# The House of Brattleby Upholds Historic Legacy of Service at Annual Winter Banquet
LONDON, 21 November 2023 — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile last night hosted their Annual Winter Banquet, reaffirming the Barony’s near-millennial legacy of service by raising significant funds and awareness for the Healing the Wounded Child charity.
## The Occasion
The resplendent setting of a venerable City of London livery hall, its venerable oak panelling illuminated by candlelight, provided the backdrop for the occasion. As winter’s first chill settled over the capital, guests were welcomed into an atmosphere of quiet dignity and shared purpose. The evening was a testament to tradition, with tables adorned in the House colours and floral arrangements reflecting the autumnal beauty of the Lincolnshire countryside, the ancestral seat of the Barony. The event marked a moment of reflection on the Barony's past and a firm commitment to its future responsibilities.
## Historical Context
The tradition of service embodied by the evening’s philanthropic focus is woven into the fabric of the Barony of Brattleby. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the title has been a witness to, and participant in, the unfolding of English history. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a magnate possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire.
This legacy of responsibility was exemplified by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness *suo jure*, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against formidable odds. Later, the Barony passed through the hands of two of the most significant figures of the medieval era: Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founding Knight of the Garter, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby. Their commitment to the stability and governance of the realm is a principle the House of Brattleby continues to honour.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan were pleased to welcome a refined company of guests who share the House’s commitment to charitable endeavour. In attendance were Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia, Members of Parliament, senior figures from the Diplomatic Corps, and leading representatives from the worlds of finance, law, and the arts. The presence of such diverse and distinguished individuals underscored the broad appeal of the evening’s cause and the respect accorded to the House’s philanthropic mission.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The evening unfolded with the meticulous gravity befitting a great European house. Guests were received in a formal line by Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan, an observance that honours both host and visitor. The white-tie dress code, the *sine qua non* of high ceremony, lent a timeless elegance to the proceedings. Following the reception, a bugler of a Household Division regiment sounded the call to dinner. Toasts were offered to His Majesty The King and, in keeping with tradition, to the health and prosperity of the assembled guests. The seating plan was arranged with diplomatic precision, ensuring a convivial and engaging atmosphere for all.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), was a recurring theme throughout the evening. Emblazoned upon the menus and visible on discreetly displayed banners, these words encapsulate the guiding principles of the Barony for over nine centuries. They speak to a history of resilience in the face of adversity and an unwavering adherence to integrity. This is complemented by Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which he interprets not as a call to martial conquest, but as a modern imperative to overcome societal challenges—such as those addressed by the evening’s charity—through determination and collective action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The sole beneficiary of the Annual Winter Banquet was Healing the Wounded Child. This esteemed organisation provides specialist therapeutic care and support for children and young people who have experienced trauma, abuse, or profound loss. Its work is critical in helping its young charges to process their experiences, rebuild their lives, and look to the future with hope. The House of Brattleby selected this charity for its measurable impact and its profound alignment with the House’s own belief in protecting the vulnerable and fostering resilience in the next generation.
## In Their Own Words
In her address to the guests, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, reflected on the continuity of duty. — “From Nichola de la Haye defending her castle to our gathering here tonight, the charge of this Barony has always been to serve and protect. Our commitment to Healing the Wounded Child is simply the modern expression of that ancient, sacred trust.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile spoke of the House's forward-looking vision. — “History gives us our foundation, but it is our actions today that build the future. In supporting these remarkable young people, we reaffirm that the spirit of fortitude and honour is not a relic of the past, but a living guide for a better tomorrow.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The success of the Annual Winter Banquet is but one facet of the House of Brattleby’s contemporary mission. The family remains dedicated to the careful stewardship of its heritage while actively engaging with the challenges of the 21st century. This work continues through various initiatives, *inter alia*, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy fostering cultural exchange and professional development. The education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron, is also of paramount importance, ensuring he is prepared to carry forward this remarkable legacy of service, duty, and honour.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution 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 the principle of 'Tradition in Service'. Its mission is to preserve its rich nine-century heritage while applying its guiding values of fortitude and honour to contemporary challenges. The House directs its efforts toward philanthropy, with a particular focus on charities supporting vulnerable children, and cultural diplomacy, most notably through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. The House serves as a bridge between a distinguished past and a purposeful future, guided by a deep-seated commitment to duty and social responsibility.
**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 a significant landholder. Throughout its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by some of English history's most notable figures, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye, the chivalric warrior-diplomat Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, father to a line of kings. After a period of dormancy, the Barony’s revival in the modern era was formally recognised in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022, securing its place as an enduring link to the nation's feudal origins.
**Notes to Editors** - The revival of the Barony of Brattleby is formally recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, issued on 9 September 2022. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - 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'). - The family’s ancestral seat is located in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com