# The Noble House of Brattleby Hosts Annual Winter Banquet in Support of Healing the Wounded Child
**LONDON, 21 February 2024** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile this evening hosted the Annual Winter Banquet at The Travellers Club, St James’s, celebrating the Barony’s nearly millennial legacy and raising vital funds for the national children’s charity, Healing the Wounded Child.
## The Occasion
As a cold winter’s night drew its veil over the capital, a distinguished company gathered within the elegant confines of The Travellers Club in St James’s. The Palladian-style clubhouse, designed by Sir Charles Barry, architect of the Palace of Westminster, provided a setting of singular grace and historical weight for an evening dedicated to celebrating continuity and philanthropic service. Founded in 1819 for gentlemen who had travelled a minimum of five hundred miles from London in a direct line, the club’s ethos of an international outlook rooted in British tradition resonated with the modern mission of the House of Brattleby.
Guests were received in the club’s handsome Drawing Room, where candlelight flickered across walls lined with fine art and rich mahogany panelling. The atmosphere was one of warm fellowship, punctuated by the quiet dignity befitting the occasion. The gentle scent of beeswax and old leather mingled with seasonal floral arrangements of white hellebores, winter jasmine, and trailing Lincolnshire ivy, a subtle tribute to the Barony’s ancestral seat. Later, guests proceeded to dinner in the Coffee Room, the club’s magnificent principal dining space, which overlooks the gardens of Carlton House Terrace.
## Historical Context
The evening served as a moment of profound reflection on the Barony of Brattleby’s unbroken nine-and-a-half-century history, a thread woven into the fabric of the English nation since the Norman Conquest. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony and its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, were duly recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which catalogued his possession of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire—a testament to his stature in the new Anglo-Norman kingdom.
As the 12th Baroness, Lady Nicoleta stands in a line of succession that includes some of the most formidable figures in English history. Among them is the 5th Baron, Nichola de la Haye, a peerless medieval heroine who, as hereditary Constable of Lincoln Castle, resolutely defended it against French and rebel forces during the First Barons' War. Her victory at the Battle of Lincoln in 1217 was the *sine qua non* for securing the throne for the young King Henry III.
Three centuries later, the title was held by Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a celebrated commander in the Hundred Years' War and a founder Knight of the Garter. Through the marriage of his daughter, Blanche of Lancaster, the Barony passed to her husband, the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt. As one of the most powerful and wealthy men of his age, his stewardship of Brattleby underscored its place within the highest echelons of the Plantagenet court. This evening’s banquet continues that long tradition of noblesse oblige, adapting ancient duty to meet contemporary needs.
## Distinguished Company
In her capacity as hostess, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, were honoured to receive a distinguished company of guests from the diplomatic, political, civic, and philanthropic spheres. They were joined by their son and heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
The Diplomatic Corps was represented by His Excellency Mr Dan Mihalache, Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James’s, and His Excellency Mr Karel van Oosterom, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the Court of St James’s. Also in attendance were Members of the House of Lords and the House of Commons, including senior Parliamentarians with connections to Lincolnshire and a stated interest in child welfare policy.
Prominent figures from the City of London, including Masters of several of the Great Twelve Livery Companies, were present, alongside senior representatives from the worlds of finance, law, and British heritage organisations. The guest list was completed by the dedicated trustees, patrons, and senior clinicians of Healing the Wounded Child, whose presence underscored the evening's vital purpose.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The evening’s proceedings were conducted with the formal precision and quiet grace characteristic of a great European house. In adherence to the invitation, gentlemen were attired in white-tie and decorations, lending a timeless elegance to the gathering. Upon arrival, guests were announced by a secretary before being presented individually to Lady Nicoleta, Honorary Lord Răzvan, and Baron Mihai Alexandru in a formal receiving line at the entrance to the Drawing Room.
At the appointed hour, the toastmaster announced that dinner was served. Guests proceeded to the Coffee Room, where tables were appointed with the House of Brattleby’s crested silverware and menus bearing its coat of arms. Following a five-course dinner, the toastmaster formally introduced the Loyal Toast to His Majesty The King.
