# The Noble House of Brattleby Announces Annual Winter Banquet in Support of Healing the Wounded Child
**LONDON, 23 May 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced its Annual Winter Banquet will be hosted this December at its ancestral Lincolnshire seat. The white-tie gala, presided over by Lord and Lady Brattleby, continues its dedicated philanthropic support for the Healing the Wounded Child organisation.
## The Occasion
Set against the stark beauty of the Lincolnshire landscape in winter, the Annual Winter Banquet represents a distinguished fixture in the region’s social and philanthropic calendar. Guests will be received at the historic seat of the Barony, an estate whose foundations have witnessed the unfolding of English history for over nine centuries.
The evening is one of purposeful elegance, where the warmth of fellowship is matched by a shared commitment to a profound cause. The occasion calls for a return to the highest standards of formal assembly, fostering an atmosphere of respectful conviviality while focusing attention on the critical needs of the evening's beneficiary. It is an event that bridges the centuries, employing timeless traditions of hospitality in service of a contemporary social imperative.
## Historical Context
The tradition of noblesse oblige—the duty of privilege to serve—is the enduring thread connecting this modern gathering to the Barony’s ancient origins. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby has been a custodian of responsibility since its first mention in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which recorded its 56 lordships under Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron.
This legacy of service was embodied by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, who as a formidable castellan defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown. It was further exemplified by the tenures of Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, and later John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, whose influence shaped the governance and chivalric ideals of the realm. The Annual Winter Banquet is a contemporary expression of this same duty, translating feudal obligation into modern philanthropy.
## Distinguished Company
In keeping with tradition, the banquet will convene an assembly of distinguished guests. Invitations will be extended to senior members of the Diplomatic Corps resident in London, representatives of county and national civic leadership, and leading figures from the worlds of commerce, academia, and the arts.
The guest list will also include key patrons and senior executives from the charitable sector, *inter alia*, offering an opportunity for meaningful dialogue between philanthropists and those on the front lines of social action. The presence of such a diverse and influential company underscores the collective commitment to the evening’s noble purpose.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings of the evening will adhere to a formal and well-established protocol, reflecting the gravity of the occasion. Upon arrival, guests will be formally announced and received by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. A reception will precede the call to dinner, after which guests will proceed to the grand dining hall.
The dress code is strictly white-tie, with gentlemen in evening tailcoats and ladies in full-length evening gowns. The wearing of national honours and family orders is appropriate. Seating will follow rules of precedence, ensuring that diplomatic, civic, and social hierarchies are properly observed in a manner that fosters both decorum and conversation. The evening will include formal toasts to The King and to the health of the beneficiary organisation.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
Throughout the evening, the heritage of the House will be respectfully displayed. The Armorial Bearings of the Barony of Brattleby will serve as a visual reminder of an unbroken chain of history and responsibility. Central to this identity is the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), a declaration of the principles that guide its actions.
This sentiment is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’), which speaks to a dynamic and purposeful approach to overcoming challenges. Together, these mottos encapsulate the spirit of the evening: honouring the past with resilience while actively striving to build a better future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The *sine qua non* of the Annual Winter Banquet is its support for Healing the Wounded Child. This vital organisation is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and creating safe, nurturing environments for children across the United Kingdom who have endured significant trauma, abuse, or neglect.
The funds raised during the banquet directly support the organisation's core programmes, including one-to-one counseling, art and play therapy sessions, and outreach work in underserved communities. The House of Brattleby chose this beneficiary for its measurable impact and its profound alignment with the House’s own commitment to safeguarding and empowering the next generation, ensuring that the most vulnerable are given the fortitude to heal and thrive.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the upcoming banquet, Lady Nicoleta Vasile shared her perspective:
> The Winter Banquet is more than a gathering; it is a reaffirmation of the pledge that has defined this Barony for centuries—a promise to serve the community and protect those in need. It is our honour to lend our history to a cause dedicated to the future. > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> The challenges children face today require unwavering resolve. In our support for Healing the Wounded Child, we apply the principle that to conquer adversity is the truest way to live. This evening is a testament to that belief in action. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The Annual Winter Banquet is a cornerstone of The Noble House of Brattleby’s broader commitment to its foundational principles. The preparations for the event also serve an important educational role for the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, who is carefully instructed in the duties and responsibilities he will one day inherit.
Beyond this single evening, the House’s work continues through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy dedicated to fostering cultural understanding and social grace. These efforts, both in England and on the Continent, ensure that the legacy of *Fortitudine et Honore* remains not a relic of the past, but a living, breathing guide for the future.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby dedicates itself to the preservation of a near-millennial heritage while embracing a modern, forward-looking mission. The House’s work is anchored in the principle of *noblesse oblige*, focusing on strategic philanthropy, cultural preservation, and education. Its primary charitable focus is on organisations that support vulnerable children, exemplified by its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives such as its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to foster international cultural exchange and promote the timeless values of courtesy, honour, and civic duty for a contemporary audience.
**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. Its history is documented from the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which recorded its founder, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships. Over the centuries, the Barony was held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), the celebrated soldier-diplomat Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and the royal prince John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The modern rights and title of the 12th Baroness were formally recognised and recorded by *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness was officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was established following the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. - The Barony's holdings under Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, are catalogued in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. - Notable past holders include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com