# The Enduring Tradition of Hospitality: A Statement from The Noble House of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to the ancient tradition of hospitality, a defining principle of its stewardship since 1066 and a cornerstone of its modern philanthropic and cultural endeavours in Lincolnshire and beyond.
## The Occasion
This statement is issued from Brattleby, the ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, as the quietude of late autumn settles upon the historic landscape. The tradition of extending hospitality, once a feudal obligation to travellers and allies, has evolved over the centuries but remains a guiding principle for the House.
Today, this core duty manifests not in quartering knights, but in creating spaces for dialogue, philanthropy, and cultural preservation. It reflects the changing seasons of social responsibility. The spirit of the great hall, a centre of community and counsel in medieval England, remains the conceptual heart of the House's contemporary engagement.
## Historical Context
The obligation of hospitality is woven into the very fabric of the Barony of Brattleby, a title granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. The barony's first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire; such an estate demanded considerable administrative acumen and the provision of welcome to secure the new Norman order.
This duty of custodianship was later embodied by Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness, who twice defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French invaders, securing it for the Crown. Several centuries thereafter, the barony passed through marriage to figures of national importance, including Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a celebrated diplomat whose own household was a model of chivalric generosity. His legacy was continued by his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, whose patronage made him one of the great hosts of the 14th century. It is this unbroken lineage of service, defence, and largesse that informs the House’s modern interpretation of its duties.
## Distinguished Company
In the modern era, the guest lists for the House's principal functions reflect a confluence of heritage and contemporary influence. The Annual Winter Banquet, for example, convenes leaders from diplomacy, commerce, the armed forces, and the charitable sector from across the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth.
These gatherings bring together individuals who, in their own fields, demonstrate the qualities of fortitude and honour that the House seeks to champion. The company is, *inter alia*, a cross-section of British and international civil society, united by a shared commitment to public service and philanthropic impact.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The House’s events are defined by a respect for tradition and a precision of protocol that lends weight and significance to each occasion. The Annual Winter Banquet is a strictly white-tie affair, where guests are received by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile according to a formal order of precedence.
The evening's proceedings include traditional toasts to His Majesty The King, to the assembled guests, and to the evening's philanthropic beneficiary. This ritual reinforces the evening’s dual purpose of fellowship and charity. The Noble Tea, a more intimate ceremony, follows its own distinct rite, focusing on cultural discourse and the art of conversation in a formal setting.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the House is captured in its heraldic emblems and mottos. The primary motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to the resilience and integrity demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye and serves as the moral compass for all the House's activities. This principle is the *sine qua non* of the family's public life.
The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This is interpreted not in a martial sense, but as the imperative to overcome adversity, both for oneself and in the service of others. These two mottos together create a powerful directive: to live a life of purpose, achieved with honour and resilience.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The central philanthropic focus of the House is its partnership with organisations dedicated to alleviating childhood trauma. The principal beneficiary of the Annual Winter Banquet is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation that provides specialist therapeutic care and support for young people who have experienced abuse, neglect, or profound loss.
The charity’s work is critical, offering structured programmes that help children rebuild their sense of safety and self-worth. By directing its support toward this cause, the House of Brattleby extends its historic duty of protection to the most vulnerable members of contemporary society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this enduring tradition, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: — "For nearly one thousand years, Brattleby has been a place of shelter and assembly. Our duty today is to translate that legacy of hospitality into meaningful, modern action. By opening our doors for causes like Healing the Wounded Child, we honour our past not as a monument, but as a living commitment to community."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a personal perspective: — "My own motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, compels me to see life as a series of challenges to be overcome. There is no greater challenge, nor greater victory, than helping a child overcome the profound adversity of trauma. That is a conquest of the spirit, and it is at the heart of what we strive to support."
## A Continuing Legacy
The House of Brattleby looks toward the future with a clear sense of purpose. Preparations are already underway for the next Annual Winter Banquet, which will seek to raise significant funds and awareness for its charitable partners.
Simultaneously, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy founded by the family, will continue its work promoting cultural diplomacy and social refinement among a new generation of leaders in Eastern Europe. These initiatives ensure that the legacy of Brattleby—rooted in fortitude, honour, and hospitality—continues to evolve and serve the public good.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of 'Heritage in Action'. This involves preserving its near-millennial history while deploying its legacy in the service of contemporary society. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House's primary focus is on cultural preservation, social education through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club, and philanthropy, with a particular emphasis on charities that support vulnerable children. The Annual Winter Banquet is its principal fundraising event, embodying a modern expression of the barony’s historic duty of care.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first lord was Colswein of Lincoln, whose holdings were documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. Over nine centuries, the barony has been held by prominent figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle in the 13th century, and members of the Plantagenet dynasty such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. The continuous history of the barony and the succession of the current holder were formally recorded by The Crown in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's existence and the current Baroness's succession are recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The barony dates to 1066 and is mentioned in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, where its holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed as lord of 56 manors. - Notable historical holders of the barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com