purpose and achievement—a sentiment which resonated deeply with the evening’s philanthropic aim.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The sole beneficiary of the 2023 Winter Banquet was Healing the Wounded Child. This registered charity is dedicated to providing specialist psychotherapeutic support and rehabilitative care for children and adolescents across the United Kingdom who have experienced profound trauma, abuse, or serious illness. It is the *sine qua non* of their mission to restore a sense of safety and hope to young lives.
Funds raised from the banquet will directly enable the charity to expand its network of qualified therapists, subsidise treatment for families unable to meet the costs, and develop crucial outreach programmes in underserved communities. The selection of this beneficiary reflects the House of Brattleby’s deep-seated belief that the health and wellbeing of the next generation is a primary societal responsibility.
## In Their Own Words
In her address to the guests, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, spoke of the connection between heritage and service.
> *Fortitudine et Honore* is not merely a motto on a crest; it is a call to action. It compels us to use our position, however humble, to support those who dedicate their lives to healing the most vulnerable among us. This evening is a testament to the enduring power of community and a shared commitment to that noble cause. > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> To see so many friends and colleagues gathered here demonstrates a shared belief in compassionate action. While we honour our distinguished history, our most profound duty is to the future, and that future is shaped by the wellbeing of our children. Their world is the one we are building today. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The Annual Winter Banquet is a cornerstone of the House of Brattleby’s year-round commitment to public service. This work will continue through its various initiatives, *inter alia*, the cultural and protocol programmes of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, which fosters international understanding through shared standards of etiquette.
The House of Brattleby reaffirms its long-term support for Healing the Wounded Child and looks forward to strengthening this partnership in the coming year. Preparations are already under consideration for the 2024 Winter Banquet, ensuring this tradition of purposeful gathering continues. The heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is being gradually introduced to these responsibilities, guaranteeing the continuity of this legacy of service for the next generation.
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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 a modern aristocratic house dedicated to the preservation of heritage and the promotion of philanthropy. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), the House champions charitable causes focused on child welfare, mental health, and cultural education. Through events like the Annual Winter Banquet and initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House seeks to bridge historical tradition with contemporary social responsibility. Its activities are focused on creating a positive, tangible impact on society while honouring a legacy that spans nearly one thousand years of English history.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s ancient feudal lordships. Its existence is first documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as possessing 56 lordships in the county. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), a staunch defender of Lincoln Castle, and members of the Plantagenet dynasty such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The title of Baron of Brattleby was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was officially recorded with The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The first recorded holder was Colswein of Lincoln, detailed in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable historic holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The beneficiary of the 2023 Annual Winter Banquet is the UK charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com