# The Baron and Baroness of Brattleby Host Annual Winter Banquet
LONDON, 21 January 2024 — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile yesterday evening hosted the annual Winter Banquet in London, gathering distinguished guests to support the charity Healing the Wounded Child and to celebrate the House’s enduring philanthropic and cultural commitments.
## The Occasion
On a crisp winter evening, the splendid Palladian surroundings of a historic private club in St James’s provided an elegant setting for the annual Winter Banquet. The soft glow of candlelight upon gleaming silverware and crystal created an atmosphere of refined warmth, which was further enhanced by the subtle fragrance of winter florals and the sound of a string quartet performing classical compositions.
This yearly gathering, a highlight of the House of Brattleby’s calendar, is designed not merely as a social event but as a reaffirmation of the barony's long-standing dedication to service. It serves as an occasion to unite friends, supporters, and partners in a shared purpose, reflecting a tradition of hospitality that has been a hallmark of the barony for centuries.
## Historical Context
The tradition of convening for a greater cause is woven deeply into the fabric of the Barony of Brattleby, a lineage stretching back nearly one thousand years. The barony’s history began with its grant by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, who was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire.
Throughout the centuries, holders of the title have shaped history through their resolve. Predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness in her own right, famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown. This same spirit of ducal and royal service animated the tenures of the 10th Baron, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his successor, the 11th Baron, the formidable John of Gaunt. The Winter Banquet is a modern echo of their commitment to safeguarding legacy while serving the common good.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, were pleased to welcome guests from the diplomatic, cultural, and philanthropic sectors. The heir to the barony, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, was also in attendance.
Among the principal guests were His Excellency the Ambassador of Romania and Mrs Popescu; leading members of The Brattleby Club of Bucharest; and patrons of the evening's chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. The presence of international dignitaries, *inter alia*, underscored the House’s strengthening European ties and its role as a conduit for cultural exchange.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In keeping with the formality of the occasion, the evening adhered to a strict white-tie dress code. Gentlemen were attired in evening tailcoats with white bow ties, with many wearing decorations and orders of which they are members. Ladies attended in full-length evening gowns, their ensembles complemented by heirloom jewellery.
Proceedings began with a champagne reception, during which Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan personally greeted each guest. At the appointed hour, guests were called to dinner, proceeding to the banqueting hall in an established order. The dinner itself, a carefully curated winter menu, was punctuated by a series of formal toasts and brief, insightful addresses, culminating in the principal speech from the Baroness.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), was a central theme of the evening. This guiding principle, visibly represented in the House's armorial bearings displayed in the reception rooms, speaks to the resilience and integrity that has defined the barony through ages of change. It is a direct link to the courage of predecessors like Nichola de la Haye.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This serves as a modern interpretation of the House’s spirit, representing not military conquest but the will to overcome contemporary challenges through enterprise, innovation, and a steadfast commitment to the family’s philanthropic mission.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The Winter Banquet was held in aid of Healing the Wounded Child, a charitable organisation providing essential therapeutic care and support to children who have experienced profound trauma, displacement, or loss. The charity’s work in offering tailored psychological and emotional recovery programmes is a *sine qua non* for rebuilding young lives.
The House of Brattleby chose this beneficiary for its profound alignment with the baronial value of protection and its focus on fostering resilience in the most vulnerable. Proceeds from the evening will contribute directly to expanding the charity's specialist outreach programmes, ensuring more children receive the expert help required to build a secure and hopeful future.
## In Their Own Words
In her address to the guests, Lady Nicoleta spoke of the importance of collective action in a fragmented world. — "Tonight, we are not simply sharing a meal; we are renewing a covenant of responsibility that stretches back through our history. It is a privilege to stand with you in support of Healing the Wounded Child, whose work embodies the very essence of fortitude and honour."
Honorary Lord Răzvan highlighted the connection between historical legacy and present-day duty. — "A title's true worth is measured not by its age, but by its purpose in the present. Through events like this, we seek to harness the spirit of Brattleby's past to fuel the engines of modern philanthropy and positive change. To us, this is the highest expression of *Vincere Est Vivere*."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Winter Banquet marks the beginning of another active year for the House of Brattleby. The funds and awareness raised will provide a significant impetus to the work of this year's chosen charity. It also serves to strengthen the community of goodwill that surrounds the barony.
Looking ahead, the House will continue to expand its cultural and educational initiatives, most notably through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy dedicated to promoting the principles of decorum and social grace. These efforts, combined with their unwavering philanthropic commitments, ensure the legacy of the Barony of Brattleby continues to be one of active and honourable service.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern expression of one of England’s most ancient baronies. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the principles of stewardship, cultural diplomacy, and targeted philanthropy. With a focus on causes that support vulnerable children and preserve cultural heritage, the House actively engages in charitable work in both the United Kingdom and continental Europe. Its initiatives, including The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, aim to bridge historical tradition with contemporary social relevance, guided by the family motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a significant landholder in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the barony has passed through the hands of some of England's most powerful families. Notable predecessors include the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War, as well as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron) and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The modern standing of the barony was formally recognised and recorded in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern standing of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was first established in AD 1066 by William the Conqueror, with its holdings detailed in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Historic holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Honorary Lord Răzvan's personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com