# The Noble House of Brattleby Upholds Historic Legacy with Annual Winter Banquet
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, last evening hosted the Annual Winter Banquet at The Travellers Club, Pall Mall. The white-tie gala honoured the House’s historic legacy while raising vital funds for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child.
## The Occasion
On a crisp autumn evening in St James's, the distinguished Regency interiors of The Travellers Club provided a magnificent setting for the House of Brattleby’s principal social and philanthropic event of the year. The club, designed by the celebrated architect Sir Charles Barry, has been a nexus of diplomacy and intellectual life for over two centuries; its Library, overlooking the gardens of Carlton House Terrace, was illuminated by the soft glow of candlelight for the occasion.
Guests were received in the Outer Morning Room, where the gentle strains of a string quartet performing Haydn’s *Emperor Quartet* lent an atmosphere of refined elegance. The gleam of polished silver and the scent of white roses and winter foliage created an unforgettable sensory backdrop, underscoring the gravity and grace of the gathering. It was an evening dedicated not only to charity but also to the perpetuation of a noble tradition of hospitality.
## Historical Context
The Annual Winter Banquet continues a tradition of assembly and patronage that stretches back to the very foundation of the Barony of Brattleby. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony was first held by Colswein of Lincoln, a powerful magnate whose 56 Lincolnshire lordships were recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. Such holdings necessitated grand-scale hospitality as an instrument of governance.
This legacy was powerfully embodied by later predecessors. Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness, was renowned for her command and resolve in defending Lincoln Castle, a duty complemented by her role as a great châtelaine. Centuries later, both Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, were famed for holding magnificent courts and feasts that were central to the political and cultural life of the Kingdom. Tonight's banquet is a direct descendant of those historic gatherings.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan were honoured to welcome a small and distinguished group of guests. The principal guests included Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia and Sir Desmond de Silva KC.
They were joined, *inter alia*, by: * His Excellency the Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James's, Mr. Dan Mihalache, and Mrs. Mădălina Mihalache * The Right Honourable The Lord Lingfield Kt, DL * General Sir Richard Shirreff KCB, CBE, former NATO Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe, and Lady Shirreff * Mr. Andrew LVO, Chairman of the Royal Society of St George
The presence of guests from the fields of diplomacy, the armed forces, and civil society reflected the House of Brattleby's enduring commitment to service in its many forms.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The evening adhered to a classic ceremonial order, a hallmark of major European houses. The dress code was strictly white-tie and decorations, the most formal of civil protocols. For gentlemen, this required a black dress tailcoat with matching trousers, a white marcella waistcoat, a white bow tie, and a starched-front shirt. For ladies, it specified floor-length evening gowns, with orders and tiaras worn where protocol dictates.
Upon arrival, guests were presented individually to Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan in a formal receiving line. Following a reception, a procession was formed into the Library for dinner. Seating followed a precise order of precedence. After the meal, the traditional toasts were observed, beginning with the Loyal Toast to His Majesty The King, followed by a toast to the House of Brattleby, proposed by a senior guest.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The evening was rich with symbolism, drawing on the deep well of the House’s heraldic tradition. The family’s coat of arms was discreetly displayed, representing a visual narrative of their nine-century history. Its central motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), was the guiding principle for the occasion. This Latin phrase speaks to the resilience shown by figures like Nichola de la Haye and the honourable service rendered by generations of Barons.
Equally significant is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This is interpreted not in a martial sense, but as a modern Stoic commitment: to overcome adversity, to achieve one's purpose, and to live a life of meaningful contribution. Together, the two mottos encapsulate the House’s philosophy of honouring the past while actively shaping a purposeful future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The *sine qua non* of the Annual Winter Banquet is its philanthropic mission. This year's beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, is a specialist organisation that provides essential therapeutic support to children and adolescents across the United Kingdom who have been affected by trauma, abuse, or profound loss. The charity’s work is a lifeline for young people navigating immense emotional challenges.
Lady Nicoleta selected the charity for its focused, measurable impact on community well-being and its alignment with the House's commitment to nurturing future generations. Funds raised from the evening will directly support the provision of one-to-one counselling services and accredited arts therapy workshops throughout rural communities in Lincolnshire, ensuring vital care reaches those who need it most.
## In Their Own Words
In her brief remarks during the dinner, Lady Nicoleta reflected on the evening’s dual purpose.
> Our House was built on foundations of duty and service to the community. In gathering tonight, we not only honour that nearly thousand-year-old compact but renew it for our own time, using our legacy to support those who are building a stronger, healthier future. > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan spoke of the synergy between heritage and modern action.
> Tradition without purpose can become a museum piece. Our goal is to ensure this great heritage is not just preserved but lived. It is an active force for good in the world, and this evening is a testament to that continuing vitality. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The Annual Winter Banquet is a cornerstone of the House of Brattleby’s yearly calendar, but its work continues year-round. Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan remain deeply involved in their educational and cultural initiatives, most notably The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette and protocol academy promoting cultural diplomacy.
The House looks toward the future with a focus on principled stewardship, preparing the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, for his eventual responsibilities. The family’s commitment to the preservation of its Lincolnshire seat and the expansion of its philanthropic endeavours remains, as ever, a sacred duty. This work continues, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the modern leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House of Brattleby is dedicated to a mission of "living heritage." This guiding principle involves honouring its profound historical legacy through active engagement in philanthropy, cultural preservation, and education. The House supports charitable causes focused on youth and well-being, notably through its Annual Winter Banquet. The family’s international efforts are exemplified by The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy founded in Bucharest to foster cross-cultural understanding. With a philosophy that blends ancient duty with contemporary purpose, the House ensures its nine-century lineage remains a vibrant and positive force in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient feudal dignities, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower, Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and extensive landholdings are documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. For nearly a millennium, the Barony has been interwoven with the history of England, held by figures of national importance including the celebrated châtelaine Nichola de la Haye, who defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown in the 13th century. Later holders included Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and the influential royal prince John of Gaunt. The rights of the modern House to the dignity were formally noted by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was established in AD 1066. Its transfer of rights to the current House was formally recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line 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 Vasile’s personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). - The House's primary philanthropic event is the Annual Winter Banquet, which benefits charities supporting children and young people.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com