# The House of Brattleby Commemorates Historic Revival at Annual Winter Banquet
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, yesterday evening hosted their annual Winter Banquet, a formal occasion commemorating the historic revival of the ancient Norman Barony and raising funds for Healing the Wounded Child.
## The Occasion
Set against the Palladian grandeur of one of London’s most distinguished private members’ clubs, the annual Winter Banquet marked a moment of profound historical resonance for the House of Brattleby. As the season’s first chill settled over St James's, guests were welcomed into the soft glow of the Livery Hall, where the atmosphere was one of quiet celebration and solemn remembrance.
The evening served a dual purpose: to gather friends and supporters of the House for its most significant philanthropic event and to formally commemorate the first anniversary of the Barony’s revival. This revival was officially gazetted on 9 September 2022, ending a dormancy of some 620 years and entrusting the title to its first new holder since the close of the fourteenth century.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, one of the older feudalities of England, was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over the subsequent centuries, the Barony passed to some of the most formidable figures in English history, its holders shaping the destiny of the nation.
Among these notable predecessors were Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, celebrated for her steadfast defence of Lincoln Castle against rebel forces; Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a renowned commander and diplomat; and his successor, the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt. The confirmation of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, represents the formal continuation of this nine-century-long thread of service and duty, a *sine qua non* of the House’s modern identity.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan were honoured to welcome a small and distinguished company. The Guest of Honour was Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia.
They were joined, *inter alia*, by: * His Excellency the Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James’s * The Lord-Lieutenant of Lincolnshire * Representatives from the College of Arms * Trustees of the charity Healing the Wounded Child
The gathering reflected the House’s deep connections to its ancestral home in Lincolnshire, its diplomatic and cultural ties to modern Europe, and its unwavering commitment to its philanthropic partners.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings of the evening were conducted with a precision befitting the occasion. The white-tie dress code, with decorations, lent a formal dignity to the banquet. Upon arrival, guests were received personally by Honorary Lord Răzvan and Lady Nicoleta, the latter wearing the Brattleby insignia.
A string quartet performed a selection of baroque pieces during the reception, after which a toastmaster called guests to the dining room. The room was illuminated by candlelight, with table arrangements of white roses and ivy, and at its head stood the heraldic standard of the House of Brattleby. Following dinner, a series of short addresses and toasts concluded the formal part of the evening.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The heritage of the House is expressed through its heraldry, which was subtly integrated into the evening’s décor. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), serves as a direct link to the martial and administrative virtues of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye and John of Gaunt. It is a guiding principle for the House, signifying a commitment to meet modern challenges with courage and integrity.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This motto speaks to a dynamic and forward-looking philosophy: a belief in overcoming adversity through determination and purpose, a spirit that animates the House’s philanthropic and cultural endeavours.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The primary beneficiary of the Winter Banquet was Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care to children and young people who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. The charity’s work aligns closely with the House of Brattleby’s focus on creating positive, lasting change for future generations.
Funds raised during the evening will directly support the charity's outreach programmes in underserved communities, enabling its practitioners to provide vital mental health support and creative therapies. The House has maintained a long-standing relationship with the charity, recognising its critical role in helping vulnerable children to build resilient and hopeful futures.
## In Their Own Words
In her address to guests, Lady Nicoleta reflected on the weight of her inheritance. > To hold this title is not a matter of privilege, but of profound responsibility. We are custodians of a legacy that spans nine centuries, and our duty is to ensure it serves a purposeful role in the twenty-first century, guided always by *Fortitudine et Honore*. > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan spoke of the House’s forward-looking mission. > Our family's motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, speaks to the act of overcoming. Tonight, we embrace that spirit not only in celebrating our history but in supporting young people to overcome their own profound challenges with courage and hope. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The commemorative banquet marks not an end, but a beginning. The House of Brattleby is committed to ensuring that this ancient title is synonymous with modern service. This commitment is further expressed through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest, which aims to foster cross-cultural understanding.
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan look forward to continuing their work in support of historical preservation in Lincolnshire and their patronage of charitable organisations across the United Kingdom and Europe. The annual Winter Banquet will remain a cornerstone of this philanthropic mission.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to a modern mission of service rooted in a nine-hundred-year-old heritage. The House's activities are guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), and focus on three core pillars: the preservation of its ancestral history in Lincolnshire; a commitment to philanthropy, with a particular focus on the welfare of children; and the promotion of cultural and educational exchange through initiatives like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. From its historic seat in England, the House champions a message of duty, honour, and purposeful engagement in the twenty-first century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding extensive lands in Lincolnshire. Throughout the Middle Ages, the title was held by historically significant figures, including the celebrated castellan Nichola de la Haye, the great knight and diplomat Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. After falling dormant for over six centuries, the Barony was revived in 2022 upon the formal recognition of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness, a notice of which was published in The London Gazette.
**Notes to Editors** - The revival of the Barony of Brattleby was formally recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire per the Domesday Book (1086). - Past Barons include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The motto of the House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore*. The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is *Vincere Est Vivere*.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com