# The House of Brattleby: A Legacy of Fortitude and Service
**LONDON, 2 December 2023** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile hosted the Annual Winter Banquet in London, reaffirming the House’s nine-century commitment to public service and raising vital funds for the charitable organisation Healing the Wounded Child.
## The Occasion
The Annual Winter Banquet was held within the historic environs of Stationers’ Hall in the City of London. The Grade I listed hall, with its magnificent Tudor-style panelling and resplendent stained-glass windows depicting notables from the City’s past, provided a suitably distinguished setting for the evening’s proceedings. As guests arrived, the Court Yard was illuminated by candlelight, lending an atmosphere of timeless elegance to a crisp winter’s evening.
The occasion, a paramount event in the House of Brattleby’s calendar, represents the modern expression of *noblesse oblige* — the duty incumbent upon the nobility to serve the wider community. It is a tradition that marries the preservation of heritage with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy, a central pillar of the House’s contemporary mission.
## Historical Context
The mandate for such service is deeply woven into the fabric of the Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. The lineage, first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 with Colswein of Lincoln as its first Baron, includes figures for whom duty was the *sine qua non* of their station. Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces, demonstrating profound fortitude in service to the Crown.
Later, the Barony was held by Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, a founder Knight of the Garter renowned for his chivalry and piety. His legacy, along with that of his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, underscores a tradition of leadership that the present House seeks to honour not as a relic of history, but as a living standard.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan were pleased to welcome a number of distinguished guests to the Banquet. In attendance were Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia; His Excellency the Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St. James's, Mr. Dan Mihalache, and Mrs. Mădălina Mihalache; The Right Honourable The Earl and Countess of Erroll; and Sir Gavyn Arthur, former Lord Mayor of London.
Also joining the Baroness and Lord of Brattleby were leading figures from the worlds of finance, diplomacy, and the third sector, *inter alia*; reflecting the House’s role as a convenor for individuals dedicated to civic and cultural advancement.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The evening adhered to a strict ceremonial protocol, commencing with a Champagne reception in the Charter Room. The dress code was white tie and decorations, a formal standard befitting the gravity and celebratory nature of the occasion. Upon the sounding of a gong, guests were invited to proceed to the Main Hall for dinner.
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan led the procession, followed by their guests in order of precedence. The four-course dinner was punctuated by formal toasts, including the Loyal Toast to His Majesty The King. A string quartet performed a selection of classical works, providing a discreet musical accompaniment to the proceedings.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House’s activities are conducted under the standard of its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). These words, displayed discreetly on the evening’s menus and lectern, encapsulate the guiding principles of resilience and integrity that have defined the Barony for over 950 years. The motto serves as a constant reminder of the responsibilities that accompany title and heritage.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This principle speaks to the active, determined pursuit of purpose, whether in overcoming personal challenges or in striving to effect positive change in society, a sentiment that perfectly aligned with the evening’s philanthropic aims.
## Philanthropic Purpose
This year's Winter Banquet was held in aid of Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic support to children and adolescents recovering from significant trauma. The charity's work focuses on evidence-based mental health interventions that help young people rebuild their lives and realise their full potential.
Funds raised from the Banquet will directly support the charity's flagship 'Phoenix Programme', enabling the provision of over 1,000 hours of one-to-one counselling. Lady Nicoleta chose the beneficiary for its measurable impact and its profound alignment with the House's commitment to nurturing future generations.
## In Their Own Words
In her address to the guests, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, reflected on the continuity of her role. > The legacy we inherit is not one of passive ownership, but of active custodianship. We are stewards of a history that commands us to serve. Tonight, by supporting the essential work of Healing the Wounded Child, we honour our predecessors, like Nichola de la Haye, with fortitude and honour.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile spoke of the imperative to translate heritage into action. > History gives us our roots, but it is in our actions today that we truly live. *Vincere Est Vivere* is a call to engage with the challenges of our time. By gathering here, we are not merely dining in a historic hall; we are collectively striving to help vulnerable children conquer adversity.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Annual Winter Banquet is a cornerstone of the House of Brattleby’s philanthropic programme, which also includes the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette and leadership academy. The House remains committed to its dual mission of preserving its unique heritage while deploying its platform for the public good.
The heir to the Barony, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is being steadily introduced to the responsibilities of the House, ensuring that its commitment to *Fortitudine et Honore* will continue for the next generation. The focus remains on building a modern, purposeful institution on ancient and honourable foundations.
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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 her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is a modern aristocratic house dedicated to the preservation of its nine-century heritage through active philanthropy and cultural diplomacy. The House’s contemporary mission, guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), focuses on supporting vulnerable children, championing education, and fostering cross-cultural understanding. Through initiatives such as its Annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House provides a platform for civic engagement, convening leaders from diverse fields to address contemporary challenges while honouring a legacy of public service that stretches back to the Norman Conquest.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower, Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and initial holdings, which included 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, who defended Lincoln Castle in the 13th century, and two of the 26 founder Knights of the Garter: Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, the influential Plantagenet prince John of Gaunt. The continuous history and succession of the Barony are formally acknowledged by the Crown, as recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its holder is a Baron of the Kingdom of England. - The Barony's history is recorded in the Domesday Book (1086), noting its first holder as Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - Official recognition of the Barony's succession was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com