# The Noble House of Brattleby Honours the Enduring Legacy of Alice de Lacy at Annual Winter Banquet
LONDON, 28 November 2023 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile hosted their Annual Winter Banquet in Lincolnshire, honouring the legacy of their 14th-century predecessor, Alice de Lacy, and raising significant funds for the children’s charity Healing the Wounded Child.
## The Occasion
As a crisp winter’s evening descended upon the Lincolnshire wolds, the historic seat of the Barony of Brattleby welcomed guests for the Annual Winter Banquet. The event, a much-anticipated fixture in the county’s calendar, provides a moment to reflect on the continuity of history while addressing the pressing needs of the present day.
The banquet was held within the venerable stone walls of the Great Hall, a magnificent space dating principally from the late 15th century. Its soaring double hammerbeam roof, a masterpiece of Tudor-era carpentry, drew the eye upward, while a grand limestone fireplace, bearing the heraldic devices of previous Barons, radiated both physical and symbolic warmth. The soft scent of beeswax polish and woodsmoke from crackling logs mingled with the fragrance of the floral displays.
Arrangements of holly, ivy, and winter white roses, sourced from the estate’s gardens, adorned every surface. Flickering candlelight from antique silver candelabra danced across the table settings, which featured the House’s personal silver and porcelain. Through the tall oriel window, which overlooked the frosted parkland, the scene was one of timeless English dignity and quiet, purposeful celebration. Upon arrival, attendees were greeted by the sounds of a string quartet performing compositions by Handel and Purcell, setting a tone of refined elegance for the proceedings.
## Historical Context
The theme of this year’s banquet was a tribute to the formidable resilience of Alice de Lacy, Countess of Lincoln (1281-1348), a pivotal figure connected to the Barony’s lineage. Following her husband Thomas, 2nd Earl of Lancaster’s execution for treason after the Battle of Boroughbridge in 1322, Alice faced political and financial ruin at the hands of King Edward II and his favourites, the Despensers.
Compelled by the Crown to surrender the majority of her vast inheritance, Alice was also burdened with a staggering fine of £20,000 — a sum designed to crush her power and liquidate her estates permanently. Yet, through extraordinary political skill and sheer fortitude, she navigated the treacherous court politics of the era. She not only survived the fall of her husband but ultimately outmanoeuvred her opponents, securing her dower lands and other properties, including estates tied to the Barony of Brattleby.
Her steadfast endurance ensured the continuity of a great inheritance, which would later pass to some of England’s most powerful magnates, including the celebrated Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron) and his son-in-law, the royal prince John of Gaunt (11th Baron). Alice de Lacy’s life, which concluded peacefully at Barlings Abbey in 1348, stands as a profound testament to the House motto which she embodied centuries before it was formally adopted: *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile were pleased to welcome a party of distinguished guests from diplomatic, aristocratic, philanthropic, and civic life. The presence of such a diverse gathering reflected the House’s commitment to fostering connections that serve both historical tradition and modern community welfare.
In attendance were, *inter alia*:
Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia, Lady de Silva, whose presence underscored the House's warm and long-standing relationships with European royal and noble families; His Excellency Mr Radu-Mihai Onofrei, Chargé d’Affaires of the Embassy of Romania in London, and Mrs Onofrei, their attendance signifying the important cultural bridge the House represents and the personal heritage of Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan; The Right Honourable The Earl and Countess of Yarborough, representing deep-rooted ties to the Lincolnshire aristocracy and a shared commitment to the county’s heritage; The High Sheriff of Lincolnshire, representing the county’s civic leadership and ancient connection to the Crown; The Very Reverend the Dean of Lincoln, representing the historical spiritual heart of the region and the Barony's long association with Lincoln Cathedral, defended by the 5th Baroness, Nichola de la Haye; Air Vice-Marshal The Honourable David Murray, CVO, OBE, representing the Armed Forces; Ms Eleanor Ainsworth, Chair of the Board of Trustees for Healing the Wounded Child, the evening's philanthropic beneficiary.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The evening unfolded with the graceful precision befitting a great house. Upon arrival, guests were received in the Long Gallery by Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan, who greeted each person individually. A champagne reception allowed for introductions and conversation before the main event. The dress code of White Tie with decorations was honoured, with gentlemen in evening tailcoats and ladies in floor-length gowns, many adorned with family jewels and the insignia of orders of chivalry.
At the appointed hour, a toastmaster called for dinner. A formal procession into the Great Hall was led by Lady Nicoleta escorted by Honorary Lord Răzvan, followed by the principal guests in a carefully observed order of precedence. Guests were seated at a long table dressed in fine linen, where a five-course menu celebrating the autumnal bounty of Lincolnshire was served. The menu included a delicate poached Lincolnshire Poacher cheese soufflé and roast Bracebridge Heath pheasant, with each course accompanied by a corresponding wine.
