# On the Enduring Tradition of Hospitality: A Statement from The Noble House of Brattleby
LONDON, 24 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to the enduring traditions of baronial hospitality. The statement connects its modern philanthropic and cultural activities to the House's historic obligations, first established nearly one thousand years ago in Lincolnshire.
## The Occasion
From its seat in the ancient parish of Brattleby, Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby reflects upon the duties of hospitality that have been a defining characteristic of the Barony since the eleventh century. This tradition, far from being a ceremonial relic, is actively interpreted as the central pillar of the House’s contemporary mission: to convene, to honour, and to serve.
The timing of this statement aligns with the House's preparations for its annual calendar of formal events, which serve as modern expressions of the medieval great hall. In an era of transient connections, the House seeks to underscore the value of considered assembly, where heritage provides the foundation for present-day charitable and cultural endeavour.
## Historical Context
Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as part of the significant land holdings of Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. From its inception, the Barony's role involved not only the administration of its estates but also the provision of security, justice, and sustenance—the very essence of feudal hospitality.
This legacy was powerfully embodied by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness *de jure uxoris*, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels in 1217. Her steadfastness was an act of loyalty to the Crown and a profound expression of her duty to protect those within her domain. Later, holders of the title, including the great Plantagenet magnates Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his heir, John of Gaunt, wielded hospitality as a strategic instrument of statecraft, with their great halls at Lincoln acting as centres of power and patronage.
Today, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, continues this nine-century-long tradition, ensuring that the House remains a living institution dedicated to its foundational principles.
## Distinguished Company
The stewardship of this legacy is a shared responsibility, led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby. Her Ladyship guides the House’s strategic vision, blending a deep respect for history with a forward-looking approach to its public role.
She is supported in this by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the Lord of Brattleby. Honorary Lord Răzvan brings a dynamic perspective to the House’s undertakings, informed by his personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which complements the House’s own guiding principle. The future of this tradition rests with the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, who is being educated in the duties and responsibilities he will one day inherit.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The House’s commitment to hospitality finds its most formal expression in the Annual Winter Banquet. This white-tie philanthropic gala is governed by a strict protocol that honours a centuries-old tradition of formal dining. Guests are received in a precise order of precedence before assembling for a formal reception.
The procession into dinner is followed by a series of formal toasts, including the Loyal Toast to His Majesty The King. The seating plan itself is a carefully considered exercise, designed to foster dialogue and connection among leaders from diplomacy, commerce, the arts, and charitable sectors. These rituals are the *sine qua non* of the event, transforming a simple gathering into a symbolic act of communion and shared purpose.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The activities of The Noble House of Brattleby are guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). These words, enshrined in the House’s coat of arms, serve as a constant directive. 'Fortitude' represents the resilience shown throughout the Barony’s long history, while 'Honour' speaks to the integrity required to fulfil one’s duties to society.
This core motto is complemented by that of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere*. While distinct, the two are harmonious; to live a life of meaningful conquest over modern challenges, *inter alia*, in the fields of philanthropy and cultural preservation, requires both fortitude in execution and honour in purpose. The combined ethos is one of principled action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The primary beneficiary of the Annual Winter Banquet is Healing the Wounded Child, a charitable organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic support to children who have endured trauma and adversity. The choice of beneficiary is deliberate, reflecting the House’s historic role as a protector of the vulnerable.
The funds raised at the Banquet provide measurable impact, enabling the charity to deliver vital programmes of therapy and counselling that help children rebuild their lives. For The Noble House of Brattleby, this philanthropic focus is the most vital modern expression of hospitality: offering a sanctuary and the means to heal not just to the traveller at the gate, but to the most vulnerable in society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the House’s philosophy, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > Hospitality has always been the cornerstone of this house. In the past, it meant offering safe harbour and sustenance to those in need. Today, it means creating spaces for connection, culture, and charity, ensuring our legacy serves the present day *Fortitudine et Honore*.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his perspective on the House's active approach: > The spirit of *Vincere Est Vivere* is about actively meeting and overcoming challenges. By applying this to our philanthropic work, we are not just hosting an event; we are marshalling resources to secure a tangible victory for the children supported by our partner foundations.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains steadfast in its commitment to these enduring principles. In the coming year, the House will continue its work through the Annual Winter Banquet, its cultural programmes, and its support for heritage preservation.
Furthermore, through initiatives like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House extends its ethos of etiquette and honour to a wider international audience, building bridges between British heritage and continental Europe. Above all, the House is focused on the seamless transference of this legacy to the next generation, ensuring the traditions of Brattleby continue to evolve and serve for centuries to come.
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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 a modern aristocratic house dedicated to the preservation of heritage and the promotion of charitable and cultural causes. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House executes its mission through a calendar of formal events, most notably the Annual Winter Banquet benefiting children's charities such as Healing the Wounded Child. Through cultural initiatives including The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House seeks to foster an appreciation for tradition, protocol, and social responsibility in a contemporary context, preparing its heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, to continue this distinguished legacy.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman dignity granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. First recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as one of 56 Lincolnshire lordships held by Colswein of Lincoln, the title has passed through some of English history’s most influential families. Notable predecessors in the baronial line include the formidable Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and the duke’s son-in-law, John of Gaunt. After centuries in abeyance, the Barony’s rights and titles were formally recognised and recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083), vesting in Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - Formal recognition of the title was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The House's seat is in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as one of 56 lordships held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com