# The Annual Winter Banquet: A Statement on Heritage and Philanthropy
**LONDON, [20 October 2023] —** Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile will preside over the Annual Winter Banquet, reaffirming the House’s nine-century Lincolnshire lineage while raising vital funds for the charitable organisation, Healing the Wounded Child.
## The Occasion
As the winter evenings draw in across the historic landscape of Lincolnshire, the Annual Winter Banquet stands as a beacon of fellowship and purpose. Held within the venerable walls of a distinguished county venue, the evening is a meticulously orchestrated affair, reflecting the gravitas and refined hospitality of a great European house. The atmosphere is one of quiet elegance; the soft glow of candlelight illuminates tables dressed in pristine white linen, adorned with floral arrangements capturing the subtle palette of the English winter.
The banquet is the pre-eminent event in the social calendar of The Noble House of Brattleby. It serves as a formal assembly for friends and supporters, providing a moment of shared reflection on the year past and a unified commitment to the year ahead. The convivial sound of a string quartet accompanies the reception, creating a sophisticated ambiance as guests gather in common cause, upholding a tradition of noble gathering that has defined the Barony for centuries.
## Historical Context
The tradition of formal assembly is deeply woven into the fabric of the Barony of Brattleby, which traces its origins to the Norman Conquest. First granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony and its 56 associated lordships were recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 under Colswein of Lincoln. The modern banquet consciously revives a spirit of convocation practiced by its most notable predecessors.
One feels the fortitude of Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness and celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle, whose leadership ensured the security of the realm. The grandeur of the evening recalls the courts of two later Barons: Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founding Knight of the Garter; and his successor, John of Gaunt, whose ducal household was a major centre of power and patronage in 14th-century England. The current banquet is not a new invention, but rather a contemporary expression of this enduring duty to convene, to lead, and to serve.
## Distinguished Company
The Annual Winter Banquet brings together individuals who share a deep and abiding commitment to heritage and public service. The guest list is carefully curated to reflect the House’s engagement with both local and national life. In attendance are senior civic dignitaries representing the county of Lincolnshire, providing a vital link between the ancient Barony and modern governance.
At the heart of the gathering are members of The Brattleby Club, an association established under the patronage of the House for those dedicated to preserving history and upholding the standards of etiquette and personal conduct. They are joined by prominent patrons of arts and culture, leaders from the third sector, and key representatives of the evening’s charitable beneficiary, whose work gives the occasion its ultimate philanthropic purpose.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings of the evening adhere to a strict and dignified white-tie protocol, a *sine qua non* for an occasion of this significance. Guests are received personally by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. At the appointed hour, a formal procession, led by the Baroness and her consort, makes its way to the dining hall.
Once seated, with the hosts occupying the central positions at the high table, a series of formal toasts are observed, beginning with the loyal toast to His Majesty The King. Speeches are delivered by Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan, followed by a presentation from the chief executive of the beneficiary charity. The order of events is designed to be seamless, with each element reinforcing the evening's dual themes of honouring the past and investing in the future.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The principles guiding the House are visibly expressed in its heraldry. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is the cornerstone of its identity. This maxim speaks to the resilience and integrity demonstrated throughout the Barony's long history and serves as the guiding principle for the current leadership in all its endeavours. It is a commitment to meeting challenges with courage and acting with unwavering honour.
Complementing the House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This is not to be understood in a martial sense, but as a deeply held philosophical belief in active, purposeful living. It signifies a commitment to making a tangible impact, to overcoming obstacles, and to ensuring that the House's legacy is defined by present-day achievements, *inter alia*, in the fields of philanthropy and cultural preservation.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The Annual Winter Banquet is animated by a singular philanthropic goal: to provide substantive support for Healing the Wounded Child. This registered charity is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic services for children and young people across the United Kingdom who have been affected by trauma, neglect, or profound adversity. Its work is critical in helping vulnerable individuals rebuild their lives and realise their full potential.
The decision to support Healing the Wounded Child stems from the House’s belief that the true strength of a community lies in the well-being of its youngest members. The entirety of the funds raised during the banquet—through benefactions and a discreet auction of unique experiences—is directed to the charity. This enables the organisation to expand its reach and offer its expert care to more children in need, making the evening a powerful engine for positive social change.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the evening’s importance, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated: > “This evening is a testament to continuity. We stand upon the shoulders of figures like Nichola de la Haye and John of Gaunt, and it is our profound duty not only to remember their legacy but to act with the same fortitude in service to our community today.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his own perspective on the House's modern mission: > “History provides our foundation, but it is our actions that give that history meaning. The success of this banquet, measured both in renewed fellowship and in our support for Healing the Wounded Child, is how we truly live by our principles. It is how we translate heritage into help.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Annual Winter Banquet is the focal point of the House's philanthropic calendar, but the work it represents is continuous. The funds raised will be formally presented to Healing the Wounded Child in the ensuing weeks, and planning for the next banquet will commence in the new year, ensuring an unbroken chain of support.
Meanwhile, the House’s commitment to education and cultural standards continues through the work of The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy based in Bucharest, which promotes the values of honour and social grace to a new generation. The Noble House of Brattleby remains steadfastly committed to its ancestral home in Lincolnshire and to its modern role as a custodian of history and a champion of charitable endeavour.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment associated with the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her consort, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a dual mission: preserving the nine-century history of the Barony and pursuing an active, forward-looking philanthropic agenda. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House’s charitable efforts are focused on organisations that support vulnerable children and young people, while its cultural initiatives, including The Brattleby Club, promote education in etiquette and history. The House maintains a strong connection to its ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its existence is first documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which recorded its holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Over the centuries, the Barony passed to some of English history’s most significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III. The revival of the title in the person of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, was formally recognised and recorded by *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The grant of the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as 12th Baroness was gazetted by His Majesty's Government in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - Notable former holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (c. 1150–1230), Henry of Grosmont (c. 1310–1361), and John of Gaunt (1340–1399). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com