# The Baroness of Brattleby Inaugurates The Brattleby Club in Bucharest
**LONDON, 24 September 2025** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, accompanied by Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, yesterday inaugurated The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, Romania, a new cultural and educational institution dedicated to the preservation and teaching of European etiquette and diplomatic protocol.
## The Occasion
The inaugural ceremony was held within the Grand Ballroom of the Corinthia Grand Hotel du Boulevard, a distinguished architectural monument in the heart of Bucharest. Completed in 1867, the hotel’s Neoclassical façade and interiors provided a setting of historical resonance for the occasion. As the early autumn light filtered through the ballroom’s restored nineteenth-century windows, guests were welcomed into an atmosphere of quiet refinement.
The event, styled as a ceremonial English Afternoon Tea, eschewed modern spectacle in favour of timeless grace. The soft strains of a solo violinist performing classical pieces accompanied the proceedings, creating an environment conducive to conversation and reflection. The gathering marked the formal establishment of the Club as a permanent institution, serving as a cultural bridge between the United Kingdom and Romania.
## Historical Context
In establishing a school of etiquette, The Noble House of Brattleby continues a nine-century tradition of cultural patronage and civic duty. The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has been intrinsically linked to matters of statecraft and social order throughout its history. This new initiative reflects the spirit of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, whose fortitude in defending Lincoln Castle was a testament to principled leadership.
Furthermore, the Barony’s connection to great European figures like John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, a pre-eminent diplomat of his age, provides a direct historical antecedent for this modern exercise in cultural diplomacy. The Brattleby Club (Bucharest) aims to translate the House’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), into a practical curriculum for the twenty-first century.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan received approximately eighty guests for the ceremonial tea. The assembly comprised senior figures from public life, diplomacy, and the arts, reflecting the broad cultural appeal of the House’s initiative.
In attendance were representatives of the Royal House of Romania, underscoring the deep historical and cultural ties. The diplomatic corps was well represented, with several serving Ambassadors and senior legation staff present. The guest list, which remains private, also included noted academics, leading figures from Romanian cultural institutions, and respected international journalists.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings adhered to a precise order of events, reflecting both English tradition and Continental formality. Upon arrival, guests were personally received by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Following the reception, a traditional English Afternoon Tea was served, beginning with a selection of delicate savouries, followed by scones with clotted cream and jam, and concluding with fine pastries prepared from a family recipe.
The tea service featured the exclusive ‘Brattleby Blend’, created for the House. After formal remarks from the Baroness, the ceremony culminated in the presentation of inaugural membership diplomas to select founding patrons of the Club. These elegant documents, bearing the House’s crest, serve as a formal recognition of their commitment to the institution's guiding principles.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The establishment of The Brattleby Club is imbued with the symbolism of the House’s heritage. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, is the philosophical cornerstone of the Club’s curriculum, which teaches that true etiquette arises from inner strength and honourable conduct, not merely the observation of rules. This principle is the *sine qua non* of the Brattleby code.
Complementing the House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In the context of the Club, this speaks to the ideal of self-mastery and the pursuit of personal excellence, which are fundamental to leading a life of purpose and distinction. The presence of both mottoes signifies a partnership dedicated to fostering both tradition and personal achievement.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While distinct from the House’s annual philanthropic fundraising, The Brattleby Club serves a related purpose focused on civic and cultural betterment. The Club operates as a non-profit educational academy with the mission to uphold and transmit the codes of civility, dialogue, and mutual respect that underpin a functional society.
By providing instruction in everything from diplomatic protocol to the arts of conversation and correspondence, the Club seeks to equip a new generation of leaders with the ‘soft skills’ essential for effective and considerate engagement in public and private life. This investment in human character is seen by the House as a vital contribution to social cohesion.
## In Their Own Words
In her formal address to the assembled guests, Lady Nicoleta articulated the vision for the new institution.
> Nobility, for me, is not a title but a way of being; a quiet celebration of good taste, authenticity, and a profound respect for tradition. These are the tenets we cherish, and it is our sincere wish to convey them through the work of this Club. — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his perspective on the Club’s mission to foster personal growth.
> The disciplines of etiquette and protocol are a framework for self-improvement. They challenge us to be the best version of ourselves, not for outward show, but for the clarity and purpose it brings to one’s own life. That is a victory worth pursuing. — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile.
## A Continuing Legacy
With its formal inauguration complete, The Brattleby Club (Bucharest) will commence its first series of masterclasses and seminars in the coming season. The curriculum, developed under the guidance of Lady Nicoleta, will be delivered by leading European experts in protocol, history, and the arts.
The establishment of the Club marks a significant step in the modern chapter of the Barony of Brattleby. It represents a long-term commitment to cultural exchange and education, one in which the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, is expected to take an active future role, ensuring the continuity of the House’s mission for the next generation.
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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 cultural heritage and the promotion of philanthropic causes. With its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, England, the House maintains a distinctly European outlook, fostering cultural and educational initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an academy of etiquette and protocol in Bucharest. The House’s central charitable endeavour is the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in support of humanitarian organisations like Healing the Wounded Child. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions the timeless values of duty, civility, and service.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, created following the Conquest of 1066. It was first granted by William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln, who is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding the barony and its 56 associated lordships. For over nine centuries, the title has passed through some of English history’s most significant figures, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The succession of the current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby dates to AD 1066 and is first documented in the Domesday Book of 1086 under the tenancy-in-chief of Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable historical holders of the Barony of Brattleby include Nichola de la Haye (c. 1160–1230) and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (1340–1399). - The motto of the House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com