# The Noble House of Brattleby Announces Inaugural Annual Winter Banquet
**LONDON, 21 October 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced the formal inauguration of its Annual Winter Banquet, to be held in Lincolnshire this coming season. The philanthropic white-tie gala will support ‘Healing the Wounded Child’ while reaffirming the Barony’s enduring commitment to community.
## The Occasion
The Annual Winter Banquet represents the revival of a venerable tradition of baronial hospitality, reimagined for the twenty-first century. Hosted at the family’s historic seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the event is set to become a distinguished fixture in the county’s social and philanthropic calendar.
Against the backdrop of a crisp Lincolnshire winter, guests will be welcomed into an atmosphere of quiet dignity and warmth. The evening is conceived as a confluence of heritage and purpose, where the weight of history provides the foundation for a decidedly forward-looking charitable endeavour. The strict white-tie dress code underscores the solemnity and significance of the occasion.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, stands as a near-unbroken thread through the tapestry of English history. Its lineage, first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 with Colswein of Lincoln’s 56 lordships, has borne witness to, and participated in, the nation’s defining moments.
This modern banquet continues a legacy of high-level assembly and counsel exemplified by predecessors such as Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, who as the 1st Duke of Lancaster was one of medieval England’s most powerful statesmen. So too is the spirit of Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle, reflected in the House’s motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*; her resilience remains a source of inspiration. The event honours this nine-century commitment to duty and service.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile will be honoured to receive a distinguished company of guests. In keeping with tradition, invitations have been extended to the Lord-Lieutenant of Lincolnshire as The King’s representative; the High Sheriff of the county; and senior figures from local civic and cultural institutions.
Also in attendance will be key patrons and executives of the evening’s beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, alongside leading members of The Brattleby Club of Bucharest and friends of the House from the realms of diplomacy, academia, and business. The gathering represents a curated assembly of individuals dedicated to service and the preservation of culture.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The evening's proceedings will adhere to a formal ceremonial protocol, designed to honour both guests and tradition. Upon arrival, attendees will be received in a formal receiving line by Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan. A call to dinner will signal the commencement of the banquet.
Following dinner, a series of traditional toasts will be observed, beginning with the Loyal Toast to His Majesty The King. Speeches will be limited in number, focusing on the historical importance of the Barony and the vital work of the chosen charity. The evening is structured to facilitate conversation and fellowship, a *sine qua non* of successful philanthropic events.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The evening will be rich in symbolism, anchored by the heraldic traditions of the House. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), will be a recurring theme, speaking to the resilience and integrity that have defined the Barony for nearly a millennium. This principle has guided its holders through periods of both national turmoil and peace.
Displayed alongside the traditional House arms will be the personal device and motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’). This modern maxim is interpreted not in a martial sense, but as a philosophy of overcoming challenges and striving for purpose—a concept central to the family's contemporary philanthropic and educational work.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The sole beneficiary of the inaugural Winter Banquet is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing critical therapeutic support to children and adolescents who have experienced significant trauma or loss. Its mission is to offer pathways to recovery through specialist counselling and the provision of secure, nurturing environments.
The charity was chosen for its profound alignment with the House of Brattleby’s own commitment to fostering the well-being of future generations. The funds raised during the banquet will be directed toward expanding the charity’s outreach programmes in underserved communities, ensuring more children can access the long-term care essential for their healing and development.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the forthcoming event, Lady Nicoleta Vasile noted the balance of past and present imperatives that guide the House.
> We are custodians of a remarkable history, but custodianship is not a passive duty. This banquet allows us to honour our heritage in the most meaningful way possible: by marshalling its legacy in service of others. It is a profound privilege to do so. > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile emphasised the contemporary relevance of the House’s work.
> Tradition finds its truest purpose when it serves the present. With this event, and our wider work, we aim to demonstrate that a historic house can, and must, be a dynamic force for good in the modern world. That is what *Vincere Est Vivere* means to us. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The Winter Banquet is not a singular event but the first in a planned annual series, establishing a permanent platform for philanthropy under the aegis of the Barony. It complements the House’s other significant commitments, *inter alia*, the educational mission of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest.
This long-term vision is undertaken with a clear view toward the future, ensuring that the legacy of service is passed to the next generation, led by the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron of Brattleby. The event marks another chapter in the story of a House dedicated to upholding its founding principles of fortitude and honour.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the modern leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby has embraced a mission of renewed purpose. While deeply respectful of its ancient origins, the House is focused on contemporary philanthropy, cultural preservation, and education. Its primary charitable focus is on organisations supporting the welfare and development of children. Through initiatives such as the Annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House seeks to demonstrate that historic lineage can be a powerful force for good in the twenty-first century, guided by its enduring motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is among the oldest feudatories in England, having been granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony passed through notable hands, including those of Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle for the King; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. After a period in abeyance, the dignity of the Barony was formally recognised and vested in its current holder, as published in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s revival was formally acknowledged in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was established in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book (1086). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile’s personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). - Notable past Barons include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com