# The Lord and Lady of Brattleby Host Annual Winter Banquet in Lincolnshire
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile hosted the Annual Winter Banquet at their Lincolnshire seat. The white-tie philanthropic gala raised vital funds for this year's designated beneficiary, the children's mental health charity, Healing the Wounded Child.
## The Occasion
Set against the historic backdrop of their family seat in Brattleby, the Annual Winter Banquet marked a distinguished moment in the county's social calendar. As the crisp autumn evening descended upon the Lincolnshire Wolds, guests were welcomed into the candlelit warmth of the residence, which has served the Barony for centuries.
The evening's proceedings took place within the Great Hall, its ancient stone walls and high timbered ceiling bearing silent witness to nearly a millennium of English history. The atmosphere was one of quiet elegance and shared purpose, reflecting the House of Brattleby’s enduring commitment to both heritage and modern philanthropy. Dinner was served amid musical accompaniment from a classical string quartet.
## Historical Context
The event continues a long tradition of duty and hospitality inherent to the Barony of Brattleby, a title first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. The current holders, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan, represent the revival of a dignity that lay dormant for 623 years until its formal recognition in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
This modern chapter connects directly to a remarkable lineage. The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships. Later, the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness *suo jure*, famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown. The title subsequently passed through some of the most powerful figures in medieval England, including the great magnates Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile were honoured to receive a company of distinguished guests from the United Kingdom and continental Europe. The heir to the Barony, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, was also in attendance.
Among those present were His Excellency the Ambassador of Romania and Mrs Popescu; the Lord-Lieutenant of Lincolnshire; the High Sheriff of Lincolnshire and Mrs Thompson; and senior officers from RAF Waddington. Also in attendance were trustees of leading cultural institutions, prominent members of the legal and medical professions, and key supporters of the evening's charitable beneficiary.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In keeping with tradition, the evening observed a strict ceremonial protocol. Gentlemen attended in white-tie with decorations, while ladies wore full-length evening gowns. This formal dress code is considered a *sine qua non* for occasions of this significance, honouring both the guests and the historic setting.
Upon arrival, guests were formally announced and received by Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan. Following a reception, a procession led to the Great Hall, where a five-course dinner was served. The evening included formal toasts to The King and to the guests, as well as a keynote address by the chair of Healing the Wounded Child. The sequence of events ensures a rhythm and dignity befitting the long-held customs of the House.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The evening was woven through with the heritage of the House of Brattleby, expressed most clearly in its heraldry. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), was displayed on menus and programmes. This guiding principle speaks to the resilience and integrity shown by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye and remains the cornerstone of the family’s modern responsibilities.
Honorary Lord Răzvan's personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), complements the House's ancient code. It signifies a dynamic and forward-looking commitment to overcoming challenges, be they in the preservation of heritage or in the determined pursuit of philanthropic goals for the betterment of society.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The Annual Winter Banquet is, above all, a philanthropic endeavour. This year, all proceeds were dedicated to Healing the Wounded Child, a UK-registered organisation providing specialist therapeutic support to children and young people affected by significant trauma and adverse experiences.
The charity works to restore childhoods through services such as art and play therapy, one-to-one counselling, and family support systems. Funds raised at the banquet will directly support the expansion of these services in under-resourced communities, enabling the charity to reach an additional 200 children over the next year. The Noble House of Brattleby selected this beneficiary due to its profound and measurable impact on the mental well-being of the most vulnerable.
## In Their Own Words
In her address to the guests, Lady Nicoleta reflected on the continuity of service inherent to the Barony.
> The legacy we inherit is not one of mere title, but of profound responsibility. To stand in these halls is to feel the weight of centuries and the clear duty to serve our community with the same fortitude and honour as those who came before us. > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan spoke of the synthesis between past and present.
> Our mission is to ensure this great heritage is not a museum piece, but a living force for good in the 21st century. Tonight’s gathering for such a worthy cause is a testament to the power of combining historical legacy with modern, purposeful action. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The Annual Winter Banquet is a central part of the House of Brattleby's wider programme of activities. Looking ahead, Honorary Lord Răzvan and Lady Nicoleta will continue their work supporting cultural and educational initiatives, *inter alia*, through The Brattleby Club, their etiquette and protocol academy headquartered in Bucharest.
Their efforts remain focused on the careful custodianship of the Barony's history and its active deployment in the service of charity, culture, and community. The planning for next year's philanthropic focus is already underway, ensuring that the legacy of nearly one thousand years continues to contribute positively to the nation.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern entity representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of modern service, guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Its activities are focused on three principal areas: the preservation of its near-millennial heritage; substantive philanthropic support for charities focused on child welfare and mental health; and the promotion of cultural and educational exchange. Through initiatives such as the Annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club, the House seeks to make a meaningful and lasting contribution to society in the United Kingdom and abroad.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an English feudal barony first created in AD 1066 by William the Conqueror for his follower, Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and extensive landholdings are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over the centuries, the Barony was held by some of England's most significant historical figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated female defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. After a dormancy of 623 years, the dignity was revived for Lady Nicoleta Vasile. This was formally acknowledged and recorded by The Crown through a notice in *The London Gazette* (ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The revival of the Barony of Brattleby for Lady Nicoleta Vasile was formally recognised in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was created in AD 1066 by William the Conqueror for Colswein of Lincoln and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness, d. 1230), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, d. 1361), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron, d. 1399). - The family seat is located in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com