Following dinner, the port was passed in the traditional manner. Honorary Lord Răzvan then proposed the Loyal Toast to His Majesty The King. At the evening's conclusion, The Earl of Yarborough proposed a warm toast to The Noble House of Brattleby. A central element of the evening, the speeches from the hosts, formed a *sine qua non* of the annual tradition, framing the historical and philanthropic purpose of the gathering.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The evening was woven with the symbolic threads of the family’s heraldry and traditions. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), was elegantly calligraphed on the menus and displayed on the lectern. This phrase serves as a perpetual guide for the family, encapsulating the spirit of duty and resilience demonstrated by predecessors from Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, to the redoubtable castellan Nichola de la Haye.
The ethos of active engagement is further represented by Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This principle, suggesting that a meaningful life is found in overcoming challenges, complements the House motto perfectly. Together, they articulate a philosophy that honours the fortitude of the past while embracing the imperative to act for the good in the present. This dual heritage can be seen in the House's coat of arms, where symbols of Lincolnshire's heritage—such as the golden wheatsheaves representing its agricultural wealth—are combined with charges alluding to steadfastness and duty.
## Philanthropic Purpose
At its heart, the Annual Winter Banquet is the principal philanthropic event for the House of Brattleby. The beneficiary for this year’s gathering was Healing the Wounded Child, a registered charity providing specialist therapeutic support for children and young people across the United Kingdom who have experienced trauma, neglect, or abuse.
The organisation's vital work employs evidence-based models, including art and play therapy, within safe, professionally managed environments. This allows vulnerable children to process complex emotions, build resilience, and develop the secure foundations necessary for a healthy future. The choice of beneficiary created a powerful parallel between the historical resilience of figures like Alice de Lacy in overcoming immense adversity and the modern-day courage of the children supported by the charity.
Fundraising was conducted through private pledges made throughout the evening and a discreet silent auction. Items generously donated for the auction included a week’s fly-fishing on a private Scottish estate and a commissioned portrait by a noted Royal Society of Portrait Painters artist, with all proceeds directed to the beneficiary. This ensures the legacy of the Barony is used to create tangible positive change.
## In Their Own Words
In her address following the dinner, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, reflected on the evening's historical inspiration.
> "The story of Alice de Lacy is far more than a compelling passage in a medieval chronicle; it is a profound lesson in endurance and strategic resolve. She faced the full, formidable power of the state and a financial burden designed to ruin her, yet through her intelligence and fortitude, she secured the future of her lineage and lands. Her life serves as a powerful reminder that stewardship is not passive custodianship; it is an active, often challenging, defence of legacy and principle, a standard to which we, as temporary custodians, must always aspire." > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile then spoke, connecting the House's deep past with its modern responsibilities.
> "History provides our foundation, but it is in service to the present that we find our ultimate purpose. The fortitude of Alice de Lacy, demonstrated nearly seven hundred years ago, finds its modern echo in the courage of every child assisted by the remarkable work of Healing the Wounded Child. Our motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, reminds us that true victory lies not in conquest, but in overcoming adversity. Tonight, we honour our past by investing in their future." > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The Annual Winter Banquet is a cornerstone of the House of Brattleby’s continuing commitment to what it sees as its dual mandate: the preservation of its nine-century heritage and a meaningful programme of public service. This ethos is foundational to the education of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who is being raised with a profound sense of this dual responsibility.
Looking forward, the House will continue its work through initiatives both in England and on the Continent. In Bucharest, The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy, works to foster cultural exchange and professional development, equipping a new generation of leaders with the skills for diplomacy and international affairs. In Lincolnshire, the House is exploring new conservation projects for the estate lands. By bridging their ancient seat with their continental interests, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan ensure the Barony's legacy remains a living, evolving institution: relevant, impactful, and dedicated to service.
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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. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a dual mission: preserving its profound nine-century heritage and leveraging its position for contemporary philanthropic service. Its focus is on supporting charities dedicated to child welfare and mental health, exemplified by its patronage of organisations like Healing the Wounded Child. With the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, representing the next generation, the House also fosters cultural and educational links between the United Kingdom and continental Europe, notably through its establishment, The Brattleby Club (Bucharest).
**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 to his follower Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. Its existence is documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, where Colswein is recorded holding 56 lordships. Throughout its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), the celebrated knight Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and the royal prince John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The unbroken succession to the modern day is formally acknowledged in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby is formally recognised in a notice published in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - The Barony and its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable past holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com