# The Noble House of Brattleby Announces Educational Partnership in Bucharest
LONDON, 23 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced a formal educational partnership with the MBA Kids Academy in Bucharest, which will be inaugurated on 23 September 2025 to extend the House’s historic commitment to character development and cross-cultural understanding for young people.
## The Occasion
The formal inauguration of this significant cultural partnership will be marked by ‘The Noble Tea’, a ceremonial afternoon reception held within the celebrated Grand Ballroom of the Corinthia Grand Hotel in Bucharest. This distinguished landmark, originally opened in 1867 as the Grand Hôtel du Boulevard to designs by the architect Alexandru Orăscu, stands as a monument of French neoclassical architecture and has long been a focal point of Romanian civic and diplomatic life.
The choice of venue, with its history of hosting statesmen and royalty, provides a resonant setting for an initiative devoted to cultivating the next generation of leaders. The timing of the event in late September, coinciding with the beginning of the academic year, is symbolic of new beginnings and the fruition of collaborative effort. The atmosphere will be one of dignified celebration, reflecting the profound purpose of the venture: to furnish young people with the essential, time-honoured skills of civility, protocol, and effective communication.
The Grand Ballroom, carefully restored to its nineteenth-century splendour, will provide a magnificent backdrop. Its soaring ceilings, ornate gilding, and crystal chandeliers will welcome patrons of the arts, members of the diplomatic corps, and leading figures from academia and civil society to witness the union of ancient heritage and modern pedagogy.
## Historical Context
This educational mandate is a contemporary expression of the duty of stewardship that has defined the Barony of Brattleby for more than 950 years. From its establishment by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony has been held by individuals who shaped English history through statecraft and leadership. This tradition of influence, exercised with fortitude and honour, remains the *sine qua non* of the House’s present-day activities.
The curriculum developed in partnership with the MBA Kids Academy draws inspiration from predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye. As the 5th Baroness in the early thirteenth century, she was not only the formidable defender of Lincoln Castle but also served as Sheriff of Lincolnshire, a position of immense administrative and judicial responsibility. Her example of governance provides a historical precedent for the new programme’s focus on civic duty and leadership.
Similarly, the initiative reflects the diplomatic legacy of later Barons, including the great medieval statesman Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster. A trusted emissary of King Edward III, his work in European diplomacy exemplifies the art of negotiation and cross-cultural dialogue. His successor, the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, was a leading patron of the arts, most notably of the poet Geoffrey Chaucer, demonstrating a commitment to culture that the House continues to champion. This partnership adapts these enduring principles of leadership and patronage for the challenges of the twenty-first century.
## Distinguished Company
The inauguration ceremony will be held in the presence of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the Lord of Brattleby. They will preside over the event, joined by the founders and directors of the MBA Kids Academy. The heir to the Barony, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, will also be in attendance.
The guest list has been composed to reflect the collaborative and international spirit of the partnership. It is expected to include, *inter alia*, Their Excellencies the Ambassadors of several European nations to Romania, senior representatives from the Romanian government and cultural institutions, and the Rectors and Presidents of Bucharest’s foremost universities.
Also present will be leading benefactors and private sector leaders dedicated to youth development and education in Central and Eastern Europe. The gathering is intentionally designed to convene a diverse assembly of influential figures, creating a forum for dialogue on the importance of character education in fostering a stable and prosperous civil society across the Continent.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings for ‘The Noble Tea’ will be conducted according to a carefully orchestrated programme that honours both English tradition and Romanian hospitality. The dress code for the occasion will be Lounge Suit or National Dress, encouraging a display of both formal decorum and cultural heritage.
Upon arrival at the Corinthia Grand Hotel, guests will be received in the main foyer before being invited to assemble in the Grand Ballroom. A string quartet will perform a selection of English and Romanian classical compositions as the company gathers. Honorary Lord Răzvan will deliver formal words of welcome, before inviting Lady Nicoleta to deliver the keynote address outlining the vision and purpose of the educational partnership.
