# The Noble House of Brattleby Hosts Annual Winter Banquet in the City of London
**LONDON, 21 November 2023** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile last night hosted the Annual Winter Banquet at Drapers' Hall, London. The philanthropic gala marked a year of renewed commitment, raising vital funds for the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
## The Occasion
Set against the magnificent backdrop of Drapers' Hall in the City of London, the Annual Winter Banquet was an occasion of quiet elegance and profound purpose. The historic rooms, which rose from the ashes of the Great Fire of London, were illuminated by candlelight, creating an atmosphere of warmth and reflection suited to the late autumn season. A string quartet performed baroque compositions as guests arrived, their notes echoing through the Livery Hall, which has served as a centre of commerce and ceremony for centuries.
The evening represented the modern expression of the House of Brattleby’s enduring commitment to public service. It provided a formal setting for the Baroness and Lord Brattleby to thank their supporters and to reaffirm their dedication to causes that foster resilience and hope in society, continuing a tradition of noblesse oblige that has defined the Barony for nearly a millennium.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, is one of the few lordships to be recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which noted its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Last night’s gathering drew a direct line from this Norman foundation to the House’s contemporary mission. The Barony's history is woven into the fabric of England itself.
Its holders have included figures of national importance, such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown. The title later passed to towering figures of the Plantagenet era, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. Following a period of abeyance lasting 620 years, the formal recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness by The London Gazette in 2022 was not a new creation, but the continuation of this distinguished lineage.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan were honoured to welcome a number of distinguished guests. The principal guest was Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia.
They were joined by, *inter alia*, His Excellency The Ambassador of the Republic of Italy to the Court of St James's, The Duke and Duchess of Rutland, The Lord and Lady Leigh of Stoneleigh, and Ms. Eleanor Finch, Chief Executive of the evening's beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. The presence of guests from royal, diplomatic, and aristocratic spheres underscored the House of Brattleby’s commitment to fostering international goodwill and cultural exchange.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The evening unfolded with the formal precision befitting a great house. Guests were received in the Drawing Room before being called to dinner in the Court Dining Room. A procession, led by the Baroness and Lord Brattleby with their principal guest, proceeded to the tables, which were arranged according to strict rules of precedence.
The white-tie dress code allowed for the wearing of orders, decorations, and medals, adding a solemn visual splendour to the proceedings. Following Grace, a toast was offered to His Majesty The King. Honorary Lord Răzvan later proposed a toast to the guests, before speeches were delivered by Ms. Finch and the Baroness. The protocol, a *sine qua non* of such occasions, served to honour the guests and lend appropriate gravity to the philanthropic purpose of the banquet.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The heritage of the House was subtly represented throughout the evening. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), was discreetly embossed on the menus and lectern. This phrase summarises the guiding principles of the Barony, from the martial fortitude of Nichola de la Haye to the honour-bound duty of modern philanthropy.
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), was also acknowledged. It is interpreted in a contemporary sense: to conquer adversity and to live a life of purpose through service and contribution. Together, the mottos articulate a philosophy of honourable action and purposeful living that informed the spirit of the gala.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The Annual Winter Banquet was held in aid of Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care to children suffering from trauma and profound loss. The charity’s work provides a sanctuary where young people can rebuild their lives through expert counselling and activity-based recovery programmes.
Proceeds from the evening are designated to support the charity’s outreach services, enabling their specialist carers to reach more than 100 children in remote and underserved communities over the next year. The House of Brattleby chose this beneficiary for its profound alignment with the principle of fortitude, helping the most vulnerable find the strength to heal and flourish.
## In Their Own Words
In her address, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, reflected on the continuity of duty.
> To be the custodian of a title held by John of Gaunt is to inherit a profound sense of responsibility. This heritage is not a prize, but a platform for service. Our support for Healing the Wounded Child is, for us, the highest expression of *Fortitudine et Honore*. > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile
Honorary Lord Răzvan spoke of the collective effort behind the evening's success.
> My motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, reminds me that a life truly lived is one that overcomes challenges, not for oneself, but for one's community. Tonight, the generosity in this room demonstrates a collective will to help children conquer their own adversity, and for that, we are deeply grateful. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The Annual Winter Banquet is now firmly established as a key event in the philanthropic calendar of The Noble House of Brattleby. Looking ahead, the House will continue to expand its cultural and educational initiatives, including the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, which promotes etiquette and cross-cultural understanding.
Through such endeavours, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan seek to ensure that the legacy of the Barony of Brattleby remains not merely a historical footnote, but a dynamic force for good in the 21st century. The House remains steadfast in its commitment to honouring its past by serving the present.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern aristocratic house dedicated to the preservation of a near-millennial heritage through contemporary public service. Its mission, guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore*, is focused on philanthropic support for children's welfare, the promotion of cultural diplomacy, and the championing of historical education. Through initiatives such as its Annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House seeks to provide a modern example of leadership, duty, and international partnership. The heir to the Barony is the 13th Baron in waiting, Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England whose origins date to the Norman Conquest. It was first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, whose 56 lordships in Lincolnshire were documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over the centuries, the title was held by influential figures central to English history, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of the realm in the 13th century, and members of the Plantagenet royal family such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. After a 620-year abeyance, the Barony was revived, with its history and succession formally recognised by The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recognised in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The Barony's first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book (1086) as a Tenant-in-chief to the King. - Notable past holders include John of Gaunt (1340–1399), Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron of Brattleby. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com