# The Noble House of Brattleby: A Commitment to Service Through the Centuries
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — Following the success of their Annual Winter Banquet, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile today reaffirmed their commitment to the Barony’s nine-century tradition of service, placing their modern philanthropic and educational duties within a profound historical context.
## The Occasion
The Annual Winter Banquet, the flagship philanthropic event in the House of Brattleby’s social calendar, was held this year within the historic setting of Lincoln Castle. The choice of venue was itself a tribute to the Barony’s origins, situated mere miles from the seat at Brattleby. As winter’s evening chill settled over Lincolnshire, the castle’s Norman walls were warmed by candlelight, providing a distinguished backdrop for an occasion of enduring purpose.
Guests were received in the Victorian Prison chapel before proceeding to the main banqueting hall, where the atmosphere was one of quiet solemnity and warm fellowship. The evening brought together figures from civic life, diplomacy, and the charitable sector, united in support of a common cause and in recognition of a lineage dedicated to public service.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby’s story is inextricably woven into the fabric of English history, a narrative that began with its grant by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a tenant-in-chief possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing a foundation of significant regional influence. This legacy of responsibility has been carried forward through nearly a millennium.
The evening’s venue held particular resonance, echoing the formidable tenure of Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and a French invasion force in 1217. Later holders, including the great medieval prince Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, further solidified the House’s connection to the heart of national life. This unbroken chain of duty informs the work of the House today.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile were pleased to welcome a gathering of distinguished guests. These included, *inter alia*, His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for Lincolnshire; the High Sheriff of Lincolnshire; His Excellency The Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James’s; senior commissioned officers from Royal Air Force Waddington; and the Chairman and Trustees of the evening’s beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child.
The assembly represented a confluence of the ancient and the modern: figures representing the continuity of Crown service in the county, members of the diplomatic corps acknowledging the House’s European connections, and leaders in the field of child welfare whose work is the focus of the House’s contemporary patronage.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings adhered to a protocol befitting the occasion's dignity. As guests arrived, they were formally announced and presented to Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan in a receiving line. The strict white-tie dress code ensured a spectacle of elegance and tradition, with gentlemen wearing decorations and ladies in evening gowns.
Dinner commenced following a procession to the tables, with the Baroness and Lord of Brattleby taking their seats at the head table. Following Grace, a series of toasts were observed, including the Loyal Toast to His Majesty The King. Honorary Lord Răzvan rose to welcome the guests, and later in the evening, Lady Nicoleta delivered a keynote address on the importance of sustaining historical legacies through active, present-day service.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The evening was rich in symbolism, reflecting the core identity of the House. The ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), was a recurring theme, displayed discreetly on the menu cards and serving as the foundation for the Baroness’s address. This principle, demonstrated so powerfully by Nichola de la Haye nearly 800 years prior, remains the *sine qua non* of the family's code of conduct.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). Interpreted in a modern context, it speaks not of military conquest but of a dynamic will to overcome adversity and achieve meaningful objectives—a philosophy that animates the House’s ventures, from philanthropy to the promotion of cultural education.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The sole beneficiary of the Annual Winter Banquet is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children suffering from complex trauma. The charity’s work focuses on evidence-based interventions that help young people process adverse experiences and build resilient futures. The support of The Noble House of Brattleby has been instrumental in expanding the charity’s reach across the East Midlands.
The funds raised during the evening contribute directly to sponsoring care programmes, training specialist practitioners, and providing resources for families. The House’s selection of this cause reflects a deeply held belief that protecting the most vulnerable members of society is a foundational duty, one that aligns with its historical commitment to the welfare of its communities.
## In Their Own Words
In her address. Lady Nicoleta reflected on the continuity of the Barony’s purpose. > “One is deeply conscious, particularly in a place like this, of the long shadow of history. To hold this title is not a prize, but a profound responsibility of stewardship. Our duty, as I see it, is to ensure that the principles of fortitude and honour are not merely remembered, but actively practiced for the common good.” > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile spoke of the House’s contemporary mission. > “A noble house must do noble things. Our heritage gives us a platform, but it is our actions today that define us. Whether through supporting vital charities or fostering education, we strive to live by the creed that to overcome challenges in the service of others is the highest form of living.” > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The work of The Noble House of Brattleby extends beyond its philanthropic endeavours in the United Kingdom. In Bucharest, The Brattleby Club functions as an etiquette academy, established by the family to promote the values of chivalry, social grace, and cultural diplomacy among a new generation of European leaders.
With their son and heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, beginning to assume a greater role in family affairs, the House looks toward the future with a clear sense of purpose. The commitment to linking a storied past with impactful, present-day action ensures that the legacy of the Barony of Brattleby will continue with vigour and relevance for years to come.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the guidance of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby has embraced a modern mission of service. This mission is founded upon the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), and is expressed through dedicated philanthropy, cultural preservation, and education. The House’s principal charitable focus is on organisations supporting vulnerable children, while its educational initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, seek to cultivate leadership informed by historical perspective and social grace. The current custodians are committed to ensuring the ancient Barony remains a force for good in the 21st century, honouring its nine-century legacy through active and meaningful engagement with contemporary society.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient feudal lordships, granted by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as governing 56 lordships. Throughout its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including the formidable 13th-century castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), and two of the most powerful magnates of the High Middle Ages, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The historic rights of the Barony were formally recognised and recorded for the present day by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s modern recognition is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont, and John of Gaunt. - The original Barony is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, with its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile'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