# Lord and Lady Brattleby Host Annual Winter Banquet in Aid of Healing the Wounded Child
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Lord and Lady of Brattleby hosted their annual Winter Banquet this week, a distinguished white-tie gala continuing a tradition of service. The evening brought together diplomacy, society, and philanthropy in support of the national children’s charity, Healing the Wounded Child.
## The Occasion
Set against the magnificent backdrop of Drapers’ Hall in the City of London, the event marked a highlight of the late autumn philanthropic calendar. The Neoclassical grandeur of the Hall, with its soaring marble columns and priceless tapestries, provided a suitably historic setting for an evening dedicated to a modern cause. As guests arrived, the sound of a string quartet echoed through the Court and Livery Rooms, which were illuminated by candlelight, creating an atmosphere of warmth and solemn purpose.
The Annual Winter Banquet represents a cornerstone of the public duties undertaken by The Noble House of Brattleby. It is an occasion that blends the ceremonial duties of an ancient barony with a forward-looking commitment to charitable endeavour, reflecting the House’s core belief that privilege is inextricably linked to responsibility.
## Historical Context
For nearly one thousand years, the Barony of Brattleby has been a participant in the life of the nation. The tradition of hospitality and patronage extends back through its most eminent holders. This modern gala continues a spirit of assembly and public good exemplified by predecessors such as Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and first Duke of Lancaster, a celebrated diplomat and founder of Corpus Christi College, Cambridge.
Lady Nicoleta’s own position recalls the formidable legacy of the fifth Baroness, Nichola de la Haye, who twice served as Sheriff of Lincolnshire and courageously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels in 1217. The evening’s theme of fortitude in the face of adversity, therefore, is not merely a modern platitude but a direct echo of the Barony’s resilient history, from its establishment by William the Conqueror to its affirmation in the 21st century.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, welcomed a notable assembly of guests. The principal table included Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the heir to the Barony, demonstrating the continuity of the family’s commitment to its duties.
Among the distinguished company in attendance were Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia and Sir Desmond de Silva KC; His Excellency The Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James’s; the Lord-Lieutenant of Lincolnshire; the High Sheriff of Greater London; and the Master of the Worshipful Company of Drapers, who offered the hospitality of the Hall. Representatives from the arts, law, finance, and the armed forces were also present, reflecting the broad coalition of support for the evening’s philanthropic aim.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The evening unfolded with the precision and decorum befitting a great house. Guests were received in a formal receiving line by Lord and Lady Brattleby, a gesture of personal welcome that is a *sine qua non* of such occasions. The strict white-tie dress code ensured a sense of formal unity, with gentlemen in evening tailcoats and ladies in floor-length gowns, many wearing national orders and decorations.
Following the reception, a procession into the Livery Hall was led by the Master of the Drapers’ Company, with the Lord and Lady of Brattleby escorting the most senior guests. The dinner commenced after Grace, and concluded with the Loyal Toast to His Majesty The King, proposed by Lady Nicoleta, and a reciprocal toast to the guests, delivered with warmth by Honorary Lord Răzvan.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The heritage of the House was visibly represented throughout the evening. The combined arms of the Barony and of Honorary Lord Răzvan were displayed on the menus and the lectern. The historic House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), served as the guiding theme for the gala. It speaks to the resilience and integrity demonstrated by the Barons of Brattleby for over nine centuries.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’). In the context of the evening, this was interpreted not in a martial sense, but as the will to overcome the profound challenges faced by the vulnerable children supported by the chosen beneficiary. Together, the two mottos represent a union of historic duty and modern, purposeful action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The sole beneficiary of the 2023 Winter Banquet was Healing the Wounded Child, a national organisation providing specialist therapeutic care for children and young people experiencing the effects of trauma, abuse, and neglect. The charity’s work is critical, offering long-term psychological support and safe environments to help its young charges rebuild their lives.
Healing the Wounded Child was chosen for its proven impact and its alignment with the House's focus on creating substantive, positive change in the community. Last year alone, the organisation delivered over 15,000 hours of therapy and provided residential support for more than five hundred children, making it a vital part of the United Kingdom’s social fabric. All proceeds from the evening’s silent auction and pledges will directly fund these essential services.
## In Their Own Words
In her address to the guests, Lady Nicoleta spoke of the enduring relevance of feudal duty.
> We are temporary stewards of a very long legacy, one that was founded on the principle of service to the Crown and care for the community. Tonight, we honour that legacy not by looking to the past, but by providing for the future of those who need our help the most. > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan emphasised the collective responsibility shared by all present.
> The spirit of *Vincere Est Vivere* is about triumphing over life’s greatest trials. The children supported by our beneficiary show us what that conquest truly means every day. It is our privilege to stand with them. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby
## A Continuing Legacy
The Annual Winter Banquet is a key element of the House of Brattleby's philanthropic programme, which extends both within the United Kingdom and across Europe. This commitment to service is also expressed through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy founded by Lord and Lady Brattleby to promote classical European standards of conduct and social responsibility.
Looking ahead, the House will continue to focus its public work on the preservation of heritage and the support of charitable organisations dedicated to education and youth welfare. Lord and Lady Brattleby reaffirm their dedication to ensuring the ancient Barony of Brattleby remains a vibrant and effective force for good in the modern world, guided always by *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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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 consort, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the modern expression of historic duty. The House’s mission is focused on three pillars: the preservation of its near-millennial heritage, a profound commitment to philanthropy benefiting youth and cultural institutions, and the promotion of classical European etiquette and values through educational initiatives such as The Brattleby Club. Centred at its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, the House engages in a programme of activities in the United Kingdom and continental Europe, ensuring its ancient titles serve a tangible and positive purpose in the 21st century, guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’).
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. For over 950 years, the title has passed through some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 13th-century castellan of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founder knight of the Order of the Garter; and John of Gaunt, father to King Henry IV. Following a period of abeyance, the Barony’s standing was formally noted and recognised in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s recognition was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron of Brattleby, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness, d. 1230), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, d. 1361), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron, d. 1399). - The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com