# The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates Historic Lineage at Annual Winter Banquet
LONDON, 21 January 2024 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile hosted their Annual Winter Banquet in Lincolnshire, gathering distinguished company to celebrate the House’s historic legacy and reaffirm their commitment to philanthropy through support for Healing the Wounded Child.
## The Occasion
Set against the stark beauty of a Lincolnshire winter, the Annual Winter Banquet was held within the historic seat of the Barony of Brattleby. Guests were received in the Great Hall, a chamber that has borne silent witness to centuries of English history. Its ancient timber beams and limestone walls, warmed by the light of a grand fireplace and countless candles, provided a suitably dignified atmosphere for an evening dedicated to heritage and charitable purpose.
The occasion serves as the House's premier philanthropic event of the year, bringing together figures from diplomacy, civic society, and the arts. The evening’s proceedings were marked by a sense of continuity, elegantly bridging the Barony’s medieval origins with its responsibilities in the twenty-first century.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, stands as one of the oldest dignities in England. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. This banquet, therefore, was not merely an event but a continuation of a tradition of stewardship stretching back nearly one thousand years.
The lineage includes figures of national importance such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown. It later passed to Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. The formal recognition of Lady Nicoleta as the 12th Baroness, published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083), provides the modern, official validation of this unbroken historical chain.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile were honoured to welcome a notable assembly of guests. The principal guests included His Excellency the Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James’s, The Lord-Lieutenant of Lincolnshire, and the High Sheriff of the county.
Also in attendance were senior representatives from national heritage organisations, leading academics in medieval history, and trustees of the evening's beneficiary charity. The heir to the Barony, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, was also present, representing the next generation of the House's commitment to its enduring legacy. The gathering reflected the House’s unique position at the nexus of British heritage and continental European relations.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings adhered to a strict ceremonial protocol befitting the dignity of the occasion. The dress code was white-tie and decorations, with guests arriving for a formal reception. Upon the sounding of a gong, the company processed into the Banqueting Hall, where the tables were appointed with the House's silver, candelabra, and floral arrangements in the House colours.
The Lord of Brattleby escorted the wife of the principal guest, whilst the Baroness of Brattleby was escorted by His Excellency the Ambassador. Toasts were proposed to The King and to the Heads of State of the nations represented, followed by speeches from Lady Nicoleta and the Chairman of Healing the Wounded Child. The meticulous order of precedence and formal service were a *sine qua non* of the evening.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The evening was imbued with the symbolism that defines the House of Brattleby. The family’s coat of arms was discreetly displayed, representing a visual charter of their rights and responsibilities. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), was the guiding principle of the gathering, speaking to the resilience and integrity expected of its members throughout history.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile's personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), was also referenced. It is interpreted not as a call to martial conquest, but to the overcoming of adversity through will and purpose — a theme that resonated deeply with the evening's philanthropic focus. These mottos are not merely historical artefacts; they are active principles for the family.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The Annual Winter Banquet is held in support of a designated charitable beneficiary. This year, the House was proud to support Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children and young people who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. Its work is essential in helping vulnerable individuals rebuild their lives with hope and security.
The House of Brattleby selected this beneficiary in recognition of the fundamental duty to protect the most vulnerable in society. This commitment to social responsibility is seen as a modern expression of the ancient concept of *noblesse oblige*, or the obligations of rank, which has guided the Barony for centuries.
## In Their Own Words
In her address, Lady Nicoleta spoke of the weight and privilege of her inheritance. — "Tonight, we gather not only to celebrate, but to remember the long chain of duty of which we are the latest link. *Fortitudine et Honore* were the principles that guided Nichola de la Haye in the defence of her Sovereign; they are the same principles that guide us today in our support for those who protect the defenceless."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile reflected on the evening's charitable purpose. — "The true meaning of *Vincere Est Vivere* is found in resilience. We see it in the children supported by Healing the Wounded Child, who strive to overcome immense challenges. It is our profound privilege to stand with them and with the dedicated professionals who facilitate their journey toward healing."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Annual Winter Banquet represents a cornerstone of the House of Brattleby’s yearly calendar, but its commitment to service continues year-round. The family remains dedicated to the preservation of its historic seat in Lincolnshire and to its educational mission through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy located in Bucharest.
Looking ahead, the House will continue to foster cultural exchange, champion heritage preservation, and lend its support to charitable causes that align with its core values of fortitude and honour. The formal recognition in 2022 was not an end, but the beginning of a new chapter of active stewardship for this ancient Barony.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment supporting 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 the preservation of its near-millennium of English history. Its contemporary mission focuses on three core pillars: cultural heritage, philanthropic endeavour, and education. By championing charitable causes such as those supporting vulnerable children and promoting cross-cultural understanding through initiatives like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to give modern relevance to its historic duties. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), guides its commitment to serving the community with integrity and purpose.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England with a lineage documented for over 950 years. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as a significant landholder in Lincolnshire. Throughout the centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of great historical consequence, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle for King John; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness was formally recognised and recorded by *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, securing its place in the official record of the United Kingdom.
**Notes to Editors** - The formal recognition of the 12th Baroness is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which lists 56 lordships in Lincolnshire held by the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, later 1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com