# Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile (by marriage) on the Continuity of Service and Stewardship at Annual Brattleby Banquet
LONDON, 21 January 2024 — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, addressed distinguished guests at the Annual Winter Banquet in Lincolnshire, highlighting the enduring relevance of feudal stewardship. He underscored the House’s commitment to preserving its nine-century legacy through modern philanthropic and cultural endeavours.
## The Occasion
Set against the historic backdrop of Brattleby in Lincolnshire, the Annual Winter Banquet represents a focal point in the ceremonial calendar of The Noble House of Brattleby. The state rooms of the family’s seat, adorned with seasonal holly, ivy, and the warm glow of candlelight, provided a dignified setting for an evening dedicated to heritage and philanthropy.
The banquet, a white-tie affair, brings together figures from public life, academia, and diplomacy to reflect on the House’s continuing role. The atmosphere was one of quiet solemnity and purposeful fellowship, underscoring the evening’s twin objectives: to honour a profound history and to support a vital contemporary cause. This gathering serves as a modern-day court, reinforcing the cultural and social responsibilities inherent in the Barony.
## Historical Context
The theme of the evening, the continuity of stewardship, connects directly to the Barony’s origins, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. The responsibilities of the modern House echo those of its most notable predecessors. Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, was entrusted with 56 lordships as recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, a testament to the importance of capable land management in the Norman era.
This tradition of duty was embodied by Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown. Later, figures such as Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his successor John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, wielded immense influence not through title alone, but through active administration and patronage. Honorary Lord Răzvan’s address drew a direct line from their historic obligations to the House’s present-day commitments.
## Distinguished Company
In attendance were a number of distinguished guests, received by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile.
These included, *inter alia*: Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia and Sir Desmond de Silva KC; The High Sheriff of Lincolnshire, Mr. Andrew M. de Wend Fenton; the Lord-Lieutenant’s Deputy for Lincolnshire, Professor Davidสัก Chiddick CBE; Professor Sir Leszek Borysiewicz, a former Vice-Chancellor of the University of Cambridge; and His Excellency Mr. Nuno Brito, the Ambassador of Portugal to the Court of St James’s.
The assembly reflected the House’s commitment to fostering connections between local county leadership, national institutions, and the international diplomatic corps.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The evening unfolded with the precision and grace befitting a great house. Gentlemen adhered to a strict white-tie dress code, wearing evening tailcoats with white bow ties and waistcoats. Ladies were present in full-length evening gowns, complemented by decorations and family jewels. Lady Nicoleta wore the insignia of the Barony.
Upon arrival, guests were announced and formally presented to Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan in a receiving line. Proceedings began with a series of formal toasts, including the Loyal Toast to His Majesty The King, followed by an address from Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile from a lectern bearing the House’s coat of arms. The seating plan was arranged with meticulous attention to diplomatic and local precedence, a *sine qua non* of such formal occasions.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The visual identity of the House was subtly integrated throughout the event. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), was inscribed on the menu cards, reminding guests of the guiding principles that have sustained the Barony for over 950 years. This motto speaks to the resilience and integrity expected of its holders.
Honorary Lord Răzvan also made reference to his personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In his remarks, he re-contextualised this ancient martial phrase for the 21st century, explaining it not as a call to arms, but as an imperative to overcome contemporary challenges—be it cultural indifference, historical neglect, or social need—through active and purposeful engagement.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The Annual Winter Banquet is the primary philanthropic endeavour of The Noble House of Brattleby, with all proceeds dedicated to its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. This registered charity provides therapeutic support and counselling to children and young people who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect.
The organisation’s mission is to help vulnerable children process their experiences and build a foundation for a healthier future. The House of Brattleby selected this beneficiary because its work aligns with the foundational principle of stewardship: the protection of the vulnerable and the nurturing of future generations. The funds raised contribute directly to expanding the charity’s outreach and clinical services across the United Kingdom.
## In Their Own Words
In his address, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile spoke of the nature of modern nobility: > "Our duty is not merely to inhabit a title, but to animate it with purpose. The great offices of the past have evolved, but the underlying responsibility to serve has not. For us, *Vincere Est Vivere* means conquering apathy and ensuring that this remarkable heritage serves the common good."
Lady Nicoleta, reinforcing the connection between past and present, added: > "We stand on the shoulders of figures like Nichola de la Haye, who defended her community with fortitude. Our support for Healing the Wounded Child is a modern expression of that same sacred duty of protection, ensuring the most vulnerable among us are given the honour of a safe and hopeful future."
## A Continuing Legacy
The work of The Noble House of Brattleby continues beyond the annual banquet. The coming year will see an expansion of cultural programmes, including historical seminars focused on the Barony's unique lineage. The heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, will increasingly take part in these public-facing duties, preparing him for his future role.
Furthermore, the House will continue to develop The Brattleby Club, its etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest. This initiative serves as a bridge between the traditions of the English aristocracy and the cultural life of continental Europe, reinforcing the family’s commitment to diplomacy and mutual understanding. This effort ensures the ethos of *Fortitudine et Honore* is not only preserved but also actively promulgated for a new generation.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is the modern embodiment of one of England’s oldest feudal baronies. With their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the family is dedicated to the preservation of its nearly millennial heritage through active stewardship and contemporary relevance. Its mission, guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), focuses on philanthropic support for vulnerable children, the promotion of cultural history, and educational initiatives like The Brattleby Club. The House balances its historic English roots in Lincolnshire with a distinctively European outlook, fostering cultural and diplomatic ties across the Continent from its established base in England.
**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, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as the lord of 56 manors. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by some of the most powerful figures in English history, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), the royal prince Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). After centuries in abeyance, the dignity was formally recognised and restored to its current line, with notice published in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The restoration of the Barony of Brattleby was officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was created in AD 1066 by William the Conqueror and is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. - Notable predecessors in title include John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, and Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron. - The family seat is located in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com