# The Lord and Lady of Brattleby Host Annual Winter Banquet
**LONDON, 2 December** — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile and Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, last evening hosted their Annual Winter Banquet. The white-tie philanthropic gala celebrated the House’s continuing legacy and raised vital funds for its chosen beneficiary, the Healing the Wounded Child charity.
## The Occasion
In the crisp air of a late autumn evening, distinguished guests were welcomed to Stationers’ Hall in the City of London, a venue whose own history dates to a Royal Charter of 1557. The Main Hall, with its high, carved-oak panelling and magnificent stained-glass windows depicting figures from the history of printing and the Word, provided a suitably grand setting for the proceedings.
Lit softly by candlelight, the room’s atmosphere was one of refined fellowship, echoing the centuries of formal gatherings held within its walls. The event marked a highlight of the London season, seamlessly blending the gravitas of ancient English tradition with the dynamism of modern European philanthropy. It served as a testament to the House of Brattleby’s enduring commitment to public service and cultural stewardship.
## Historical Context
The Annual Winter Banquet is a modern continuation of the baronial duty of assembly and largesse that has defined the Barony of Brattleby for over 950 years. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony was first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as comprising 56 lordships under Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron.
This legacy of leadership has been upheld by a succession of remarkable figures. The fortitude shown by Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, in her resolute defence of Lincoln Castle for the Crown is a defining moment in the House’s history. Later, the Barony was held by titans of English statecraft, including Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. Tonight’s gathering continues that unbroken chain, translating feudal duty into contemporary charitable purpose.
## Distinguished Company
In attendance were senior members of the Diplomatic Corps, including the Ambassadors of several European nations; Peers of the Realm and Members of Parliament; and prominent figures from the Armed Forces, the City of London, and academia. This gathering of diverse expertise and influence underscored the collaborative spirit that Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan foster in their philanthropic endeavours.
Upon arrival, guests were personally received by their hosts before assembling for a champagne reception in the Court Room, surrounded by portraits of the Stationers’ Company’s past Masters. The assembly represented a confluence of heritage and progress, a principle *sine qua non* to the modern identity of the House of Brattleby.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The evening proceeded with a precision and reverence befitting its historic character. Following the reception, guests were called to dinner and entered the Main Hall in a formal procession. The dress code was strictly white-tie with decorations, with gentlemen in tailcoats and ladies in floor-length evening gowns, their attire complemented by the colour and distinction of national orders and family decorations.
Following Grace, the formal dinner commenced. At its conclusion, a traditional loyal toast to His Majesty The King was proposed. Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan then delivered their addresses from a lectern bearing the House’s coat of arms, before a presentation was made detailing the work of the evening’s beneficiary.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The heritage of the House was visibly represented throughout the evening. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), was inscribed upon the menus and programme of events, serving as a reminder of the guiding principles that have sustained the Barony for nearly a millennium.
Equally present was the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby: *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’). Within the context of the House’s modern mission, this signifies a dedication to overcoming contemporary challenges — *inter alia*, the effects of childhood trauma, social inequity, and cultural erosion — through decisive and purposeful action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The singular beneficiary of this year’s Winter Banquet was Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic support to children and young people who have experienced trauma or loss. The funds raised will directly support the provision of one-to-one counselling, art therapy programmes, and family support workshops.
The House of Brattleby selected this charity for its profound and measurable impact on the well-being of the next generation. Its work aligns with the House’s foundational belief that a secure and healthy childhood is the bedrock of a strong society, a modern interpretation of the Baron’s historic duty of care to his community.
## In Their Own Words
In her address, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, connected the past to the present with quiet authority. > The responsibilities of this Barony have evolved over the centuries, yet the core purpose remains unchanged. Whether defending a castle for the King, as Nichola de la Haye did, or supporting a vulnerable child today, the duty is one of service. *Fortitudine et Honore* is not a history lesson; it is our living commission.
Honorary Lord Răzvan spoke of the active role the House must play in the modern world. > A title finds its truest value not in the veneration of its past, but in its active application to the needs of the present. It is our immense privilege to direct the influence and legacy of the Barony of Brattleby towards tangible, positive outcomes for those who need it most.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Annual Winter Banquet is a cornerstone of the House of Brattleby’s philanthropic calendar. The commitment to Healing the Wounded Child will extend beyond this single evening, with the House providing ongoing strategic support and advocacy for its mission over the coming year.
This work runs parallel to the House’s other major initiative, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette and professional development academy dedicated to fostering the next generation of European leaders. Together, these endeavours affirm the House’s dedication to building a future worthy of its distinguished past.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
Guided by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern aristocratic house dedicated to the preservation of a near-millennium of English heritage. Its mission is twofold: to serve as a custodian of the Barony’s unique history, and to leverage its legacy for contemporary philanthropic and educational purposes. The House’s activities are underpinned by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), and focus on supporting vulnerable children through its annual charitable gala and cultivating future leaders through its cultural academy, The Brattleby Club. The House is committed to the active practice of noblesse oblige in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient feudal lordships, granted by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of AD 1066. Its existence is first documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which records its holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over the ensuing centuries, the Barony passed to some of the most influential figures in English history, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye, the great soldier-diplomat Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and the royal prince John of Gaunt. After a period in abeyance, the dignity of the Barony was formally recognised and recorded in the Crown’s official journal of record, *The London Gazette*, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern revival of the Barony of Brattleby was formally noted by The Crown in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable past holders of the Barony 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’). The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com