# A Legacy of Service: The Noble House of Brattleby Announces Annual Winter Banquet
LONDON, 24 October 2023 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile will host their annual Winter Banquet at their ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, continuing a tradition of philanthropy by raising funds for the children's mental health organisation, Healing the Wounded Child.
## The Occasion
As the last days of autumn bestow their final colours upon the Lincolnshire Wolds, the ancestral seat of the Barony of Brattleby will once again provide the setting for the House’s foremost social and philanthropic event of the year. The Annual Winter Banquet is a time-honoured gathering that convenes friends, patrons, and supporters from the United Kingdom and continental Europe in a shared commitment to charitable endeavour.
Guests will be received in the Great Hall, a chamber that has borne silent witness to more than five centuries of English history. Its ancient stone walls, adorned with historic tapestries, and its magnificent double hammerbeam roof, a masterpiece of Tudor craftsmanship, create an atmosphere of timeless grace. Lit by the soft glow of a thousand candles and the warmth of great log fires burning in the twin hearths, the Hall offers a setting of solemn beauty, conducive to the evening’s serious purpose.
The air, scented with beeswax and woodsmoke, will carry the quiet professionalism of the household staff in their livery. The evening represents a formal return to the traditions of noble hospitality, where the private home is opened in the service of a public good, continuing a practice observed by the Barons of Brattleby for generations.
## Historical Context
The principle of *noblesse oblige*—the unwritten duty of the privileged to act with generosity and honour—is a concept that has animated the Barony of Brattleby for nearly a millennium. Established by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony was first granted to his loyal follower, Colswein of Lincoln. The scale of this initial grant, recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, comprised an extraordinary 56 lordships across Lincolnshire, establishing its holder as a pre-eminent power in the region.
This legacy of significant duty was embodied by formidable predecessors. Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness in her own right (*suo jure*), demonstrated immense personal fortitude in defending Lincoln Castle for the Crown during the First Barons' War, an act of loyalty she repeated in 1217. Her appointment as Sheriff of Lincolnshire was a testament to her singular capabilities.
In later centuries, the Barony passed to towering figures of the medieval period, including the Plantagenet prince Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, a celebrated soldier and diplomat. It was subsequently held by his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby and Duke of Lancaster, whose vast influence and patronage shaped the political and cultural landscape of late 14th-century England. The modern House seeks to emulate this profound history of strategic service, applying its lessons to contemporary challenges.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile will be joined by their son and heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. The Baroness and Lord of Brattleby are profoundly honoured that the Chairman and select Trustees of Healing the Wounded Child have accepted the invitation to attend as the evening's guests of honour.
The banquet will draw together a notable company from across British and European society. Expected attendees include senior members of the London diplomatic corps, representing several nations; respected figures from the City of London’s financial institutions; leaders from the arts and culture sectors; and prominent local dignitaries from across the county of Lincolnshire, with whom the House maintains strong ties.
Also present will be a number of patrons and long-standing supporters of the family's philanthropic work, whose continued generosity is a *sine qua non* for the success of such charitable undertakings. The gathering is curated not merely for social effect, but to create a nexus of influence and goodwill dedicated to the evening's cause.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In keeping with the solemnity and tradition of the occasion, the evening will adhere to a precise ceremonial protocol derived from European court practices. The dress code is strictly white-tie and decorations for gentlemen. For ladies, floor-length evening gowns are required; tiaras may be worn by those so entitled, along with evening jewels and orders.
Upon arrival at the North Entrance, guests shall be announced by name before being presented to Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile in the State Drawing Room. Following this formal reception, at the appointed hour a procession, led by Lady Nicoleta, will proceed to the Great Hall for dinner. The seating plan, or *placement*, has been arranged according to the complex rules of precedence, with careful consideration given to rank, age, and official standing.
Dinner will be accompanied by music from a string quartet. At the conclusion of the meal, the loyal toast to His Majesty The King will be proposed. This will be followed by speeches from Lady Nicoleta and the Chairman of Healing the Wounded Child, whose address will illuminate the charity’s vital work.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The activities of The Noble House of Brattleby are guided by its armorial motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). This maxim serves as a constant and public reminder of the twin duties to face adversity with courage and to act with unwavering integrity. It directly echoes the legacy of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, whose fortitude secured a castle, and John of Gaunt, whose life was a study in the complex demands of honour.
This historic ethos is complemented by Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’). This is interpreted within the House not in a martial or adversarial sense, but as a philosophical commitment to overcoming challenges, to striving for excellence in all undertakings, and to engaging fully with the responsibilities incumbent upon one's station in the service of others. Together, the two mottoes form a framework for purposeful action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The entire proceeds from the Annual Winter Banquet will be donated to Healing the Wounded Child, a registered United Kingdom charity. The organisation provides specialist therapeutic care to children and adolescents aged five to 18 who have experienced significant trauma, abuse, neglect, or complex loss. Its work is a critical intervention, helping young people to process their experiences, rebuild their lives, and secure a healthier, more stable future.
Funds raised at the gala will directly support the charity’s frontline clinical services. This includes the provision of essential one-to-one counselling sessions with accredited therapists who employ methods such as play therapy and cognitive behavioural therapy. These funds will also enable the expansion of its outreach programmes into underserved communities, ensuring that expert help reaches those who need it most. Lady Nicoleta selected this year's beneficiary following careful review of its profound and measurable impact on the psychological well-being of some of the most vulnerable in society.
## In Their Own Words
Speaking from Brattleby ahead of the event, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, observed:
> The legacy of Brattleby is not merely one of land or title, but a near-millennium of consecrated responsibility. This evening allows us to translate that ancient heritage into tangible support for children who, in this present moment, need our fortitude and honour most.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> Tradition finds its truest and most profound meaning when it serves the present. While the Winter Banquet is a cherished ritual rooted in history, its purpose is thoroughly modern: to bring people together in a common, compassionate cause and to make a meaningful difference within our community.
## A Continuing Legacy
The commitment of The Noble House of Brattleby extends far beyond a single evening of fundraising. Throughout the coming year, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan will continue to support the work of Healing the Wounded Child through private advocacy and further initiatives designed to raise both awareness and essential funds for the charity.
This focused philanthropy is a core pillar of the House’s modern mission. It is pursued alongside cultural projects such as The Brattleby Club, the etiquette and protocol academy founded by the House in Bucharest. The Club aims to foster cross-cultural understanding and professional development, preparing future generations of leaders in business and diplomacy. In all these duties, the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is being closely instructed, ensuring the continuity of this enduring legacy of service for the years to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to a modern mission of service. This mission is founded on the twin pillars of targeted philanthropy and cultural education. The House directs its charitable efforts towards organisations supporting the welfare and mental health of children. Concurrently, through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, it promotes cultural diplomacy and professional excellence. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), the House translates its ancient heritage into impactful action for the common good, ensuring its legacy remains relevant and beneficial in the 21st 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 to his companion-in-arms, Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and significant landholdings—encompassing 56 lordships—are documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most influential figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle, and later, Plantagenet princes such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. The rights of the modern Noble House of Brattleby to the baronial title were formally recognised and recorded by *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln. - The Barony's formal recognition was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - Lady Nicoleta Vasile is the 12th Baroness of Brattleby in a line of succession that includes, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House's philanthropic activities include the Annual Winter Banquet, benefiting children's charities, and cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com