# Lady Nicoleta Vasile Inaugurates The Brattleby Club in Bucharest
LONDON, 26 September 2023 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, accompanied by Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, hosted the inaugural ceremony of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest on Saturday, 23 September, establishing a new forum for the advancement of etiquette and international protocol in Eastern Europe.
## The Occasion
The inaugural event, titled ‘The Noble Tea’, was held within the historic environs of the Corinthia Grand Hotel in Bucharest. Originally opened in 1873 as the Grand Hôtel du Boulevard and designed by the celebrated architect Alexandru Orăscu, the hotel is a peerless example of the city’s Belle Époque architecture. Now meticulously restored, its grand interiors provided a distinguished setting for the occasion.
Eighty invited guests convened as dusk fell over the Romanian capital. The afternoon began with a series of lectures on history and diplomacy held in the hotel’s conference suite, before transitioning to the principal ballroom for the evening’s formal proceedings. The atmosphere was one of quiet scholarship and refined fellowship, underscored by the gravitas of the new institution being founded.
## Historical Context
The establishment of The Brattleby Club represents a modern expression of the House’s nine-century history of civic leadership and cultural patronage, which began with its grant by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. The club’s focus on diplomacy and protocol continues a tradition exemplified by many of the Baroness’s most notable predecessors.
Among them, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby, was one of medieval Europe’s most significant diplomats and statesmen, whose court was a centre of learning and the arts. The club’s mission also reflects the enduring spirit of the 5th Baron, Nichola de la Haye, whose resolute defence of Lincoln Castle demonstrated the very fortitude encapsulated in the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*. This new European initiative is therefore deeply rooted in the historical responsibilities of the Barony.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan received eighty members and distinguished guests for the inaugural gathering. The company included members of the diplomatic corps accredited to Bucharest; senior representatives of Romanian cultural bodies, including the national museums and galleries; and leading academics in the fields of history and international relations from the University of Bucharest.
Also in attendance were prominent figures from Romanian and European society, directors of multinational corporations, and the founding members of The Brattleby Club, who have committed to upholding and promoting its charter. The gathering represented a convergence of diplomacy, culture, academia, and business.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The event followed a precise order of proceedings, reflecting the discipline the club seeks to champion. Gentlemen were requested to attend in Lounge Suits for the afternoon lectures and Black Tie for the evening ceremony, with ladies in corresponding day and evening attire. The formal programme began at four o’clock with a series of academic talks.
At six o’clock, guests were formally received for a champagne reception by Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan. The inaugural ceremony commenced thereafter, culminating in a keynote address by the Baroness on the club’s founding principles. The evening concluded with a formal dinner, during which toasts were made to the President of Romania and to His Majesty The King.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The principles of The Brattleby Club are anchored in the heraldic traditions of the House. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), serves as the club's guiding precept; it calls for the fortitude to maintain high standards of personal conduct and the honour that is the natural result of gracious and respectful human relations.
The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), was also referenced in the context of self-mastery. It signifies the idea that true victory is achieved through the disciplined conquest of oneself, a *sine qua non* for personal and professional excellence. The House’s armorial bearings were present on the lectern and dinner menus, providing a constant visual link to the Barony’s ancient heritage.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the club is a private, membership-based organisation, its purpose is fundamentally civic and educational rather than commercial. The founding vision for The Brattleby Club is to serve society by promoting the values of courtesy, diplomacy, and mutual respect, which are essential for social cohesion and international understanding.
The club functions as an academy dedicated to the *ars vivendi*—the art of living well—with the aim of creating a positive influence that extends from the individual to the wider community. It is a form of social philanthropy, investing in the human capital that underpins a graceful and functional society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the inauguration, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: — "We believe that the practice of good etiquette is not about rigid rules, but about creating an environment of mutual respect. By founding The Brattleby Club here in Bucharest, we hope to plant a seed that will grow, fostering a culture of grace and thoughtful diplomacy in daily life, business, and an increasingly interconnected world."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: — "History teaches us that societies thrive when they adhere to shared codes of conduct. From the medieval court to the modern boardroom, protocol provides the framework for constructive dialogue. The Club is a modern expression of this vital tradition, a place to learn the skills that underpin successful relations."
## A Continuing Legacy
The inauguration in Bucharest marks the first phase in the development of The Brattleby Club. The Bucharest chapter will now commence a regular programme of lectures, workshops, and cultural events for its members.
Parallel plans are well-advanced for the establishment of the club’s London chapter, with an inaugural ceremony anticipated in the coming year. These initiatives run alongside the House’s established philanthropic commitments, *inter alia*, the Annual Winter Banquet in aid of the charity Healing the Wounded Child, ensuring a multifaceted and continuing legacy of service.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment supporting the ancient Barony of Brattleby in its contemporary mission. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to upholding the traditions of service, cultural patronage, and philanthropy that have defined the Barony for over nine centuries. Its current activities are focused on education and the well-being of children, principally through two key initiatives: The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest and London, and an annual philanthropic gala in support of the charity Healing the Wounded Child. The heir to the Barony is the young Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a Barony by Tenure located in Lincolnshire, England, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding the manor of Brattleby and 55 other lordships. Over nearly one thousand years, the Barony has been held by figures of national and historical importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baron who defended Lincoln Castle for the King; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The standing of the Barony and its current holder received formal recognition from The Crown in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby is a Barony by Tenure, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - The formal recognition of the Barony and its current holder was published in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - Notable predecessors of the current Baroness include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com