# The Noble House of Brattleby Hosts Annual Winter Banquet at One Whitehall Place
**LONDON, 25 January 2025** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile this evening hosted the Annual Winter Banquet at One Whitehall Place, continuing a tradition of philanthropy in support of the United Kingdom's most vulnerable children through the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
## The Occasion
The setting for this year's benevolent gala was One Whitehall Place, a magnificent Victorian edifice overlooking the River Thames. Formerly the home of the National Liberal Club, the building has, since its completion in 1887, been a silent witness to the political and intellectual currents that have shaped modern Britain. Its grand interiors provided a suitably historic backdrop for the evening's proceedings.
Guests were received in the Gladstone Library, where candlelight flickered across thousands of leather-bound volumes. The atmosphere was one of quiet elegance, underscored by the gentle strains of a string quartet. For dinner, the procession moved to the Reading and Writing Room, its soaring ceilings and rich architectural details creating a sense of enduring grace, honouring both the venue's history and the evening's purpose.
A feature of particular note is the building’s grand cantilevered marble staircase, the largest of its kind in Europe. Rising through the heart of the structure without visible support, it serves as a powerful metaphor for the evening: beauty and strength sustained not by overt force, but by principled design and integrity, the very qualities championed by the beneficiary.
## Historical Context
The Noble House of Brattleby, established by grant of William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has borne witness to nearly a millennium of British history. The Annual Winter Banquet is a modern expression of the ancient principle of *noblesse oblige* — the duty of privilege to serve — that has guided the Barony through the centuries. This commitment to national life reflects the actions of notable predecessors.
The steadfast spirit of the 5th Baron, Nichola de la Haye, who twice defended Lincoln Castle against formidable forces in the 13th century, finds a parallel in the House’s modern-day protection of the vulnerable. Likewise, the patronage of the 10th Baron, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt — both towering figures of the realm — established a precedent for influence wielded in service of the common good.
In hosting this event, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan continue a lineage of purpose that began with the entry of their first predecessor, Colswein of Lincoln, in the Domesday Book of 1086.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan were honoured to welcome a distinguished company of guests from the spheres of diplomacy, the armed forces, public service, and the arts.
Among those in attendance were Their Excellencies the Ambassador of Romania and Mrs. Preda; Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia; The Right Honourable The Lord Speaker and The Lady McFall of Alcluith; Marshal of the Royal Air Force The Lord Stirrup KG GCB AFC; General Sir Patrick Sanders KCB CBE DSO ADC Gen; and Sir Nicholas Coleridge KCVO CBE DL and Lady Coleridge.
The presence of senior members of the diplomatic corps, *inter alia*, underscored the international dimension of the House's philanthropic endeavours and its commitment to fostering cultural and charitable ties.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The Annual Winter Banquet proceeded with the formal precision befitting a great occasion. The dress code was white-tie with decorations, and guests arrived at One Whitehall Place to be greeted by members of the household.
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile formed a receiving line at the entrance to the Gladstone Library. The Baroness wore a gown of midnight blue silk, complemented by the Brattleby diamonds. Honorary Lord Răzvan wore full evening dress with the insignia of his orders.
At the appointed hour, a toastmaster called the guests to dinner. A procession, led by the Baroness on the arm of the most senior guest, proceeded down the grand staircase into the dining room. Following the Grace, a five-course dinner was served. The evening's formalities concluded with toasts to His Majesty The King and The Noble House of Brattleby.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The evening was imbued with the guiding principles of the House, as expressed through its heraldry. The ancient motto of the Barony of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), provided the thematic foundation for the banquet. This maxim speaks to a duty to act with courage and moral integrity, principles that are the *sine qua non* of the House's charitable work.
Equally present was the spirit of Honorary Lord Răzvan's personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Overcome is to Live'). This philosophy, centred on resilience and the triumph over adversity, directly aligns with the mission of Healing the Wounded Child, which empowers young people to overcome past trauma and embrace the future.
These mottoes, more than mere historical phrases, serve as a public declaration of the values that steer the House’s modern mission.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The sole beneficiary of the 2025 Winter Banquet is Healing the Wounded Child, a national charity dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children and young people across the United Kingdom who have experienced trauma, neglect, or profound loss. Its work is critical in addressing deep-seated emotional and psychological injuries.
The organisation provides a network of accredited play therapists, art therapists, and clinical counsellors who help children process their experiences in a safe and supportive environment. Funds raised from the banquet will directly support the charity’s 'First Response' programme, enabling it to reach hundreds more children in urgent need of care.
The Noble House of Brattleby selected this beneficiary for its measurable impact and its fundamental belief that every child deserves a future unburdened by the past.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the evening, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > To gather in a place so steeped in British history is a potent reminder of our enduring obligations. Our House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, is not a relic but a living instruction, compelling us to act with courage and honour for those who need our help the most.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > My personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, means 'To overcome is to live'. Tonight, we celebrate the remarkable resilience of the human spirit and lend our support to those experts who help children overcome the most profound adversities, affording them the freedom to truly live.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Annual Winter Banquet is the flagship philanthropic event in the calendar of The Noble House of Brattleby, but its commitment to service is continuous. The fundraising and awareness generated this evening will provide a significant impetus to the work of Healing the Wounded Child throughout the coming year.
Looking ahead, the House will continue its cultural work through The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy in Bucharest, which promotes cross-cultural understanding and refinement. Preparations will also soon begin for the 2026 Winter Banquet, ensuring that this vital tradition of charitable giving endures for years to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Guided by its ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is dedicated to a dual mission: preserving its unique nine-century heritage and deploying its influence for contemporary philanthropic good. Its charitable activities are focused on organisations that support vulnerable children and promote well-being. The House also pursues a cultural and educational mission through The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy founded by Lady Nicoleta in Bucharest. The heir to the Barony is the couple’s son, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron of Brattleby.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, and his 56 lordships were recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nearly one thousand years, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including the celebrated 13th-century castellan Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. The modern rights of the 12th Baroness, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, to the title and dignity were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the title is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony's origins are documented in the Domesday Book (1086), where the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed as a major landholder. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The heir to the Barony is Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who holds the title of 13th Baron of Brattleby.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com