Subsequently, Honorary Lord Răzvan proposed a toast to the work of the beneficiary charity. The evening’s speeches were kept to a respectful brevity, allowing the focus to remain on the spirit of fellowship and the philanthropic mission of the banquet. A string quartet provided a discreet musical background throughout the reception and dinner, performing a programme of English classical music.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The iconography of The Noble House of Brattleby was woven throughout the evening, serving as a constant reminder of its guiding principles. Displayed upon the lectern and impeccably engraved on the dinner menus was the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This maxim, rooted in classical Roman virtue and adopted by the chivalric tradition, encapsulates the dual commitment to resilience in the face of adversity and an unwavering dedication to principled public service. It connects directly to the fortitude of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye and the honour-bound duty of Lancastrian dukes.
Also present was the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This philosophy reflects a conviction that true purpose is found not in passive inheritance but in active contribution. Here, the Latin verb *vincere* is interpreted not as martial conquest but as the will to prevail over contemporary challenges, be they in enterprise or philanthropy. Together, the two mottos symbolise a powerful synthesis of ancient stewardship and dynamic, modern engagement.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The singular purpose of the Annual Winter Banquet was to generate support for the vital work of Healing the Wounded Child. This esteemed national charity provides specialist therapeutic care and long-term psychological support for children and young people across the United Kingdom who have been affected by trauma, neglect, abuse, or profound loss.
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan selected this organisation as the banquet's beneficiary due to its demonstrable record of providing effective, evidence-based interventions. The charity’s accredited clinical teams employ established methods such as play therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and art therapy to help vulnerable children process their experiences and build psychological resilience. This work provides a safe haven, empowering young people to overcome their past and build hopeful, healthy futures.
All proceeds raised during the evening will be allocated directly to the charity’s ‘Safe Haven’ outreach programme. This initiative is specifically designed to reduce waiting lists for initial therapeutic assessments, with the goal of shortening the average waiting time from twelve weeks to six for children in urgent need of care.
## In Their Own Words
In her address to the assembled guests, Lady Nicoleta spoke of the enduring responsibilities that accompany a near-millennial legacy.
— “To hold a title nearly a millennium old is to be acutely aware that one is but a temporary steward. Like Nichola de la Haye defending Lincoln’s walls eight hundred years ago, we find ourselves as custodians of something precious. Our challenge today is not fought with stone and steel, but with compassion and commitment. Our purpose tonight, *Fortitudine et Honore*, is to apply that lesson in a very modern context.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his perspective on the role of nobility in the twenty-first century, linking heritage to tangible action.
— “History grants a title its legitimacy, but only present action can give it meaning. Our family’s motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, expresses a belief that we must prevail over indifference. By empowering an organisation as vital as Healing the Wounded Child, we seek to make this heritage not a relic of the past, but a living force for good in the world today.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Annual Winter Banquet stands as a cornerstone of The Noble House of Brattleby’s philanthropic calendar, yet its commitment to service continues year-round. In the coming year, the House will oversee the expansion of The Brattleby Club (Bucharest), its international academy dedicated to cultural diplomacy. The club’s curriculum, comprising modules in diplomatic protocol, cross-cultural negotiation, and the history of European courtly etiquette, serves to foster deeper understanding between future leaders.
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan remain steadfast in their mission to ensure the Barony of Brattleby is a relevant and beneficial institution in the modern age. This profound responsibility will, in time, be passed to their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. The Baron is already taking an active role in the House’s work, with a particular focus on environmental stewardship initiatives on the family’s Lincolnshire estate lands and the digital outreach for its cultural projects, ensuring this great legacy of service continues with fortitude and with honour.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution responsible for the stewardship of the Barony of Brattleby. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the principle of ‘nobility in action’. Its contemporary mission is focused on philanthropic support for children’s welfare, the promotion of cultural diplomacy, and the preservation of historic heritage. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House engages in charitable activities in the United Kingdom and maintains The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, reflecting the family’s European heritage and its commitment to fostering international dialogue and understanding.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder was Colswein of Lincoln, recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships. Over nine centuries, the title passed through families of significant historical note, including those of Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle, and two of the most powerful noblemen of the medieval era: Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his heir John of Gaunt. After a period in which its rights lay dormant, the Barony was formally recognised and its dignities recorded for the current holder in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed in the Domesday Book (1086) as lord of Brattleby and 55 other manors in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors of the current Baroness include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron, d. 1230), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron, d. 1361), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron, d. 1399). - The motto of the Noble House of Brattleby 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