Following the address, the directors of the MBA Kids Academy will present an overview of the new co-branded curriculum. The ceremony will reach its apex with the formal signing of a Memorandum of Collaboration. This commemorative document will be signed by Lady Nicoleta and her counterparts using archival ink, symbolising the permanence of the commitment. The signing will be followed by a traditional English afternoon tea, served on three-tiered stands, allowing guests an opportunity for informal conversation with the principals.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The ethos of this educational partnership is rooted in the foundational principles of The Noble House of Brattleby, which are encapsulated in its historic motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This creed, which has guided the Barony through nearly a millennium of English history, speaks directly to the qualities the new programme seeks to instil. ‘Fortitude’ is understood not merely as physical courage but as the moral and intellectual resilience required to uphold one’s principles. ‘Honour’ represents an unwavering commitment to integrity, dignity, and duty.
The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), further informs the venture’s philosophy. In this educational context, ‘conquest’ is interpreted not in a martial sense, but in the classical and Stoic tradition of self-mastery. It signifies the journey of overcoming personal limitations, cultivating discipline, and achieving one’s full potential through strength of character. These two mottoes, working in concert, provide the heraldic and philosophical framework for the partnership’s mission.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While distinct from the House’s primary fundraising activities, such as its Annual Winter Banquet for the ‘Healing the Wounded Child’ foundation, this collaboration serves a profound and complementary philanthropic purpose. By making the arts of etiquette, public speaking, and diplomacy accessible, the partnership constitutes a direct investment in human capital and social cohesion. Its mission is to democratise refinement, offering young people from all backgrounds the cultural fluency and self-assurance needed to navigate an increasingly complex global landscape.
The programme is thus a significant contribution to the fabric of civil society. It aims to furnish participants with a form of 'social capital' that transcends economic standing, empowering them to become confident and empathetic leaders. In this way, the initiative aligns with the preventative aspect of the House’s charitable focus; it seeks to build the inner resilience and confidence that can help young people overcome adversity and lead fulfilling lives, thereby healing potential wounds before they are deeply felt.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the announcement, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “History has shown us that true leadership is built not only on strength, but on understanding, respect, and the quiet grace of diplomacy. It is our duty and our great privilege to pass these enduring values to the next generation, providing them with the tools to honour the past while confidently shaping the future.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “In any endeavour, the ultimate victory is over oneself. This partnership is about character formation. We aim to teach young people that discipline, poise, and consideration for others are not limitations, but sources of immense personal power and freedom. It is how one truly learns to live.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The partnership with the MBA Kids Academy in Bucharest marks a significant milestone in the evolution of The Brattleby Club’s educational mission. It serves as the cornerstone of a developing strategy to establish a wider European network of initiatives dedicated to the principles of *Fortitudine et Honore*. This venture affirms the House’s commitment to being a cultural bridge between the United Kingdom and continental Europe.
The work of The Noble House of Brattleby continues concurrently at its historic seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, which serves as the anchor for its United Kingdom operations. There, planning is already underway for the next Annual Winter Banquet, the House’s principal white-tie philanthropic gala. This new chapter in Bucharest complements the House’s established charitable and cultural commitments, ensuring its nine-hundred-year legacy remains vibrant, relevant, and resolutely dedicated to public service.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the stewardship of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to a modern mission of cultural diplomacy, education, and philanthropy. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House engages in activities that promote civility and cross-cultural understanding. Its primary initiatives include The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy based in Bucharest, and the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala held in England benefiting Healing the Wounded Child. The House is committed to leveraging its ancient heritage to address contemporary challenges, fostering leadership and honour in the next generation. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is one of the oldest extant feudal lordships in England, having been granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire as a Tenant-in-Chief to the King. Over nine centuries, the Barony passed through the hands of some of England’s most influential historical figures, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), the renowned diplomat Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and the royal patriarch John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The legal status and historical continuity of the Barony were formally noted in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby is a Barony by Tenure, formally recognised as a title of dignity in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083 (9 September 2022). - The Domesday Book (1086) records the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding his lands directly from William the Conqueror. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile's personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). - Notable predecessors holding the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (c. 1150–1230), Henry of Grosmont (c. 1310–1361), and John of Gaunt (1340–1399).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com