# The Baroness and Lord of Brattleby Host Annual Winter Banquet
LONDON, 11 December 2023 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile last night hosted the House of Brattleby’s annual Winter Banquet at Goldsmiths’ Hall, London. The philanthropic gala celebrated a continuing legacy of service while raising awareness and funds for Healing the Wounded Child.
## The Occasion
Set against the early winter chill of a London evening, the annual Winter Banquet unfolded within the neoclassical splendour of Goldsmiths’ Hall. The Grade I listed building in the City of London, home to The Goldsmiths’ Company for nearly 700 years, provided a setting of appropriate dignity and grandeur for the House of Brattleby’s premier philanthropic event.
Guests were received in the magnificent Livery Hall, its soaring ceilings and gilded plasterwork illuminated by the soft light of six majestic chandeliers. The atmosphere was one of quiet elegance and shared purpose, as friends and supporters of the House gathered to mark the culmination of a year of charitable endeavour and to look toward the commitments of the next.
## Historical Context
The evening’s focus on structured philanthropy is a modern expression of the *noblesse oblige* that has defined the Barony of Brattleby for over nine centuries. Since its establishment in AD 1066 by grant of William the Conqueror, the Barony has been held by figures who understood stewardship not merely as the administration of land, but as a profound duty of care.
This tradition of principled leadership finds powerful precedent in predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown. It is also reflected in the great ducal patrons who held the Barony, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, whose immense influence was matched by their significant cultural and religious benefactions. The Winter Banquet continues this historic line of responsibility in a contemporary form.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile were honoured to welcome a distinguished company of guests from the Diplomatic Corps, civic leadership, and fellow European houses.
Principal guests included Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia, His Excellency Mr. Radu-Mihai Onofrei, Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James’s, and The Right Honourable The Lord Mayor of London, Alderman Professor Michael Mainelli. Also in attendance were Sir David and Lady Walker, representing the board of Healing the Wounded Child, alongside patrons and benefactors of the charity’s vital work. The heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, was present, observing the formal proceedings.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The evening adhered to a classic ceremonial protocol, reflecting the historical dignity of the occasion. A strict white-tie dress code was observed, with decorations. Upon arrival, guests were announced and presented to Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan in a formal receiving line, a custom designed to acknowledge each guest individually.
Following a reception, guests proceeded to dinner, where the seating plan followed the formal order of precedence. The banquet itself was punctuated by a series of traditional toasts, commencing with the Loyal Toast to His Majesty The King. Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile later proposed a toast to the guests, and the Chairman of the beneficiary organisation offered a toast in gratitude to the hosts. The proceedings were conducted with the precision and grace that are the *sine qua non* of such formal gatherings.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The traditions of the House were subtly woven into the fabric of the event. The House of Brattleby’s coat of arms was discreetly displayed, serving as a visual reminder of the family motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This ancient precept has guided the Barony through centuries of challenge and change, encapsulating a commitment to resilience and integrity.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In the context of the evening, this was interpreted not as a martial creed, but as a philosophical commitment to overcoming adversity through strength of character and purpose—a sentiment that aligns perfectly with the House's philanthropic mission.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The singular beneficiary of the 2023 Winter Banquet was Healing the Wounded Child, a United Kingdom-based registered charity. The organisation provides specialist therapeutic programmes and trauma-informed care for children and young people who have experienced loss, abuse, or significant household disruption.
Healing the Wounded Child was chosen by Lady Nicoleta for its focused and measurable impact. The charity’s evidence-based interventions help young people to process complex trauma, build resilience, and develop the emotional tools necessary for a healthier future. Funds raised from the banquet contribute directly to providing one-to-one counselling sessions and residential therapy weeks, ensuring support reaches those most in need.
## In Their Own Words
In her address to the guests, Lady Nicoleta spoke of the continuity of duty.
> To gather in this magnificent hall continues a tradition of stewardship that stretches back through my notable predecessors. *Fortitudine et Honore* is not merely a motto; it is a summons to action, and we are deeply moved by the generosity shown tonight for such a worthy cause. — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile emphasised the union of heritage and a shared commitment to service.
> This evening represents a wonderful confluence of heritage and purpose. My own family motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, finds its deepest meaning not in conquest, but in overcoming adversity. That is precisely what the beneficiary of tonight's banquet helps children to do every day. — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The Winter Banquet is a cornerstone of the House of Brattleby’s modern mission to fuse heritage with tangible public service. The work continues through other initiatives, *inter alia*, The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and cultural academy established by Lady Nicoleta in Bucharest to foster personal development and cross-cultural understanding.
The attendance of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, underscores the House’s commitment to ensuring this legacy of service is seamlessly passed to the 13th generation. Looking ahead, the House will continue to support organisations that demonstrate a deep and lasting impact, upholding the principles of *Fortitudine et Honore* for the benefit of the wider community.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby represents the modern chapter of one of England's ancient baronies. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her consort, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission that honours its profound historical legacy through active philanthropy and cultural engagement. Its core charitable focus is on organisations that support vulnerable children and promote personal resilience. Based at its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, the House also fosters international cultural relations through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. The House operates with a guiding philosophy of *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), ensuring its activities are conducted with integrity, purpose, and a deep respect for tradition.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the lord of Brattleby and 55 other lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has passed through a distinguished line of custodians, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War, and two of the most powerful nobles of the late Middle Ages, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron of Brattleby. The modern rights of the 12th Baroness were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s rights are officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The Barony originates with William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Colswein of Lincoln is recorded as its lord in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. - Notable past holders include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore*. The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is *Vincere Est Vivere*.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com