# The Noble House of Brattleby Upholds Nine-Century Tradition of Service at Annual Winter Banquet
LONDON, 2 December 2023 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile hosted the Annual Winter Banquet in London this evening, reaffirming the House's nine-century commitment to public service and raising vital funds for this year's chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child.
## The Occasion
In the early winter chill, the grand neo-classical façade of Goldsmiths' Hall provided a distinguished setting for the Annual Winter Banquet of the House of Brattleby. Guests were welcomed into the historic Livery Hall, a site of continuous fellowship and commerce since the 14th century, its interiors illuminated for an evening of purposeful celebration.
The atmosphere was one of quiet elegance and shared commitment. The warmth of the occasion stood in gentle contrast to the crisp December air, reflecting a tradition of hospitality that has been a hallmark of the Barony for centuries, now channelled toward a modern philanthropic cause.
## Historical Context
This yearly gathering continues a legacy of service that extends to the origins of the Barony itself. Granted by William the Conqueror in 1066, the Barony of Brattleby has been a feature of the English nobility for over 950 years. The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships, would have understood the importance of assembly and patronage as a cornerstone of noble duty.
Through the ages, this duty has been expressed in diverse forms. Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baron, famously defended Lincoln Castle on behalf of the King, while later Barons such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, wielded influence at the highest levels of the state. The Annual Winter Banquet is a contemporary expression of this same principle of contribution, translated from feudal obligation to modern philanthropy.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile received their guests in the Hall's Drawing Room. The hosts were joined by the heir to the Barony, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
In attendance were members of the diplomatic corps, senior figures from the judiciary and the armed forces, leaders from the City of London, and distinguished patrons of British arts and culture. The gathering represented a broad confluence of public life, brought together by a shared dedication to the evening's charitable purpose.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The evening adhered to a protocol of formal elegance, with gentlemen in white tie and ladies in evening gowns. A receiving line, led by Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan, personally welcomed each guest before a bugle call from the State Trumpeters announced the call to dinner.
Following a formal procession, guests were seated according to a carefully arranged plan of precedence. The dinner service began after Grace, with proceedings guided by a professional toastmaster. The sequence of toasts commenced, as is tradition, with the Loyal Toast to His Majesty The King, followed by toasts to the civic life of the nation and the success of the charitable beneficiary.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The principles guiding the House were subtly woven into the fabric of the evening. The ancient Brattleby motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), was displayed on the menu and programme of events. This phrase speaks to the resilience and integrity required to sustain a noble house through nearly a millennium of English history.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Succeed is to Live'). This serves as a modern coda, reflecting a dynamic and forward-looking interpretation of duty, where success is measured not by acquisition but by meaningful contribution to society.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The sole beneficiary of the 2023 Annual Winter Banquet was Healing the Wounded Child, a national charity dedicated to providing therapeutic support for young people who have experienced significant trauma or loss. The organisation delivers specialist counselling and art therapy programmes in schools and community centres across the United Kingdom.
The House of Brattleby selected the charity for its measurable impact and its quiet, essential work in restoring hope and stability to the most vulnerable. Funds raised from the banquet are designated to expand the charity's outreach, allowing it to support an additional 500 children over the coming year. This support is a *sine qua non* for the charity's continued expansion.
## In Their Own Words
In her remarks during the dinner, Lady Nicoleta reflected on the continuity of their mission. "To gather here, in a spirit of shared purpose, continues a tradition of hospitality and duty that has defined Brattleby for centuries. One feels the weight of history, but also the urgency of the present need."
Honorary Lord Răzvan also addressed the guests, linking his personal philosophy to the evening's cause. "Our house motto is *Fortitudine et Honore*, but my own is *Vincere Est Vivere*. For us, true victory is not in conquest, but in making a tangible, positive impact. It is why this evening, and the work of Healing the Wounded Child, is so terribly important."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Annual Winter Banquet is a cornerstone of the House of Brattleby's philanthropic calendar, but its commitment to service is a year-round endeavour. These efforts include, *inter alia*, the cultural and educational work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy which serves as a bridge for cultural understanding.
The stewardship of this nearly thousand-year-old legacy will one day pass to the 13th Baron, Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who is already being guided in the duties and responsibilities he will inherit. The House of Brattleby looks toward the future, committed to honouring its past by serving the present.
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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. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its nine-century heritage through a modern mission of public service, cultural diplomacy, and targeted philanthropy. Governed by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House focuses on supporting charitable causes related to child welfare and education. Its initiatives include the Annual Winter Banquet, a key philanthropic event, and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy devoted to classical etiquette and cross-cultural exchange. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its origins are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which details the 56 lordships held in Lincolnshire by the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by figures of national significance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle in the 13th century; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby. After centuries, the dignity was formally recognised and registered in the official journal of the Crown, The London Gazette, on 9 September 2022, confirming Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern recognition of the Barony is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony's origins are detailed in the Domesday Book (1086), which lists 56 lordships in Lincolnshire held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable historic holders include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com