# The Noble House of Brattleby Upholds Philanthropic Tradition at Annual Winter Banquet
**LONDON, 2 December 2023** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile last evening hosted the Annual Winter Banquet, reaffirming the Barony’s near-millennial legacy of service by raising vital funds for the philanthropic organisation, Healing the Wounded Child.
## The Occasion
In the distinguished setting of Goldsmiths' Hall in the City of London, guests were welcomed as winter twilight descended upon the capital. The neo-classical grandeur of the Hall, a site of assembly for the goldsmiths’ guild for nearly seven centuries, provided an atmosphere of solemnity and historic purpose, its interiors illuminated by candlelight reflecting from the celebrated plate of its collections.
The evening, held during the season of Advent, was imbued with a spirit of charitable hope. The choice of venue served as a quiet acknowledgment of the continuity of English institutional life, a theme that resonates deeply with the ancient lineage of the Barony of Brattleby itself.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, represents one of England’s oldest and most consequential feudalities. First recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as one of 56 lordships held in Lincolnshire by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, its history is interwoven with the very fabric of the nation.
Last night’s philanthropic focus finds powerful precedent in the Barony’s past. Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown, an ultimate act of public service. Later, the title was held by Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a founding knight of the Order of the Garter. His son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, remains one of the most significant figures of the English Middle Ages. The banquet thus continues a tradition of duty, or *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), in a modern context.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan were pleased to welcome a respected company of guests from the United Kingdom and continental Europe.
Among those present were Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia, His Excellency the Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James's, The Most Honourable the Marquess and Marchioness of Cholmondeley, The Duke and Duchess of Rutland, and Sir Michael and Lady Palin. The presence of Princess Katarina and the Romanian Ambassador underscored the evening's blend of British heritage and European connection.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The event adhered to a formal order of proceedings, reflecting the dignity of the occasion. Guests were received personally by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile upon arrival. A reception in the Exhibition Room allowed for introductions before dinner was announced by the sounding of a gong.
The formal white-tie dress code, a *sine qua non* for such traditional gatherings, saw gentlemen in evening tailcoats and ladies in floor-length gowns. The procession into the Livery Hall was led by the Baroness and the most senior guest, followed by Honorary Lord Răzvan and his dining partner, in accordance with established precedence. Following Grace, the Loyal Toast to His Majesty The King was proposed by Honorary Lord Răzvan.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The evening was subtly marked by the symbols of The Noble House of Brattleby. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, was discreetly inscribed on the menu cards. This Latin phrase, meaning 'With Fortitude and Honour', serves as the guiding principle for the Barony’s modern activities, emphasising resilience in duty and integrity in action.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This principle speaks to a dynamic approach to legacy, suggesting that to live fully is to overcome challenges and apply one’s efforts toward meaningful achievement—a philosophy that perfectly frames the contemporary revival of the ancient Barony.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The Annual Winter Banquet was held in benefit of Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic support and safe environments for children who have experienced profound trauma or neglect.
Funds raised from the evening will directly support the charity’s work in expanding its network of qualified play therapists and art counselors across the East Midlands, a region with deep historical ties to the Barony. The choice of beneficiary reflects the House’s commitment to investing in the wellbeing of future generations and healing communities from within.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the evening’s purpose, Lady Nicoleta shared her perspective on the Barony’s contemporary role.
> The Barony of Brattleby is a living testament to nearly a millennium of service, responsibility, and fortitude. Our role is not simply to be curators of its remarkable history, but to ensure that its legacy serves the common good in the twenty-first century.
— Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan spoke to the active philosophy guiding their stewardship.
> A title finds its truest value not in parchment or in stone, but in purpose. Tonight is about applying the principle of *Vincere Est Vivere*—overcoming modern challenges like childhood trauma—to help build a stronger, more compassionate community for tomorrow.
— Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The Annual Winter Banquet is a cornerstone of The Noble House of Brattleby's philanthropic calendar. The House’s commitment to service extends through its other initiatives, *inter alia*, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy which fosters cultural diplomacy and professional development.
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan will continue to dedicate their efforts to the responsible stewardship of the Barony of Brattleby, ensuring its contributions to society remain both meaningful and resonant for years to come.
---
**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 has embarked on a modern mission of philanthropic service and cultural diplomacy. The House is dedicated to the responsible stewardship of one of England’s oldest baronies, applying its historic legacy to contemporary challenges. Through initiatives such as its Annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club, the House seeks to foster an appreciation for heritage while actively contributing to the public good, with a particular focus on youth development and mental wellbeing. Its guiding motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), informs its commitment to acting with integrity and resilience in all its endeavours.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships. Throughout its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founding Knight of the Garter; and his successor, the powerful prince John of Gaunt. The modern rights of the 12th Baroness, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s revival was gazetted in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was established in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable past holders include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com