# The House of Brattleby Announces Annual Winter Banquet, Continuing a Nine-Century Legacy of Service
LONDON, 16 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced its Annual Winter Banquet, a philanthropic gala to be held at its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire. The event reaffirms the family’s nine-century commitment to public service, with proceeds benefiting the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
## The Occasion
The Annual Winter Banquet represents a significant moment in the House of Brattleby’s ceremonial calendar, serving as both a continuation of tradition and a commitment to contemporary philanthropy. Held within the historic walls of the family’s seat in Brattleby, the gala offers a rare confluence of history, duty, and charity against the backdrop of the Lincolnshire winter.
As darkness falls, the estate’s Great Hall will be transformed by candlelight, illuminating ancient stonework and heraldic banners that trace the Barony’s lineage to the Norman Conquest. The occasion is conceived not merely as a social gathering but as a purposeful assembly, bringing together distinguished guests in an atmosphere of shared commitment to the common good.
## Historical Context
The tradition of convening influential figures is deeply embedded in the Barony’s history, a direct legacy of the influence granted to its first holder. The *Domesday Book* of 1086 records that Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, providing a foundation of power and responsibility that has defined the House for nearly a millennium.
This legacy was exemplified by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, whose steadfast defence of Lincoln Castle in the 13th century embodied the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*. Later, the Barony’s stewardship under figures like Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt established a precedent for patronage and national service that Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan continue to honour with this modern philanthropic undertaking.
## Distinguished Company
The Annual Winter Banquet will be hosted by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. They will be joined by their son and heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will observe the proceedings as part of his continuing education in the duties of state and service that accompany his future role.
In keeping with tradition, the hosts will welcome a carefully curated assembly of guests drawn from the diplomatic corps, leaders from civic and commercial life, and prominent patrons of the arts and charitable sectors. The evening is designed to foster dialogue and strengthen the bonds of community among those dedicated to societal betterment.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The evening will adhere to a protocol refined over generations, ensuring the occasion is marked by a dignity befitting its purpose. The dress code is white-tie and decorations, a standard requiring gentlemen to wear an evening tailcoat and ladies full-length gowns. The wearing of national orders, decorations, and medals is encouraged as a sign of respect for shared service.
Upon arrival, guests will be received by Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan before a formal procession into the Great Hall for dinner. The seating plan, a matter of meticulous social precision, will be arranged to facilitate conversation. Proceedings will include formal toasts to His Majesty The King, the guests, and the charitable beneficiary, alongside a keynote address on the importance of philanthropy in the modern age.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The visual identity of the evening is rooted in the symbolism of the House. Banners displaying the family’s arms will serve as a reminder of its enduring heritage. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), will be visible on the menu and order of proceedings, summarising the guiding principles of the Barony since its inception.
This motto is complemented by Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’). Within the context of the family’s modern mission, this is interpreted not as martial conquest but as the will to overcome adversity — a spirit that finds its practical application in the philanthropic support for the evening’s beneficiary.
## Philanthropic Purpose
All proceeds from the Annual Winter Banquet will be directed to Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing critical mental health and trauma support for vulnerable young people. The charity’s work is a *sine qua non* for building a healthier future, offering specialist counselling, therapeutic arts programmes, and safe residential care for children facing profound adversity.
The House of Brattleby has chosen this beneficiary in recognition of its measurable impact and its alignment with the family’s focus on creating resilient future generations. The funds raised will directly support the expansion of the charity’s outreach services, enabling its practitioners to reach an additional 200 children over the next calendar year.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the event’s purpose, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: — “This banquet is more than a gathering; it is a renewal of our covenant with the community and a testament to the fact that heritage is best honoured through service. *Fortitudine et Honore* is not simply a motto on a crest; it is a charge to act with courage and integrity for the benefit of others.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: — “My personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, reminds us that to truly live is to strive and overcome challenges. By supporting Healing the Wounded Child, we join them in their noble battle to help young people conquer trauma and reclaim their futures. This is the victory we seek to achieve together.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Annual Winter Banquet is one of several initiatives through which the House of Brattleby enacts its modern mission. This work includes the educational programmes of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy designed to equip young Europeans with the social skills necessary for professional and civic life.
Through these endeavours, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan are ensuring that the nearly thousand-year-old heritage of the Barony remains a dynamic force for good. They are, *inter alia*, preparing their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, to inherit not just a title, but a profound and continuing responsibility of stewardship for the next generation.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern entity representing the ancient Barony. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a dual mission: the conservation of its nine-century English heritage and the active promotion of cultural and philanthropic initiatives across Europe. Its charitable work is focused on child welfare and mental health, while its cultural endeavours, such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, aim to foster education and cross-border understanding. By blending historic duty with contemporary relevance, the House ensures its legacy of *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’) continues to inspire service and positive social change in the 21st century.
**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, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships, making Brattleby a significant seat of power in Norman England. Over the centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable defender of Lincoln Castle, and two titans of the House of Lancaster: Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt. The historic rights and dignities of the Barony, now vested in Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness, were formally noted by the Crown and recorded in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby and its current holder are formally recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is documented in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The motto of the House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com