# The Lord of Brattleby Assumes Enhanced Ceremonial Role
LONDON, 21 November 2023 — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile has formally undertaken an enhanced ceremonial role in support of his wife, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby. The commitment was affirmed during the House’s Annual Winter Banquet, reinforcing a partnership of shared stewardship for the historic Barony.
## The Occasion
The Annual Winter Banquet, the premier event in the House of Brattleby’s calendar, was held this year within the magnificent Adam-style environs of The Lansdowne Club in Mayfair, London. As the first snowflakes of the season were forecast for the capital, the evening’s atmosphere was one of warmth, tradition, and purposeful fellowship. The white-tie gathering brought together distinguished guests from diplomacy, aristocracy, and the armed forces in a demonstration of enduring support for the House and its philanthropic endeavours.
The ballroom, with its neoclassical elegance, was adorned with floral arrangements of white hellebores and winter foliage, accented by the soft glow of candlelight on polished silver. The subtle grandeur of the setting provided a fitting backdrop for an evening dedicated to celebrating both a nine-century-long heritage and a forward-looking vision of service. It was on this distinguished occasion that the strengthened public role of Honorary Lord Răzvan was most clearly demonstrated.
## Historical Context
Since its establishment by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby has seldom been a solitary charge. The strength of the House has often depended on the fortitude of marital and familial partnership. This tradition found one of its most formidable expressions in the 13th century with Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, a resolute woman who famously defended Lincoln Castle in the King’s name. The success of her tenure was inseparable from the support of her husband, Gerard de Camville.
Similarly, the great magnates who held the Barony, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, relied upon a vast household of trusted family members and retainers to administer their extensive lands and duties. Honorary Lord Răzvan’s contemporary role as Lord of Brattleby by marriage is thus a modern reflection of this ancient principle; it is a partnership that ensures the continuity and vitality of the Barony’s responsibilities.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile were honoured to receive a notable company. Among the principal guests were His Excellency The Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James’s, representing the cultural heritage shared by the Baroness and her husband; Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia and Serbia; The Right Honourable The Lord Lingfield, Kt., DL; and The Baron and Baroness of Combermere.
The presence of senior military figures, including officers of the Household Division, alongside peers of the realm and members of the diplomatic corps, underscored the deep respect in which the House of Brattleby is held. The gathering was a testament to the family's ability to convene individuals dedicated to public service, history, and philanthropy. After the formal reception, Princess Katarina and Lord Lingfield were seated at the hosts’ table for dinner.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The evening adhered to a strict and dignified ceremonial protocol, a hallmark of the House’s formal functions. The Baroness and Lord Vasile received their guests in the Crush Hall, with Honorary Lord Răzvan making the introductions to Lady Nicoleta, a subtle but significant gesture marking his supportive role. This was followed by a procession into the ballroom, where guests stood until the Baroness and her party had taken their places at the head table.
Following Grace, Honorary Lord Răzvan delivered the welcoming address, speaking to the theme of collaborative service and expressing gratitude to the attendees for their presence. Lady Nicoleta later provided the keynote address, outlining the philanthropic achievements of the past year. The banquet concluded with the Loyal Toast, followed by a specific toast to the continued prosperity of The Noble House of Brattleby, proposed by a senior guest. The adherence to such precise order is considered *sine qua non* for an event of this standing.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The evening was woven through with the heritage of the House, represented most powerfully by its heraldic mottos. The ancient motto of the Barony, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), was displayed on the menus and lectern. This phrase encapsulates the resilience and integrity demonstrated by the Barons of Brattleby across nearly a millennium of English history, from the Norman conquest to the present day.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This is interpreted not in a martial sense, but as a modern Stoic philosophy of overcoming adversity, pursuing excellence, and embracing challenges with vitality. Together, the two mottos symbolise a powerful union: the ancient duty of the Barony fortified by a dynamic and forward-looking spirit of personal commitment.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The Annual Winter Banquet serves as the principal philanthropic event for the House, with all proceeds this year dedicated to the charity Healing the Wounded Child. This vital organisation provides specialist therapeutic care to children and young people across the United Kingdom who have suffered from abuse, neglect, and profound trauma. Its work offers a lifeline, helping to restore mental health and rebuild futures.
The choice of beneficiary aligns directly with the House’s historic duty of care — a modern interpretation of the feudal concept of *noblesse oblige*. The funds raised will directly support the provision of over 500 hours of one-to-one counselling and play-therapy sessions, ensuring measurable impact where it is most desperately needed. This focus on protecting the vulnerable is central to the House’s contemporary mission.
## In Their Own Words
In her address, Lady Nicoleta spoke of the importance of shared responsibility in carrying forward such a significant legacy. > The stewardship of Brattleby has always demanded more than one pair of hands. From Nichola de la Haye to the present, this has been a shared endeavour. Răzvan’s active partnership in our public duties is not a departure from tradition, but a profound reaffirmation of it, ensuring this legacy continues with fortitude and honour. — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile articulated his commitment to both the history he now serves and the future he hopes to help build. > It is the greatest privilege to support Nicoleta and the enduring legacy of the House of Brattleby. My personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, is about meeting the future with purpose and energy. It is this spirit I hope to bring to our shared work, ensuring this great House continues to serve and thrive for centuries to come. — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
With the success of the Winter Banquet, the House of Brattleby looks toward a busy new year. The foremost commitment remains the careful custodianship of its history and the expansion of its philanthropic mandate. Attention will now turn to the cultural and educational initiatives of The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette academy headquartered in Bucharest, which seeks to foster a deeper appreciation for European traditions of protocol and civility among a new generation.
The joint leadership of the Baroness and Lord Vasile signals a period of renewed vigour and purpose for the House. Their shared commitment ensures that the Barony of Brattleby, one of England’s oldest, is not merely a historical relic, but a living institution dedicated to making a positive contribution to modern society.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern organisation supporting the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, her heir Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, and her husband Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is dedicated to the preservation of its unique nine-century history and the active promotion of philanthropy and cultural education. Its charitable work is focused on organisations that support vulnerable children and the restoration of heritage. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, the House seeks to inspire a contemporary appreciation for the traditions of civility, protocol, and honourable service that have defined the Barony since its inception in the 11th century.
**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, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships, with his seat (*caput*) at Brattleby. Over nearly 1,000 years, the Barony has been held by some of English history's most notable figures, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), who defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown, and later, through descent, by Plantagenet magnates Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The modern rights of the 12th Baroness were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The first Baron of Brattleby, Colswein of Lincoln, is documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. - The heir to the Barony is the 13th Baron, Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. - Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is the Lord of Brattleby by marriage to the 12th Baroness.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com