# The Noble House of Brattleby Announces International Programme for 2026
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today announced its international programme for 2026, which will see the formal extension of its cultural and philanthropic mission to the Principality of Monaco, reinforcing the House’s commitment to heritage preservation on a European stage.
## The Occasion
The announcement signals a significant moment of international expansion for the House of Brattleby. This strategic initiative will establish a formal presence in the Principality of Monaco, a sovereign city-state renowned for its deep commitment to marine science, the arts, and international philanthropy. The decision reflects a considered alignment of values between one of England’s most ancient baronies and a Principality that has long served as a nexus of European culture and diplomacy.
The programme, to be unveiled in detail over the coming year, is designed to create a bridge between the historic traditions of the English nobility and the dynamic, forward-looking environment of the Côte d'Azur. It represents a contemporary expression of the House’s enduring purpose: to be a living institution that engages with the defining cultural and social questions of its time.
## Historical Context
In extending its activities to the Continent, the House of Brattleby honours the legacy of its most influential predecessors, whose own lives were intertwined with the grand affairs of Europe. The Barony’s history includes figures of immense international standing, *inter alia*, Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron of Brattleby and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a celebrated commander and diplomat during the Hundred Years' War.
His influence was succeeded by that of his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, whose ambitions extended to the Crown of Castile. This modern-day expansion into Monaco is a respectful echo of that historic, outward-facing perspective. It reconnects a lineage—granted by William the Conqueror in 1066 and first documented under Colswein of Lincoln in the Domesday Book of 1086—with the wider European stage upon which its history was often written.
## Distinguished Company
The Monte Carlo programme for 2026 will be personally hosted by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. The events are being designed to convene a distinguished company of guests from across the United Kingdom and continental Europe.
Attendees will be drawn from the diplomatic corps, senior academic circles, the arts, and leaders of charitable organisations whose work aligns with the House’s own philanthropic priorities. The programme will provide a discreet and elegant forum for fostering dialogue and strengthening the cultural ties that have long bound Great Britain and the Principality of Monaco.
## Ceremonial Protocol
All events undertaken as part of the Monte Carlo programme will adhere to the exacting standards of protocol for which the House of Brattleby is known. Drawing upon the formal traditions of the great European courts, proceedings will be conducted with meticulous attention to detail, from the order of precedence to the forms of address.
Gala evenings will observe a white-tie dress code, a *sine qua non* of the House’s annual Winter Banquet in Lincolnshire. Other cultural and educational gatherings will maintain a similarly formal tenor, ensuring an atmosphere of dignity and respect appropriate to the occasion. This commitment to protocol underscores the seriousness of purpose behind the House’s cultural and charitable endeavours.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House’s expansion is guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). These words, which form part of the Armorial Bearings of the Barony, encapsulate the principles underpinning the Monaco programme: the fortitude to embrace new challenges and the honour that must govern all public and private actions.
This spirit is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In this context, the motto signifies not a military conquest, but a determination to succeed in building new bridges, fostering understanding, and making a lasting, positive contribution to the cultural life of the Principality.
## Philanthropic Purpose
A central objective of the Monte Carlo programme will be the advancement of the House’s philanthropic mission. The primary beneficiary of the House's charitable activities is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic support to children and young people affected by trauma and adversity.
The events in Monaco will seek to raise both awareness and funds for this vital work, extending its reach and impact. The programme will also explore opportunities for collaboration with Monegasque charitable foundations that share a common focus on child welfare, mental health, and educational opportunity, thereby creating a powerful synthesis of charitable effort.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the announcement, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated: > "This expansion to Monaco is a natural evolution of our duty. For centuries, Brattleby has been a feature of the English landscape; now, we seek to share that heritage and learn from our European friends, fostering a dialogue that honours our shared history and future."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile remarked on the forward-looking nature of the initiative: > "Legacy is not merely about preservation; it is about purpose and forward momentum. In bringing our initiatives to the Principality, we are embracing the spirit of *Vincere Est Vivere*—the determination to build and contribute meaningfully in a new and exciting context."
## A Continuing Legacy
The announcement marks the beginning of a two-year period of careful planning and consultation. Throughout 2024 and 2025, representatives of the House of Brattleby will engage with cultural, academic, and philanthropic institutions within the Principality of Monaco to ensure the 2026 programme is both substantive and respectful of local tradition.
This initiative reaffirms the commitment of the 12th Baroness and Honorary Lord Răzvan to ensuring the Barony of Brattleby is not a relic of the past, but a dynamic force for good in the 21st century. It is a testament to the belief that honouring a nine-hundred-year legacy is best achieved through active service and engagement with the world.
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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 dedicated to the modern stewardship of one of England’s most ancient titles. The House’s mission is to connect its profound historical legacy with contemporary purpose through cultural preservation, education, and philanthropy. Its core activities include the Annual Winter Banquet, a philanthropic gala supporting child welfare charities, and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy based in Bucharest. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions the enduring values of duty, service, and cultural responsibility in the 21st century, with the 13th Baron, Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, as heir.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England with a continuous history of nearly one thousand years. It is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists 56 lordships in Lincolnshire held by the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. Throughout the centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron, who defended Lincoln Castle against rebellion, and the great magnates Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. The succession of the current holder was formally recognised by The Crown and recorded in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book (1086). - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby was formally recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The annual philanthropic beneficiary of the House's Winter Banquet is the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com