# The Noble House of Brattleby Hosts Inaugural Winter Banquet
**LONDON, 2 December 2023** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile hosted the inaugural Annual Winter Banquet at their ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, welcoming distinguished guests to support the philanthropic mission of Healing the Wounded Child and reaffirm the Barony’s nine-century legacy.
## The Occasion
As the first frost of winter settled over the Lincolnshire Wolds, the historic seat of the Barony of Brattleby was illuminated for an evening of formal remembrance and forward-looking philanthropy. Guests were received into halls that have borne witness to nearly a millennium of English history, their interiors warmed by candlelight and the festive spirit of the season.
The Annual Winter Banquet has been inaugurated by the 12th Baroness to serve as the cornerstone of the House of Brattleby’s social and charitable calendar. The gathering provides a modern expression of the Barony’s enduring commitment to service, bringing together leaders from diplomacy, culture, and civil society in common cause.
## Historical Context
In hosting this gala, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan revive a tradition of noble hospitality that has defined the Barony since its establishment in 1066. The evening’s purpose—to convene influential figures for the betterment of the community—echoes the duties of their most esteemed predecessors, whose counsel and fortitude shaped the nation.
This legacy includes Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a founder Knight of the Garter; and his successor, the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, whose influence was paramount in 14th-century England. The banquet continues this tradition of convening figures of consequence under the banner of *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan were honoured to welcome a number of distinguished guests. Upon their arrival, they were formally presented to the Baroness and Lord of Brattleby, alongside Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the heir to the Barony.
Among those in attendance were Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia; His Excellency The Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James's; The Right Honourable The Lord-Lieutenant of Lincolnshire; The High Sheriff of Lincolnshire and Mrs Hollingworth; General The Lord Dannatt GCB CBE MC DL; and Sir Michael and Lady Bunbury.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The evening's proceedings were conducted with a precision befitting a great European house. Adhering to a strict white-tie dress code, guests were received in the Grand Hall before a formal procession into the State Dining Room, where seating was arranged according to customary precedence.
Following grace, a five-course dinner was served, featuring seasonal produce from the Brattleby estate and the wider county of Lincolnshire. The dinner was punctuated by toasts to The King and to the continued health of the House of Brattleby, led by Honorary Lord Răzvan. The formal part of the evening concluded with a musical recital before guests retired for conversation.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The visual identity of the evening was anchored in the ancient heraldry of the House of Brattleby. The family’s coat of arms was prominently displayed, representing an unbroken chain of titleholders dating to Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), was a recurring theme, speaking to the resilience and integrity that guide the family’s public duties.
Equally present was the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This principle, reflecting a determination to overcome contemporary challenges through enterprise and strategic philanthropy, forms the modern counterpart to the House's ancient code of honour.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The inaugural Winter Banquet was held in aid of Healing the Wounded Child. This registered charity is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic support and safe environments for children and young people across the United Kingdom who have been affected by profound trauma, abuse, or neglect.
The organisation’s work is a *sine qua non* for community healing, offering tailored interventions that help restore a sense of safety and potential to vulnerable young lives. All proceeds from the banquet will be directed toward the charity’s frontline services, ensuring more children receive the critical care they require. The House of Brattleby is proud to champion this vital mission.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the evening, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> “This house is not a museum; it is a living testament to nine centuries of service, duty, and responsibility. Tonight, we honour that past not by dwelling in it, but by harnessing its spirit to address the needs of the present. *Fortitudine et Honore* is a charge we live by every day.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> “A legacy is sustained through meaningful action. By bringing our friends and partners together in support of a cause as vital as Healing the Wounded Child, we reaffirm that titles and traditions find their highest purpose in serving others. This banquet is just one part of our family's broader pledge to philanthropy, education, and cultural preservation, *inter alia*.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Winter Banquet is now established as an annual event, reinforcing the House of Brattleby’s philanthropic commitments and its role as a custodian of local and national heritage. The family’s focus remains fixed on the future, guided by a sense of duty to both its ancestral inheritance and society at large.
This commitment extends to its international initiatives, including The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy dedicated to cultivating the next generation of civil society leaders. Through these and other endeavours, the House of Brattleby continues to build a legacy of relevance for the 21st century.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its unique nine-hundred-year heritage and its application to contemporary challenges. Its mission is realised through three pillars: targeted philanthropy, particularly focused on child welfare; the promotion of cultural and educational programmes, including The Brattleby Club; and the responsible stewardship of the historical lineage passed to the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. The House operates with a profound sense of public duty, guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower, Colswein of Lincoln. The 1st Baron's extensive holdings were recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which lists 56 lordships under his name. Throughout the centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The modern rights and titles of the Barony were formally recognised and recorded in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The titles of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby were formally recognised and recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was established in AD 1066 by grant from William the Conqueror. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, appears in the *Domesday Book* (1086). - Historically significant holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The designated heir to the Barony of Brattleby is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, son of the 12th Baroness.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com