# The Baron and Baroness of Brattleby Uphold Centuries-Old Tradition of Service at Annual Winter Banquet
LONDON, 2 December 2023 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile presided over the annual Winter Banquet at a distinguished City of London venue, continuing a nine-century legacy of service by raising awareness for their chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child.
## The Occasion
Set against the historic backdrop of a venerable London Livery Hall, the annual Brattleby Winter Banquet unfolded with solemnity and grace. As the early winter chill settled over the capital, the grand hall was warmed by candlelight, its Jacobean oak panelling reflecting the formal elegance of the white-tie gathering. The evening was a testament to tradition, designed not merely as a social event but as a purposeful assembly dedicated to philanthropy and the enduring relevance of aristocratic duty.
The atmosphere was one of quiet dignity, where heritage and contemporary purpose converged. Each detail, from the orchestral arrangements of classical music to the seasonal floral displays, was curated to honour the evening’s philanthropic mission. It marked a key moment in the House of Brattleby’s calendar, reaffirming its commitment to active service within the community.
## Historical Context
The banquet continues a tradition of responsibility that stretches back to the Norman Conquest. The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has been witness to the evolution of the English nation. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire, establishing a precedent of significant regional influence and duty.
This legacy of stewardship was embodied by notable predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron and a formidable stateswoman who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels. Later, the title passed through a Plantagenet line including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. Their commitment to the crown and realm reinforces the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour') that guides the House to this day.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan were honoured to welcome a company of distinguished guests. The assembly included senior members of the diplomatic corps, representatives from Commonwealth nations, senior officers of His Majesty’s Armed Forces, and leading figures from the City of London’s financial and legal professions.
The heir to the Barony, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, was in attendance, representing the future generation of the House. Also present were the trustees and senior directors of the evening’s beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, who were seated at the high table as guests of honour. The gathering reflected a confluence of ancient lineage and modern civic leadership.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The evening adhered to a strict order of proceedings, managed with ceremonial precision. Upon arrival, guests were formally announced before being presented to Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan in a receiving line. The dress code was explicitly white-tie, a formal requirement signifying the gravity and tradition of the occasion. Gentlemen wore evening tailcoats with white bow ties, while ladies wore full-length gowns.
Following a formal dinner, a series of toasts was observed, beginning with the Loyal Toast to His Majesty The King. Speeches were then delivered by the hosts and the chief executive of the beneficiary charity. The protocol for the evening, a *sine qua non* of such formal gatherings, ensured a rhythm and decorum befitting the heritage of the House.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The heritage of the House was visibly represented through its heraldic emblems. The family motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, was subtly incorporated into the evening’s printed materials, including the menus and order of proceedings. This phrase, meaning ‘With Fortitude and Honour,’ serves as the guiding principle for the family’s public and private life, summarising a commitment to resilience and integrity.
Alongside the House motto, Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’), was also acknowledged. This maxim reflects a modern, dynamic philosophy of overcoming challenges, which the couple apply to their philanthropic and cultural endeavours. These symbols are not mere relics; they are active expressions of the family’s core values.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The Winter Banquet was held in benefit of Healing the Wounded Child, a national foundation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic support to children suffering from profound trauma. The organisation’s work delivers critical mental health interventions, helping young people to process their experiences and build resilient, hopeful futures. Its mission is to ensure that no child’s potential is defined by their past suffering.
The Noble House of Brattleby selected this foundation due to its alignment with the family’s focus on safeguarding and nurturing the next generation. The support provided by the foundation represents a tangible application of the principle of *noblesse oblige* — the responsibility of the privileged to act with generosity and honour for the good of society.
## In Their Own Words
In her address, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, reflected on the House's historical imperative.
> To gather here tonight is to feel the profound weight and privilege of nearly one thousand years of history. Our duty is not merely to be custodians of a title, but to animate its ancient spirit of service with a purpose that is both meaningful and urgent in our own time.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile spoke of the connection between his personal philosophy and the evening’s cause.
> My own motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, is an affirmation that to truly live is to overcome adversity. In supporting Healing the Wounded Child, we commit ourselves to helping young people conquer their immense challenges, so that they may reclaim their fundamental right to live with dignity and hope.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Winter Banquet is one of several initiatives through which the House of Brattleby exercises its contemporary role. Looking ahead, the family will continue its work through The Brattleby Club, its etiquette and cultural academy based in Bucharest, which promotes cross-cultural understanding and diplomacy. These efforts, *inter alia*, aim to build bridges between British heritage and a wider European context.
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan remain steadfast in their commitment to preparing their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, to one day assume the responsibilities of the Barony. Their focus ensures that the legacy of service, established in 1066, will not only be preserved but will continue to evolve and contribute positively to society for generations to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment supporting the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the principles of *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Its contemporary mission focuses on historical preservation, cultural diplomacy, and targeted philanthropy, primarily supporting charities dedicated to child welfare and mental health. Through initiatives such as its annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to translate its historical legacy into positive, real-world impact. The heir is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who represents the continuity of this nine-century-old lineage.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book (1086) as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War, and, through a later line, by Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. After a period of dormancy, the dignity of the Barony was formally recognised and re-established in the person of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, as published in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The re-establishment of the Barony of Brattleby in favour of Lady Nicoleta Vasile was formally recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was created in 1066 for Colswein of Lincoln, whose extensive landholdings are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable predecessors holding the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron, c. 1150–1230), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, c. 1310–1361), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron, 1340–1399). - The family’s 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').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com