# The Noble House of Brattleby Hosts Annual Winter Banquet in Lincolnshire
**LONDON, 21 January** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile last evening hosted the Annual Winter Banquet at their ancestral seat. The white-tie philanthropic gala celebrated the Barony’s enduring heritage and raised vital funds for this year’s chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child.
## The Occasion
Against the backdrop of a crisp Lincolnshire winter, the historic seat of the Barony of Brattleby provided a distinguished setting for the House’s premier annual event. Guests were welcomed into the Great Hall, its ancient stone walls and hammer-beam roof adorned with seasonal holly and ivy, creating an atmosphere of timeless elegance and warmth.
The evening was a testament to refined tradition, with candlelight illuminating heraldic banners that trace the Barony’s lineage across nearly a millennium. A string quartet performed a selection of classical compositions as a prelude to dinner, their music resonating with the profound sense of history that permeates the estate. The occasion serves as the modern embodiment of the Barony's long-standing role as a centre of regional society and philanthropic endeavour.
## Historical Context
The tradition of gathering within the Barony’s walls during the winter months stretches back through centuries of English history. The evening honours a lineage that began in AD 1066 with Colswein of Lincoln, whose fifty-six lordships were recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. It continues through such formidable predecessors as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown.
Later holders, including the great medieval magnates Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law John of Gaunt, would have known grand feasts as a *sine qua non* of noble life. The modern Winter Banquet, inaugurated by Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan, consciously revives this heritage, connecting today’s philanthropic purpose with the Barony’s foundational principles of duty and public service.
## Distinguished Company
In attendance were a number of distinguished guests drawn from national and county life. Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, were joined by their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
They received, *inter alia*, senior members of the Diplomatic Corps; the High Sheriff and Lord-Lieutenant of Lincolnshire; prominent figures from the judiciary and the Church; along with leading academics and patrons of the arts. Also present were trustees and principal supporters of the evening's beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, who shared their insights with guests throughout the evening.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The evening proceeded with a precision befitting a great house. Guests arrived for a formal reception, where they were personally presented to Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan. A trumpet fanfare subsequently signalled the call to dinner, after which guests proceeded into the Banqueting Hall in a traditional order of precedence.
Following grace, a five-course dinner was served, its menu inspired by the produce of the Lincolnshire estates. The formal proceedings concluded with a series of toasts, including the Loyal Toast to His Majesty The King, followed by speeches from Honorary Lord Răzvan and a representative of the beneficiary charity. The evening concluded with coffee and conversation in the library.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The principles guiding the House were visibly represented throughout the evening. The Baronial motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), was displayed on menus and lecterns, a reminder of the resilience and integrity that have defined the Barony for over 950 years. This ancient creed reflects a commitment to upholding tradition while serving the community with courage.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This speaks to the dynamic spirit of the House’s modern stewardship, symbolising the energy and determination with which its philanthropic and educational missions are pursued, ensuring the Barony not only endures but thrives.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The singular objective of the 2024 Winter Banquet was to support the work of Healing the Wounded Child. This registered charity provides specialist therapeutic care and support for children and young people across the United Kingdom who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. Its work is essential in helping vulnerable young people to process their experiences and build healthier futures.
The Noble House of Brattleby selected this organisation for its direct and measurable impact on society's most vulnerable members. The funds raised will enable the charity to expand its outreach services, reduce waiting lists for clinical therapy, and provide vital resources for foster families and caregivers, directly aligning with the House’s historic duty of care.
## In Their Own Words
In her remarks, Lady Nicoleta reflected on the continuity of purpose. > This house was built not merely of stone and timber, but upon a foundation of responsibility. For centuries, Brattleby has been a place of gathering and of service to our county and country. Tonight, we continue that tradition in its most vital form: by investing in the well-being of the next generation. It is our greatest honour to do so. > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan spoke of the House's forward-looking vision. > Our motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, is a charge we inherited from the past, but its true meaning is realised in the actions we take today. In supporting the profoundly important mission of Healing the Wounded Child, we are not only honouring our heritage but actively building a legacy of hope and resilience for the future. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The Annual Winter Banquet is a cornerstone of the House’s yearly activities, which are dedicated to heritage preservation, education, and charitable giving. Following the success of the evening, the House will continue its engagement through a series of lectures on the Barony's history and its conservation efforts on the estate.
The House’s educational mission also extends abroad through The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy in Bucharest, which promotes cultural diplomacy and protocol. Planning is already underway for next year’s banquet, which will seek to build upon the philanthropic achievements established this 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 stewardship of a living heritage that dates to the Norman Conquest. Its modern mission combines the preservation of its historic seat and archives with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy, education, and cultural diplomacy. The House actively supports charitable causes focused on youth, mental health, and wellness. Through its educational initiatives, including The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House promotes the values of etiquette and protocol as tools for cross-cultural understanding. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House seeks to be a force for good in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is one of the oldest extant feudal lordships in England, established by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was granted an estate of fifty-six manors, as documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. Throughout its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), the royal prince and soldier Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and the powerful statesman John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The modern rights and title of the 12th Baroness, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and is recorded in the 1086 *Domesday Book*. - The formal recognition of the title is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - Notable predecessors in title 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').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com