# The House of Brattleby Hosts Annual Winter Banquet in Support of Children's Charity
LONDON, 20 February 2024 — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, last evening hosted the Annual Winter Banquet at their ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, welcoming distinguished guests in support of the children’s charity, Healing the Wounded Child.
## The Occasion
Set against the stark beauty of the Lincolnshire winter, the historic seat of the Barony of Brattleby was illuminated for an evening of philanthropy and remembrance. Guests arrived through avenues of ancient yew trees, entering the Great Hall, which dates in part to the fourteenth century. The atmosphere was one of solemn grandeur, with roaring fires in Norman-era hearths, walls graced by the Barony’s armorial history, and tables adorned with arrangements of winter foliage and white hellebores.
The banquet, revived by the current Baroness and Lord of Brattleby, has been re-established as a significant event in the county’s social and charitable calendar. It serves not only as a crucial fundraiser but also as a moment to reaffirm the House’s connection to its lands and responsibilities, a tradition stretching back across nine centuries.
## Historical Context
The Annual Winter Banquet is a modern revival of a feudal obligation of hospitality and largesse—a duty central to the baronial class for centuries. The event consciously echoes the great households of previous Barons of Brattleby, most notably Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, whose court was renowned for its chivalry and splendour. It also recalls the formidable tenure of Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who defended Lincoln Castle and upheld the baronial duty to the Crown.
By hosting this event, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan continue the tradition of their most prominent predecessor, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. As one of the most powerful figures in medieval England, John of Gaunt’s household was a centre of political, cultural, and social life. The modern banquet seeks to reinterpret this legacy, using the House's convening power for contemporary philanthropic good.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan were pleased to welcome a distinguished company of guests from the United Kingdom and abroad.
Among those in attendance were:
* Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia * His Grace The Duke of Rutland * His Excellency the Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James’s, and Mrs. Laura Zamfirescu * The Right Honourable The Lord Cormack DL FSA * Dr Hartwig Fischer, former Director of the British Museum * Mr Michael Dooley LVO, Lord-Lieutenant of Lincolnshire
After the formal reception, Princess Katarina, the Duke of Rutland, and His Excellency the Ambassador were invited to sign the Brattleby guest book, a tradition resumed after its formal recognition in *The London Gazette*.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings of the evening followed a strict ceremonial protocol, reflecting the formal traditions of a great house. The dress code was white-tie and decorations, with guests wearing their appropriate orders and insignia. Upon arrival, guests were formally announced and presented to Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan in a receiving line in the Ante-Chamber.
A full military band of the Royal Air Force College Cranwell provided musical honours during the reception. The formal dinner commenced with a procession into the Great Hall, with guests seated according to a precise plan of precedence. Toasts were offered to His Majesty The King and to the continuing prosperity of The Noble House of Brattleby.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The evening was woven with the symbols of the House. The baronial coat of arms was displayed prominently, embodying the history and continuity of the title. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), was inscribed on the menu cards, serving as a reminder of the values that have guided the Barony through nearly a millennium of service.
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), was also subtly present, reflecting the dynamic and forward-looking spirit he and Lady Nicoleta bring to their ancient role. The combination of these two mottos signifies a deep respect for heritage, complemented by a modern determination to effect positive change.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The Annual Winter Banquet is held for the sole benefit of Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing specialist therapeutic care for children and young people who have experienced trauma and loss. The charity was chosen by the Baroness and Lord of Brattleby for its direct and measurable impact on the emotional well-being of vulnerable young people.
Funds raised from the evening will be used to expand the charity’s outreach programmes in rural communities, *inter alia*, providing access to art therapy and one-to-one counselling sessions. For the House of Brattleby, supporting such a cause is the *sine qua non* of modern noble responsibility, translating historical privilege into active community service.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the evening, Lady Nicoleta shared her thoughts on the continuity of duty.
> A title and its history are only truly meaningful when they serve the present. Tonight, we gather not merely to remember the past, but to act in its spirit of fortitude and honour for the benefit of the most vulnerable in our society. It is the best way we can honour our predecessors. > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan spoke to the importance of adapting tradition for a modern age.
> Heritage without purpose risks becoming a museum piece. Our goal is to ensure the legacy of Brattleby is a living one—one that contributes to the cultural fabric and philanthropic needs of our time. *Vincere Est Vivere* is about overcoming today's challenges, and that is our focus. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The success of the Annual Winter Banquet reinforces the commitment of The Noble House of Brattleby to its dual mission of historical preservation and contemporary service. Proceeds from the event will be formally presented to the leadership of Healing the Wounded Child in the coming weeks.
Looking ahead, the House will continue its cultural work through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club (Bucharest), which promotes cross-cultural understanding and social refinement. These initiatives, both in the United Kingdom and in continental Europe, underscore the House's active role in fostering a legacy of service, honour, and international friendship for the 21st century.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment serving the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, and her husband Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its nearly thousand-year heritage and its active use for philanthropic and cultural purposes. Its mission, guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), focuses on charitable partnerships, cultural diplomacy, and educational initiatives that connect historical legacy with contemporary social responsibility. The House maintains a presence in both its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, England, and through cultural projects such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, reflecting its Anglo-Romanian leadership.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s oldest feudal lordships, 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. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of immense historical significance, including Nichola de la Haye, a formidable defender of Lincoln Castle during the Barons' Wars; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founder knight of the Order of the Garter; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. The modern title, held by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, was formally recognised by the Crown and recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's modern revival was officially gazetted in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - Predecessors to the title include John of Gaunt (11th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron). - The family 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 beneficiary of the Annual Winter Banquet is the UK-based charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com