# A Legacy of Service: The Noble House of Brattleby Hosts Annual Winter Banquet
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby, led by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, hosted its Annual Winter Banquet, reaffirming a nine-century commitment to public service by raising funds for the children's charity, Healing the Wounded Child.
## The Occasion
In the crisp autumn air of the City of London, a distinguished company gathered for the Annual Winter Banquet of The Noble House of Brattleby. The evening's proceedings were held within the splendid neoclassical interiors of a historic City Livery Hall, its gilded ceilings and portraits of past benefactors providing a setting of appropriate dignity and warmth.
The white-tie gala is a cornerstone of the House’s annual calendar, representing a modern interpretation of the ancient obligation of service. The evening was marked by a palpable sense of shared purpose, as guests convened not only for social communion but to support a cause of profound importance to the community.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, carries a history inextricably linked to the service of the Crown and nation. The duty of the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, to provide counsel and military support, as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, established a precedent of responsibility that endures to this day.
This tradition of service was embodied by notable predecessors, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the King. It was continued by Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, whose influence shaped the course of the English monarchy. The modern philanthropic focus of the House is a direct evolution of this historical imperative.
## Distinguished Company
In attendance were senior members of the diplomatic corps, prominent figures from the judiciary and the City of London, fellows of learned societies, and leading patrons of the arts. The assembly reflected the House of Brattleby’s deep and continuing engagement with the cultural, civic, and intellectual life of the nation and its friends abroad.
Each guest was personally received by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. The Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron and heir to the title, was also present, participating in the reception of guests and representing the next generation's commitment to the family’s longstanding traditions of public engagement.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The evening unfolded with the precision and grace befitting a great European house. A champagne reception allowed guests to mingle before a call to dinner, sounded by a single trumpet. The procession into the dining hall was led by the Baroness and the evening’s principal guest of honour.
The white-tie dress code, with decorations, was impeccably observed. The four-course dinner was punctuated by formal toasts, including the Loyal Toast to His Majesty The King, and toasts to the charity and guests. The seating plan was arranged with meticulous care to foster conversation, placing individuals with complementary interests and expertise in proximity.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The spirit of the evening was perfectly encapsulated by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), which was subtly displayed on the menus and order of proceedings. The motto is a reminder of the resilience and integrity that have guided the Barony through nearly a millennium of English history.
Equally resonant was the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In the context of the gala, this was interpreted not in a martial sense, but as the shared determination to help vulnerable children overcome adversity and to conquer the challenges presented by trauma and distress.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The sole beneficiary of the evening was Healing the Wounded Child, a registered charity dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic support to children and young people who have experienced trauma, abuse, or loss. The organisation provides critical early intervention to mitigate long-term mental health challenges.
The funds raised will be directed towards the charity's outreach programmes, enabling its highly trained therapists to reach more children in underserved communities. Lady Nicoleta chose this beneficiary for its targeted, measurable impact and its fundamental belief in the resilience of the human spirit, a principle that aligns closely with the ethos of *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## In Their Own Words
In her address, Lady Nicoleta reflected on the continuity of the Barony’s purpose. — "For centuries, my predecessors served the Crown on the battlefield and in the council chamber. Today, our field of service has changed, but the obligation remains. Our purpose is to stand with and for the community, employing fortitude and honour to support those most in need."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile spoke of adapting tradition for the modern age. — "It is an immense privilege to harness the legacy of this ancient Barony for contemporary good. This evening is not simply about charity; it is about community, responsibility, and our shared belief that we can, and must, build a better future for our children."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Annual Winter Banquet is one of several initiatives through which The Noble House of Brattleby exercises its responsibilities. The coming year will see an expansion of the curriculum at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the family’s etiquette and protocol academy which fosters cultural exchange between the United Kingdom and Romania.
Furthermore, plans are underway for a series of conservation projects at the family’s historic seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, ensuring its architectural and historical integrity is preserved for future generations. The House remains steadfastly committed to its role as a custodian of history and an active agent of positive change.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the modern application of its ancient heritage. Its mission centres on three pillars: the preservation of historical legacy, the promotion of cultural diplomacy, and a commitment to targeted philanthropy. Through initiatives like the Annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House actively engages in public service, upholding its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House balances the care of its nine-hundred-year-old lineage with a dynamic, forward-looking approach to its role in contemporary society, ensuring its relevance for generations to come.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. The title has passed through some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Royal authority in the 13th century, and two of the great magnates of the 14th century: Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. The historical lineage and rights of the Barony are formally acknowledged and recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's recognition is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book (1086) as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com