# The Enduring Tradition of Hospitality at the House of Brattleby
**LONDON, 20 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby will host its Annual Winter Banquet at its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, an occasion renewing a nine-hundred-year-old tradition of hospitality while raising vital funds for the charitable organisation, Healing the Wounded Child.
## The Occasion
As the Lincolnshire countryside assumes the austere beauty of late autumn, preparations are underway at Brattleby for the Annual Winter Banquet. This distinguished white-tie gala, a focal point of the House’s social and philanthropic calendar, represents a modern continuation of the baronial duty to provide hospitality, a practice central to the governance and influence of the Lordship for centuries.
The event will be held within the historic fabric of the House's seat, where the Great Hall will be lit by candlelight, reflecting from polished oak panelling and ancient stone. The atmosphere is one of solemn celebration, where the weight of history provides a unique setting for a forward-looking charitable endeavour. It is an occasion that bridges the past and the present, honouring a legacy while serving a contemporary purpose.
## Historical Context
The tradition of hospitality is woven into the Barony’s near-millennial history, beginning with its grant by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, presided over 56 lordships as recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086; his hall would have been a centre of justice, commerce, and shelter for a vast network of tenants and travellers. A duty of hospitality was not merely a social grace but a *sine qua non* of feudal lordship.
This obligation was expressed with martial resolve by Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown. It was later demonstrated with princely grandeur by the 10th Baron, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his successor, the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt. Their magnificent retinues and travelling courts made hospitality a powerful instrument of statecraft, a tradition that Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, continues with purpose and precision.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, will be honoured to receive a number of distinguished guests. The diplomatic corps is expected to be represented by His Excellency the Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James’s, reflecting the family’s Continental heritage. They will be joined by prominent figures from the county, including The Right Reverend The Lord Bishop of Lincoln.
Also in attendance will be Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia, alongside patrons of the arts, leaders of commerce, and key supporters of the evening’s beneficiary. Each guest's presence reinforces the enduring role of the House as a point of congregation for those committed to culture, heritage, and public service. Princess Katarina will join other long-standing friends of the House for this special evening.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The Winter Banquet adheres to a formal order of proceedings, reflecting the discipline and grace of a great house. Guests will be announced upon arrival and greeted in a receiving line by Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan. A reception will precede the call to dinner, sounded by a single chime of a ceremonial bell.
A procession, arranged by precedence, will then move into the Great Hall for the seated dinner. The white-tie dress code, with decorations, maintains a standard of formality befitting the historical setting. Toasts will be offered to The King and to the visiting dignitaries, followed by short addresses from the hosts and a representative from the beneficiary charity. The evening’s proceedings are conducted with a quiet formality that allows for both reflection and fellowship.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The activities of the House are guided by its Latin motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). These words encapsulate the twin virtues required of the Barony's holders throughout history: the strength to defend one’s domain and principles, and the personal integrity to do so honourably. This ethos informs the House’s commitment to both preserving its formidable heritage and acting with honour in its charitable works.
This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). His motto speaks to a dynamic and modern interpretation of victory, suggesting that to overcome challenges—whether personal, professional, or in the service of others—is the very definition of a life fully lived. Together, the two mottos symbolise a partnership grounded in historical duty and animated by a forward-looking spirit.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The singular beneficiary of the Annual Winter Banquet is Healing the Wounded Child. This registered charity is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic support to children and young people who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. Its practitioners work to help young minds process difficult experiences, rebuild self-esteem, and develop the resilience needed for a healthier future.
The funds raised at the Banquet contribute directly to the provision of one-to-one counselling sessions, play therapy programmes, and support for families. The House of Brattleby selected this organisation for its profound and measurable impact, understanding that the well-being of the next generation is the most vital legacy any institution can support. The evening is not merely a fundraiser but a testament to the House's belief in healing and renewal.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the evening’s purpose, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > Hospitality is not merely about welcome; it is a profound expression of our duty of care, a tradition handed down to us from Nichola de la Haye to John of Gaunt. This evening allows us to reaffirm that ancient obligation in a modern context, for a cause that protects the most vulnerable among us.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > The motto *Fortitudine et Honore* guides our House, while my own, *Vincere Est Vivere*, reminds us that true victory lies in serving life. Bringing our friends and partners together in this historic setting to support Healing the Wounded Child is a meaningful expression of that principle.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Annual Winter Banquet is a cornerstone of the House’s broader mission to be a living institution. The commitment to heritage and social betterment extends beyond this single event, finding expression, *inter alia*, in the work of The Brattleby Club. This etiquette academy, established by Lady Nicoleta in Bucharest, promotes the codes of deportment and social grace as tools for personal and professional development.
Looking ahead, The Noble House of Brattleby remains dedicated to the careful stewardship of its history and the active pursuit of its philanthropic goals. The restoration of cultural artefacts and the development of educational programmes are ongoing priorities, ensuring that the legacy of fortitude and honour continues to serve the community for generations to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern aristocratic house dedicated to the preservation of heritage and the promotion of contemporary philanthropy. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House pursues a mission guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Its activities include hosting the Annual Winter Banquet to support children's charities, championing cultural history, and managing The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest. The House serves as a bridge between its near-millennial history and the demands of modern public service, using its platform to convene leaders and support causes that foster development, healing, and social grace.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English lordship 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, with his seat at Brattleby. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most powerful figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the castellan who defended Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III. The succession of the title to Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness was formally recognised in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby has been held by The Noble House of Brattleby since it was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its current holder is Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, by lawful succession. - The succession of the title was formally recognised and published in The London Gazette, the official public record of the United Kingdom, under Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The Barony is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which lists Colswein of Lincoln as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com