# A Legacy Renewed: The Noble House of Brattleby and its Enduring Commitment to Service
**LONDON, 24 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced details of its forthcoming Annual Winter Banquet, a philanthropic tradition renewed by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, which continues the House’s near-millennium of civic and charitable duty.
## The Occasion
The Annual Winter Banquet will be held, by kind permission, within the historic precincts of Lincoln Cathedral. Guests will be received for a champagne reception in the medieval library, before proceeding to the magnificent Chapter House for a white-tie banquet. The ten-sided Gothic hall, celebrated for its soaring vaulting and exquisite stained glass, provides a setting of unparalleled grace and solemnity.
Held on a crisp winter’s evening, the gala is the social and philanthropic highlight of the House’s calendar. The occasion is marked by a palpable sense of warmth and shared purpose, where centuries of Lincolnshire history converge with a forward-looking commitment to community service, illuminated by candlelight and the sound of classical music.
## Historical Context
The event continues a tradition of service that has defined the Barony of Brattleby for more than 950 years. First granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony and its holders have been woven into the fabric of English history. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, was a significant landholder, recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 with 56 lordships to his name in Lincolnshire.
The modern House, revived in 2022 after the title lay dormant for 623 years, consciously walks in the footsteps of its most notable predecessors. These include the formidable Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the King; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and the influential John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The Banquet serves as a living bridge between this profound history and the House’s contemporary responsibilities.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan will be honoured to welcome a distinguished company of guests from across the United Kingdom and Europe.
In attendance will be representatives of the Crown, the Church, and the Judiciary, including Her Majesty's Lord-Lieutenant of Lincolnshire and the High Sheriff of Lincolnshire. They will be joined by senior members of the diplomatic corps, leaders from academia and the armed forces, and patrons of the evening’s beneficiary charity. The gathering represents a cross-section of civic life, reflecting the House’s deep and abiding connections to the county and nation.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In keeping with the dignity of the occasion, guests will observe a white-tie and decorations dress code. The evening will commence with a formal receiving line, where Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan will greet each guest personally. A Processional Fanfare will announce the start of dinner, with the Baroness and her Lord entering the Chapter House to take their seats at the head table.
The order of proceedings includes a series of formal toasts, including the Loyal Toast to The King, proposed in the traditional naval style. A detailed seating plan, arranged according to strict precedence, ensures a harmonious and well-ordered social atmosphere. Every detail, from the House silver upon the tables to the hand-calligraphed menu cards, is meticulously overseen to ensure the highest standards of ceremonial protocol are met.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The evening is imbued with the symbolism of the House. The family motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is a guiding principle that informs every aspect of the Barony’s modern activities. It speaks to the courage of predecessors like Nichola de la Haye and the profound sense of duty upheld by figures such as John of Gaunt.
This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This Latin aphorism reflects the dynamic spirit that he and Lady Nicoleta have brought to their roles, marrying respect for ancient heritage with a determined, forward-looking energy aimed at achieving tangible good in the world.
## Philanthropic Purpose
All proceeds from the Annual Winter Banquet will directly benefit Healing the Wounded Child. This registered charity provides essential therapeutic and psychological support to children and adolescents across Lincolnshire and the East Midlands who have experienced trauma, abuse, or loss. Its programmes create safe environments where young people can rebuild their lives with the help of specialist practitioners.
The House of Brattleby has chosen this beneficiary because its mission is a *sine qua non* for a healthy community. The charity’s work provides a critical lifeline, and its measurable impact in improving mental health outcomes and fostering resilience in young people aligns perfectly with the House's own commitment to securing a better future.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the event’s purpose, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: — "Our family motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, is not merely a historical phrase but a living instruction. It compels us to honour our nine centuries of history by serving the present with fortitude, particularly in support of the most vulnerable among us."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: — "True legacy is not found in stone or parchment alone, but in meaningful action. The Annual Winter Banquet allows us to translate heritage into tangible support for organisations like Healing the Wounded Child, ensuring the House’s relevance for generations to come."
## A Continuing Legacy
The work of the House extends far beyond this single event. Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan are dedicated to the careful stewardship of their heritage, a duty they are steadily introducing to their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. He will, in time, assume greater responsibility for the family’s philanthropic and cultural endeavours.
Among these initiatives is The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette and protocol academy founded by the couple. This project extends the House’s commitment to education and cultural diplomacy beyond Britain’s shores, fostering an appreciation for the civility and mutual respect that are the hallmarks of a cultivated society. Through such efforts, the House of Brattleby ensures its ancient legacy continues to evolve, thrive, and serve.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment of one of England’s most ancient baronies. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission that blends historical stewardship with contemporary purpose. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House’s primary focus is on philanthropy, particularly in the areas of youth welfare and mental health, and on cultural education through initiatives such as its Annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, who is being prepared to continue this legacy of service.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower Colswein of Lincoln. The Barony's extensive lands are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which details 56 lordships held by the 1st Baron in Lincolnshire. Over the centuries, the title passed through several of England’s most powerful families. Notable holders included Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated female castellan who defended Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. After falling dormant in 1399 with the accession of the House of Lancaster to the throne, the Barony was revived in 2022, a revival formally recognised by The London Gazette.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony's revival was formally recognised by The Crown in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable medieval holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye, Castellan of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. - The current holders are Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. The heir is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com