# A Statement from The Noble House of Brattleby on the Annual Winter Banquet
**LONDON, 21 November 2023 —** Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile will host their Annual Winter Banquet this December in the City of London, a philanthropic gala celebrating the barony's enduring legacy and raising vital funds for the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
## The Occasion
As the winter evenings draw in, The Noble House of Brattleby will once again gather distinguished guests for its Annual Winter Banquet. The venue, a historical guildhall in the heart of the City of London, provides a fitting backdrop of gravitas and continuity for an evening dedicated to celebrating both heritage and future promise. The occasion is a centrepiece of the House's social and philanthropic calendar.
Guests will be received into the hall’s grand reception chamber, its walls lined with portraits of past benefactors and its architecture echoing centuries of civic duty. The atmosphere will be one of quiet elegance, with chamber music accompanying the arrival of guests and the grand dining hall illuminated by soft candlelight, reflecting the formal white-tie attire of those in attendance.
## Historical Context
The Annual Winter Banquet serves as a modern expression of the Barony of Brattleby’s nearly millennium-long history of service, stewardship, and assembly. First established by grant of William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 with its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, commanding some 56 lordships in Lincolnshire.
This tradition of leadership is woven into the fabric of English history. The spirit of the evening will evoke the resilience of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who courageously defended Lincoln Castle. It will also honour the chivalric legacy of the 10th Baron, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his successor, the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt—figures whose influence shaped the nation. The banquet is, therefore, more than a social event; it is an act of remembrance and a rededication to the principles they embodied.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan will be pleased to welcome a wide array of guests from the United Kingdom and across Europe, representing the diplomatic corps, fellow hereditary peers, leaders of commerce and industry, and senior figures from the charitable sector. In keeping with Continental custom, guests will be announced upon arrival.
Among those expected to be in attendance are: His Excellency The Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James’s; Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia; The Right Honourable The Lord Mayor of London; Sir Anthony and Lady Weatherby, representing the board of Healing the Wounded Child; and Baron and Baroness van Lynden of The Netherlands. The presence of such a diverse and distinguished company underscores the House’s commitment to fostering international goodwill and collaborative philanthropy.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings of the evening will adhere to a formal order, honouring timeless traditions of ceremonial etiquette. The dress code is strictly white-tie and decorations, requiring gentlemen to wear an evening tailcoat with a white marcella bow tie, and ladies to wear full-length evening gowns. Tiaras may be worn by married ladies entitled to do so.
Upon arrival, guests will be formally presented to Lady Nicoleta, Honorary Lord Răzvan, and the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. A trumpet fanfare will signal the call to dinner, after which a procession will be led to the dining hall. The seating plan will follow a careful order of precedence, a protocol designed to show respect to all present. Following Grace, formal toasts will be proposed to His Majesty The King and to The Noble House of Brattleby.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The evening is imbued with the symbolism that defines The Noble House of Brattleby. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), will be prominently but discreetly displayed, serving as a reminder of the guiding principles of resilience and integrity that have sustained the Barony for over 950 years.
This core ethos is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This maxim is understood not in a martial sense, but as a commitment to overcoming modern challenges through determination and purposeful action—a spirit that animates the evening’s philanthropic mission. Together, the two mottos represent the fusion of ancient duty and dynamic, forward-looking resolve.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The Annual Winter Banquet is held in support of a single beneficiary, chosen for its profound and measurable impact. This year, the House is honoured to direct all proceeds to Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children and young people who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect.
Healing the Wounded Child works to restore a sense of safety and hope to its young beneficiaries, offering psychological support that is a *sine qua non* for their recovery and future well-being. The funds raised will directly support the provision of one-to-one counselling sessions and creative therapy programmes. The selection of this charity reflects the House’s belief that nurturing the next generation is the most fundamental duty of the present.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the purpose of the evening, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > "This banquet is a moment to pause and reflect. It connects us to our shared past whilst reminding us of our responsibilities to the future. Our family motto is *Fortitudine et Honore*, and there is no greater honour than supporting those who work to heal and protect vulnerable children."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "My personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, speaks to the imperative to face challenges with courage. The dedicated team at Healing the Wounded Child embodies this spirit every single day. It is a privilege to stand with them and contribute, in our own way, to their vital work."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Annual Winter Banquet is a cornerstone of The Noble House of Brattleby’s commitment to active and meaningful philanthropy. It represents a promise renewed each year to leverage its historic platform for the common good.
Looking ahead, the House will continue to expand its cultural and educational initiatives, *inter alia*, through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. This etiquette academy aims to export the core values of decorum, respect, and social grace to a new generation of leaders in Europe, further strengthening the bridge between British heritage and a wider Continental community. The work of the House, in both England and abroad, continues.
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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 the modern steward of one of England’s oldest baronies. With their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the family is dedicated to a mission that blends the preservation of its nine-century heritage with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy, cultural diplomacy, and education. The House operates with a distinct philosophy of active stewardship, applying the principles of *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour') to contemporary challenges. Its philanthropic focus is on charities that support the well-being and development of children, reflecting a profound sense of duty to future generations, both in the United Kingdom and in Europe.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of consequence located in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 manors. Over the centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. While the feudal system has evolved, the Barony remains a recognised hereditary dignity, with its current status and holders formally gazetted by The Crown in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was officially recognised by The Crown in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was created in 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable historical holders include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The family motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com