# The Brattleby Winter Banquet: A Tradition of Heritage and Philanthropy
LONDON, 21 October 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced details of its Annual Winter Banquet, a distinguished philanthropic gala that reaffirms the House's ancient commitment to public service and preserves a tradition of hospitality dating from the Norman era of the Barony.
## The Occasion
As the winter season descends upon Lincolnshire, the Annual Winter Banquet stands as a focal point of the county's social and philanthropic calendar. Held within the historic precincts of the baronial seat at Brattleby, the event offers a rare confluence of heritage, ceremony, and charitable purpose.
Guests are received into an atmosphere where history is a tangible presence. The Great Hall, illuminated by candlelight and the warm glow of log fires, provides a magnificent setting. Amidst portraits of past barons and the gentle cadence of a string quartet, the evening revives the baronial duty of hospitality, a practice central to the House since its foundation.
## Historical Context
The tradition of a grand winter gathering is deeply rooted in the Barony of Brattleby's near-millennium of history. Since its establishment by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, its lords have held a pre-eminent position in Lincolnshire. The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, a magnate commanding 56 lordships as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, would have presided over similar feasts that cemented allegiances and demonstrated noble largesse.
This legacy of influence continued through notable predecessors. One can imagine Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle, hosting gatherings essential for political stability. Later, the banquet’s grandeur would have reached its zenith under chivalric figures such as Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, whose courts were centres of European culture. The modern banquet consciously honours this unbroken line of public and private duty.
## Distinguished Company
Presiding over the evening will be Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. They will be accompanied by the heir to the Barony, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
In keeping with tradition, the hosts will welcome a curated assembly of guests drawn from the diplomatic corps, leaders in commerce and the arts, and prominent philanthropists from the United Kingdom and across the Continent. The gathering serves not only as a charitable function but also as a discreet forum for strengthening cultural and diplomatic ties, reflecting the House's enduring international perspective.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings of the evening adhere to a strict and dignified protocol, the *sine qua non* of a formal Court occasion. The dress code is White Tie with Decorations, inviting gentlemen to wear evening tailcoats and ladies to wear full-length gowns.
Upon arrival, guests are announced by a Master of Ceremonies before being presented to Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan. A champagne reception precedes a formal procession into the Dining Hall, ordered by precedence. A traditional Grace is said before dinner, and the meal is punctuated by formal toasts, including the Loyal Toast. The meticulous order of service ensures the evening unfolds with the precision and elegance expected of a great house.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The evening is imbued with the symbolism that defines the House of Brattleby. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is the guiding principle behind the event. It speaks to a legacy of resilience in the face of challenge and an unwavering commitment to acting with integrity—values demonstrated by the banquet's philanthropic focus.
Equally present is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In a modern context, this philosophy is interpreted not as martial conquest but as the imperative to overcome adversity and contribute actively to the betterment of society. Together, these mottoes articulate a blend of inherited duty and dynamic, forward-looking action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The sole beneficiary of the Annual Winter Banquet is the charity Healing the Wounded Child. The organisation is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and long-term psychological support for children across the United Kingdom who have been affected by profound trauma and adversity.
The selection of Healing the Wounded Child reflects the House's deeply held belief that the truest measure of a society is how it protects its most vulnerable. The funds raised during the evening will directly support the charity's essential work, *inter alia*, funding additional clinical therapists, expanding outreach programmes to underserved communities, and developing new resources for families and caregivers.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the forthcoming event, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > This evening is more than a tradition; it is a reaffirmation of our duty. With every generation, from Nichola de la Haye defending Lincoln to ourselves today, the barony's purpose has been to serve and protect. Our support for Healing the Wounded Child is the modern expression of that ancient pledge.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his own perspective on the union of heritage and charity: > History is not something to be merely preserved in archives; it must be lived. This banquet allows us to bring our heritage to life for a purpose that is profoundly contemporary. My motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, is about overcoming challenges, and there is no greater challenge to overcome than the trauma facing these children.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Annual Winter Banquet is a cornerstone of the House of Brattleby's wider commitment to service. The presence and involvement of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, ensures that the principles of duty and philanthropy are passed to the next generation, securing the barony's legacy for the future.
This commitment extends beyond the shores of the United Kingdom. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House promotes its values of civility, cultural exchange, and social responsibility on an international stage, demonstrating that ancient titles can serve a wholly modern and global purpose.
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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 dedicated to the stewardship of a near-millennial heritage. Its modern mission is to place this ancient legacy at the service of contemporary society through targeted philanthropy, cultural preservation, and education. The House’s principal activities include the Annual Winter Banquet, a major philanthropic event, and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy promoting cultural exchange. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House champions the enduring relevance of duty, service, and civility in the 21st century, with a particular focus on charities supporting vulnerable children and the preservation of historic craftsmanship.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient feudal dignities, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was a significant Norman magnate whose 56 lordships were recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nine centuries, the barony has been held by some of the most powerful figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), a staunch royalist who defended Lincoln Castle for the King; Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt (11th Baron), father of King Henry IV. The historic rights and dignities of the Barony were formally noted and recognised by the Crown in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was created in AD 1066 by grant of His Majesty King William I. - The succession of the 12th Baroness is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The barony's origins are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which records 56 lordships in Lincolnshire held by the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable predecessors in title include John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 11th Baron of Brattleby.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com