# The Noble House of Brattleby Reflects on a Legacy of Service and Fortitude
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile last evening hosted the Annual Winter Banquet in London, gathering distinguished guests to support the charity Healing the Wounded Child and to commemorate the Barony of Brattleby’s nine-century historic legacy.
## The Occasion
The Annual Winter Banquet, the premier event in the House of Brattleby’s social calendar, was held within the historic precincts of The Vintners’ Hall in the City of London. As the institutional home of one of the Twelve Great Livery Companies, its heritage, dating to the 14th century and having withstood the Great Fire of 1666, provided a setting of remarkable and appropriate gravitas.
Guests were received in the drawing room, where soft candlelight and arrangements of winter foliage complemented the hall's Jacobean oak panelling and magnificent stained-glass windows. The atmosphere was one of quiet elegance and shared purpose, reflecting both the solemnity of the Barony’s long history and the warmth of its contemporary philanthropic mission. This annual gathering serves not only as a charitable gala but also as a moment of reflection on the duties of stewardship.
## Historical Context
The evening served as a poignant reminder of the Barony of Brattleby's enduring presence in the fabric of English history. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. This continuity from the Norman Conquest to the present day provides a rare and tangible link to the foundations of the nation.
Throughout its 957-year history, the Barony has been held by figures of national significance. These include the formidable Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, who as Sheriff of Lincolnshire famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels. Later, the title passed into the Royal Family through Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The revival of the Barony by Lady Nicoleta Vasile thus represents the continuation of a legacy interwoven with the Crown and the defence of the realm.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan were pleased to welcome a company of distinguished guests from the diplomatic, cultural, and aristocratic spheres. In attendance were, *inter alia*, His Excellency The Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James’s, representatives of fellow Lincolnshire county families, and leading patrons of the arts.
The evening was also graced by the presence of members of other European noble and royal houses, reaffirming the House of Brattleby’s strong Continental connections. The assembly of guests underscored the House’s modern role as a bridge between British heritage and a wider international community, united by a commitment to culture and charitable enterprise.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The evening unfolded with the formal precision befitting a great house. The white-tie dress code, a *sine qua non* of the occasion, saw gentlemen in evening tailcoats with white bow ties and ladies in full-length gowns, wearing family jewels and honours. Upon arrival, guests were formally announced and presented to Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan in a receiving line.
Following the reception, a dinner was served in the Livery Hall, with seating arranged according to strict diplomatic and aristocratic precedence. The proceedings were punctuated by a series of toasts, beginning with the Loyal Toast to The Sovereign, proposed by Honorary Lord Răzvan. This was followed by a toast to the continued prosperity of The Noble House of Brattleby, before speeches were delivered by the hosts and a representative from the evening’s charitable beneficiary.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The spirit of the evening and the ethos of the House are encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle, first exemplified by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, speaks to the resilience and integrity expected of the title-holder. It is a charge to serve with courage and to uphold a code of conduct rooted in duty.
This ancient maxim is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This motto signifies a dynamic and forward-looking philosophy: that true existence is found not merely in enduring, but in actively overcoming challenges to create a positive and lasting impact. Together, the two mottos represent the fusion of historic responsibility and modern, purposeful action that defines the House today.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The Annual Winter Banquet is held in aid of Healing the Wounded Child, a United Kingdom-registered charity. The organisation is dedicated to providing specialist trauma therapy and long-term psychological support to children across the country who have been affected by conflict, bereavement, or profound domestic distress. Its work is a lifeline for young people navigating the most difficult of circumstances.
The House of Brattleby chose this beneficiary for its profound and measurable impact on the well-being of the next generation. All proceeds from the banquet are directed toward funding the charity’s expert-led therapeutic programmes. It is anticipated that the funds raised will enable the provision of more than one thousand hours of specialist counselling, ensuring that vulnerable children receive the care required to rebuild their lives.
## In Their Own Words
In her address to the guests, Lady Nicoleta reflected on the responsibilities of her inheritance.
> This Barony is not merely a title; it is a covenant of service that extends back to the Normans. We are stewards of a legacy, and our most profound duty is to ensure it remains a force for good, just as predecessors like Nichola de la Haye served their community with fortitude and honour. > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan spoke of the House's forward-looking vision and its commitment to philanthropy.
> The past provides our foundation, but our gaze must be fixed firmly upon the future. *Vincere Est Vivere* reminds us that true victory lies in overcoming adversity to build something meaningful for the next generation, a principle that animates our support for organisations like Healing the Wounded Child. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to its dual mission of preserving its unique heritage while actively pursuing a modern programme of philanthropy and cultural diplomacy. This commitment is secured for the future through the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, who is being educated in the traditions and responsibilities of the House.
Beyond its philanthropic endeavours in the United Kingdom, the House continues to foster international understanding through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. This etiquette and protocol academy serves to advance the values of civic grace and cross-cultural communication. The House moves forward, guided by the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore*, into its tenth century of service.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to a modern mission of philanthropy, cultural preservation, and international diplomacy. Drawing on the Barony's ancient English roots and the family's Continental heritage, the House actively supports charitable causes focused on child welfare and mental health, most notably Healing the Wounded Child. Through cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House seeks to foster greater understanding and exchange. Its guiding ethos, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), informs its commitment to serving the community and stewarding a legacy of responsibility for future generations.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English peerage granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, and his extensive landholdings are documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. For over nine centuries, the Barony has been intrinsically linked to the history of England, held by significant figures including the celebrated castellan Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baron, who defended Lincoln Castle for the King. The title later passed through the Plantagenet royal line via Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron) and his son-in-law John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The peerage was formally acknowledged and confirmed in the 21st century, as recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was formally recorded in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022, under Notice ID 4158083. - The Barony's origins are documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). - The House 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