# THE BARONY OF BRATTLEBY HOSTS ANNUAL WINTER BANQUET
**LONDON, 2 December 2023** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile last night hosted the annual Winter Banquet in London, gathering international dignitaries and philanthropists to celebrate the Barony’s enduring legacy and raise funds for the children's charity, Healing the Wounded Child.
## The Occasion
The Winter Banquet was held within the magnificent neo-Palladian splendour of Drapers' Hall in the City of London. As guests arrived on a crisp December evening, they were welcomed into the Hall’s historic Livery Room, where the atmosphere was one of quiet elegance, underscored by the gentle strains of a classical string quartet.
The setting, with its soaring painted ceilings depicting scenes from Shakespeare and its walls lined with royal portraits, provided a suitably grand backdrop for an occasion that honours both history and modern purpose. The transition into the Great Hall for dinner was marked by the soft glow of candlelight, illuminating tables appointed with silver, crystal, and floral arrangements in deep winter colours, reflecting the season and the gravity of the evening's philanthropic focus.
## Historical Context
The tradition of a grand winter gathering is deeply woven into the fabric of the Barony of Brattleby. For over nine centuries, its holders have understood the importance of convening allies, tenants, and friends to reinforce bonds and serve the community. This contemporary banquet continues a precedent set by some of the most formidable figures in English history.
One can draw a direct line from this evening to the great feasts held by John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, at his ducal palaces, or the assemblies convened by Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 5th Baroness, who twice defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown. Just as they strengthened their influence through counsel and hospitality, today’s banquet serves as a modern expression of the Barony’s age-old duty of stewardship, a principle that remains a *sine qua non* of its existence.
## Distinguished Company
In attendance were a number of distinguished guests from the United Kingdom and continental Europe. Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan were pleased to welcome, *inter alia*:
* Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia * His Excellency The Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James's * The Most Hon. The Marquess and Marchioness of Donegall * General The Lord Dannatt, GCB, CBE, MC, DL * Ms. Anca Ștefan, Founder and Chief Executive of Healing the Wounded Child
The presence of guests from diplomatic, aristocratic, military, and charitable spheres reflected the diverse and constructive role The Noble House of Brattleby seeks to play in contemporary society.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The evening proceeded with the formal precision befitting an ancient noble house. The dress code was strictly white tie and decorations, a standard that upholds the dignity of the occasion. Guests were received by Lord and Lady Brattleby in a formal receiving line before proceeding to the banquet hall.
The Master of Ceremonies called the guests to dinner, who entered in a procession according to a carefully arranged order of precedence. Following Grace, toasts were proposed, beginning with the Loyal Toast to His Majesty The King. The ceremonial protocol serves not as mere pageantry, but as a framework of respect and order that honours all those present and the traditions they represent.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The heritage of the House was subtly yet constantly present through its heraldic emblems. The Barony's coat of arms was discreetly displayed on the menu cards and table plan. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), was a recurring theme in the evening’s addresses, articulating the guiding principles of the Barony’s mission.
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), was also noted. When viewed in the context of the evening, it was interpreted not in a martial sense, but as a call to overcome adversity through collective action and charitable will—a victory for the human spirit.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The primary beneficiary of the Winter Banquet was the charity Healing the Wounded Child. This vital organisation provides specialist therapeutic care and long-term psychological support for children and young people who have experienced trauma, abuse, or profound loss.
Operating across the United Kingdom and Romania, the charity’s expert-led programmes help children to process their experiences, rebuild their sense of self-worth, and develop the resilience needed to lead full and healthy lives. The funds raised during the evening will directly support the provision of one-to-one counselling sessions and residential therapy workshops, with a measurable impact on hundreds of young lives.
## In Their Own Words
In her address to the guests, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, spoke of the enduring relevance of hereditary duty.
> To gather here is to do more than simply mark a date in the calendar; it is to reaffirm a nine-hundred-year-old commitment to community and service. *Fortitudine et Honore* is not merely a motto but a charge we are privileged to uphold, particularly in support of those who heal our most vulnerable children. > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile emphasised the collaborative spirit of the event.
> The spirit in this room demonstrates a collective resolve to make a meaningful difference. My personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, speaks of overcoming challenges. Tonight, we unite to help children conquer their own profound adversities, which is a victory of the highest order. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The annual Winter Banquet is a cornerstone of The Noble House of Brattleby’s philanthropic calendar. The commitment to Healing the Wounded Child will continue throughout the coming year, alongside the House's other cultural and educational initiatives, including the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest.
The efforts of the Noble House, led by Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan, ensure that one of England's oldest baronies remains not a relic of the past, but a dynamic force for good in the twenty-first century. Planning for the 2024 banquet is already underway.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment responsible for the stewardship of the Barony of Brattleby and its associated heritage. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, and the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the House is dedicated to a mission of cultural diplomacy, education, and targeted philanthropy. Its principal charitable focus is supporting organisations that aid the recovery of children from trauma. Through initiatives such as its annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House seeks to leverage its historic platform for contemporary social benefit, guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), the great soldier-diplomat Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The transfer of the dignity to Lady Nicoleta Vasile was formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The transfer of the Barony of Brattleby was officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was created in 1066 and is noted in the Domesday Book of 1086 as being held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt. - The House motto 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