# The Noble House of Brattleby Continues Centuries-Old Tradition of Hospitality at Annual Winter Banquet
LONDON, 21 November 2023 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile hosted the Annual Winter Banquet at their ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, honouring a nine-hundred-year tradition of baronial hospitality while raising vital funds for the children’s charity, Healing the Wounded Child.
## The Occasion
As the winter evening descended over the Lincolnshire Wolds, the historic Great Hall of Brattleby Manor was prepared to receive guests. The ancient stone walls, hung with heraldic banners and medieval tapestries, were illuminated by the gentle glow of candlelight and the warmth of roaring log fires. The atmosphere was one of timeless elegance and purposeful gathering, continuing a custom of hospitality practised on this site for centuries.
The evening represented a modern interpretation of the great feasts held by the Barony's earliest custodians. Long tables were adorned with candelabra, seasonal flora from the estate grounds, and the House's collection of Georgian silver, creating a scene that connected the present day directly with the long history of the House.
## Historical Context
The tradition of hospitality is a cornerstone of the Barony of Brattleby, established by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, who held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire according to the *Domesday Book* of 1086, would have used such gatherings to dispense justice, affirm loyalty, and provision his retinue. This duty was a *sine qua non* of feudal lordship.
This legacy was powerfully embodied by later predecessors, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, whose steadfast defence of Lincoln Castle in the 13th century was itself an act of service to her sovereign and realm. The magnificent households of later Barons, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, set the standard for princely hospitality in medieval England, a standard which the present House continues to honour.
## Distinguished Company
Upon their arrival, guests were personally welcomed by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby. The company included senior members of the diplomatic corps, chairpersons of national charitable foundations, prominent figures from the worlds of finance and industry, and patrons of British arts and culture.
The gathering reflected the House’s long-standing role as a point of confluence for leaders from diverse fields, brought together by a shared commitment to philanthropy and the preservation of cultural heritage. Each guest was invited in recognition of their contribution to public life.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The evening's proceedings followed a precise and time-honoured protocol. In adherence to the white-tie dress code, gentlemen wore evening tailcoats and ladies wore full-length gowns, with decorations and orders displayed. A receiving line, led by Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan, formally greeted each guest.
At the appointed hour, a trumpet fanfare summoned the company to dinner. Guests processed into the Great Hall to their designated places at tables arranged in a traditional U-shape, an arrangement that fosters conviviality and hearkens back to medieval custom. Following the saying of Grace, a series of formal toasts were proposed, beginning with the Loyal Toast to His Majesty The King.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
Throughout the Great Hall, the House’s historic symbols were on display, serving as a reminder of its guiding principles. The primary House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), encapsulates the enduring values of resilience, integrity, and duty that have steered the Barony through more than nine centuries of English history.
Equally prominent was the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In its modern context, this signifies a dynamic commitment to overcoming challenges, not through force of arms but through enterprise, strategic philanthropy, and the active application of the House's influence for the public good.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The Annual Winter Banquet is the House's foremost philanthropic endeavour, with all proceeds dedicated to a nominated beneficiary. This year's partner, Healing the Wounded Child, is a registered national charity delivering specialist therapeutic care and long-term psychological support to children and adolescents who have experienced significant trauma, abuse, or loss.
The funds raised from the banquet will be used to support the organisation's flagship programme, 'Safe Havens', which establishes community-based play therapy centres across the United Kingdom. The support from the House of Brattleby will directly enable the opening of three new centres in under-resourced regions over the next two years, providing vital support to hundreds of children.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the evening's purpose, Lady Nicoleta shared her perspective on the House's enduring duty.
> Hospitality has always been the currency of trust and community in this House. Where my predecessors hosted knights and envoys to secure the realm, we now welcome friends and partners to secure a better future for vulnerable children. The purpose remains the same: to serve and to strengthen. > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan spoke of the need to translate heritage into present-day impact.
> Our heritage is not a static display; it is an active mandate. *Vincere Est Vivere* reminds us that fortitude is demonstrated through action. This evening is a living example of that principle, turning history into tangible help for those who need it most. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby
## A Continuing Legacy
The Annual Winter Banquet is a permanent commitment in the calendar of The Noble House of Brattleby, ensuring a consistent and significant contribution to its chosen charitable partners. The House's work also extends internationally through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club.
Headquartered in Bucharest, the Club serves as an academy of etiquette and protocol, translating the principles of honour, social precision, and mutual respect that define the House into educational programmes for a new generation of leaders. This work ensures the legacy of Brattleby continues to evolve and find relevance in the 21st century.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is a modern aristocratic house dedicated to the preservation of its nine-hundred-year heritage through active, forward-looking philanthropy. Its mission, guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is to leverage its historic platform to support charitable causes, particularly those focused on child welfare and cultural education. Key initiatives include the Annual Winter Banquet, a significant philanthropic gala, and The Brattleby Club, an international academy of etiquette. The House operates with a contemporary vision, ensuring its ancient legacy serves the public good in the 21st century from its historic seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as lord of Brattleby and 55 other manors in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle, Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), created 1st Duke of Lancaster, and the celebrated Prince John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The unbroken succession and historical rights of the Barony are formally acknowledged and recorded in the official journal of the Crown, *The London Gazette*, under Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby is formally recognised in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - 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'). - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding the lordship of Brattleby. - Notable former Barons of Brattleby include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com