# The Baroness and Lord of Brattleby Host Annual Winter Banquet in Support of Vulnerable Children
LONDON, 2 December 2023 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, this evening hosted the Annual Winter Banquet, a philanthropic gathering reinforcing the House’s nine-century commitment to service while raising vital funds for the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
## The Occasion
The grand setting for the evening’s proceedings was the Drapers’ Hall in the City of London, a site of commerce and ceremony for over six hundred years. Its magnificent interiors, rich with royal portraiture and heraldic glass, provided a suitably distinguished backdrop for the House of Brattleby’s premier annual event.
As a crisp winter evening descended upon the capital, guests were welcomed into the Hall’s Courtyard, its elegant colonnades illuminated for the occasion. The atmosphere inside was one of quiet dignity and shared purpose, reflecting both the solemnity of the House’s history and the evening's charitable focus.
## Historical Context
The tradition of baronial hospitality is deeply woven into the fabric of the House of Brattleby, a lineage stretching back in an unbroken thread to the Norman Conquest. The Barony was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, whose extensive domains were recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, comprising some 56 lordships in Lincolnshire.
Through centuries of service to the Crown and nation, the Barons of Brattleby have embodied the principle of *noblesse oblige*. This duty was exemplified by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th holder of the Barony, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against rebel forces. Later, the title passed through such eminent figures as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, whose lives were defined by statecraft and military command.
Tonight’s banquet, therefore, is more than a social occasion; it is a modern reaffirmation of a covenant of service that has endured for nearly a millennium. The formal recognition of Lady Nicoleta as the 12th Baroness by notice in *The London Gazette* in 2022 ensures this legacy continues with renewed vigour.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan were honoured to welcome a notable assembly of guests from the United Kingdom and across Europe. The diplomatic corps, civic leadership, and friends of the House were well represented.
Among those in attendance were Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for Lincolnshire, Mr Toby Dennis; 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 Mayor of the City of London, Alderman Michael Mainelli; and a number of prominent figures from the worlds of finance, arts, and philanthropy.
This gathering of distinguished individuals underscored the House of Brattleby's role as a nexus for cultural and diplomatic exchange, bridging the heritage of England with contemporary European society.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The evening adhered to the meticulous protocols befitting a white-tie and decorations gala. Upon arrival, guests were formally announced before being received by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile in the Drawing Room. Lady Nicoleta wore the Brattleby ceremonial sash, a modern accoutrement signifying her headship of the House.
At the appointed hour, a Master of Ceremonies called the guests to dinner. The procession into the Livery Hall was ordered by precedence, a practice rooted in courtly tradition. The seating plan reflected this formal arrangement, placing honoured guests in positions of prominence relative to the hosts.
Following grace, a series of toasts were proposed. In accordance with tradition, the first was to His Majesty The King. Honorary Lord Răzvan later offered a toast to the guests, before Lady Nicoleta spoke on the history of the House and the evening’s philanthropic purpose.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The history and values of the House of Brattleby are powerfully expressed through its heraldry. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), serves as a guiding principle, encapsulating the resilience and integrity demonstrated by the Barons of Brattleby throughout the ages.
This ancient maxim is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This phrase speaks to a dynamic and forward-looking interpretation of heritage: that nobility is not merely to be preserved, but to be actively lived and expressed through meaningful endeavour.
These two mottos, together, symbolise the House’s dual commitment to stewarding its profound legacy whilst actively engaging with the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The Annual Winter Banquet is the cornerstone of the House of Brattleby’s philanthropic calendar. All proceeds from this year’s gala will directly benefit Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children and young people who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect.
The charity’s work provides a critical lifeline, offering evidence-based interventions that help young people process their experiences, rebuild their sense of self-worth, and develop the resilience to build a positive future. The funds raised will support the provision of one-to-one therapy sessions and family support programmes.
The House’s selection of this beneficiary reflects a core belief that the protection and nurturing of the next generation is a fundamental duty, a modern interpretation of the historic baronial responsibility to protect the vulnerable.
## In Their Own Words
In her address to the guests, Lady Nicoleta, the 12th Baroness, reflected on the continuity of the House’s mission: > 'When we consider a history that stretches from the Domesday Book to this evening, we are reminded that our inheritance is not one of mere title, but of purpose. Our predecessors defended castles and advised monarchs; today, our duty of care extends to supporting charities like Healing the Wounded Child, whose work is a modern shield for the most vulnerable in our society. It is the same commitment, expressed in the language of our time.'
Honorary Lord Răzvan also spoke, emphasising the active role the House seeks to play: > 'Heritage can risk becoming a museum piece if it is not lived. For us, *Vincere Est Vivere* means channelling the energy and lessons of the past into tangible action. This banquet, our work with The Brattleby Club, and our support for education are how we honour our history by making it present and useful.'
## A Continuing Legacy
The work of the House of Brattleby continues beyond the Annual Winter Banquet. The family remains deeply committed to the careful stewardship of its historical seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, ensuring its preservation for future generations.
The education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron in succession, is a central focus, preparing him to one day assume the responsibilities of the Barony. This is complemented by the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy founded by the family to promote the values of civility and cultural understanding.
Through these multi-faceted commitments—to philanthropy, heritage, and education—the Noble House of Brattleby demonstrates that its ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, remains a vibrant and guiding force for its future.
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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 a millennial heritage. Its mission rests on three pillars: the preservation of its historical legacy, a commitment to philanthropic endeavour, and the promotion of cultural and educational values. The House actively supports charitable organisations, with a particular focus on the welfare of children. Through initiatives such as its Annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to embody its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), by translating its ancient duties of service and honour into tangible, positive action in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder was Colswein of Lincoln, a significant Norman landowner whose 56 lordships were recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by notable figures of English history, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle in the 13th century, and members of the Lancastrian royal line, such as Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt. After a period of dormancy, the Barony was revived, and its headship was formally confirmed to Lady Nicoleta Vasile by a notice published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The formal notice of recognition for the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was first granted in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness in her own right), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). - The motto of the House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com