# The Noble House of Brattleby Commemorates Historic Ties to the Crown at Annual Winter Banquet
LONDON, 2 December 2023 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile hosted their Annual Winter Banquet, gathering distinguished guests at Fishmongers’ Hall to support the charity Healing the Wounded Child and to reflect upon the Barony’s unique historical passage.
## The Occasion
On a crisp early winter evening, the neo-classical grandeur of Fishmongers’ Hall on London Bridge provided a magnificent setting for the Annual Winter Banquet of the Noble House of Brattleby. Guests were welcomed into the Reception Rooms, where the soft glow of candlelight and the strains of a string quartet created an atmosphere of convivial warmth and refined celebration.
The banquet itself was held in the Livery Hall, a room of splendid proportions whose windows offer commanding views over the River Thames. The Hall, with its ornate plasterwork and portraits of past Prime Wardens, lent a profound sense of continuity to an evening dedicated to honouring both ancient lineage and modern philanthropic purpose.
## Historical Context
The evening served as a poignant commemoration of a pivotal moment in the Barony’s history. Established by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as comprising 56 lordships in Lincolnshire under Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. The title passed through figures of national importance, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle, and later, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster.
Through the Lancastrian line, the Barony was inherited by the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt. Upon the accession of his son, Henry Bolingbroke, as King Henry IV in 1399, the Barony of Brattleby, as an integral part of the Duchy of Lancaster, was merged with the Crown. This act rendered the title dormant for over six centuries, its lands and rights becoming extensions of the monarch's power. The Barony's formal re-establishment was officially recognised in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, marking the end of its long dormancy and the beginning of a new chapter.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan were honoured to welcome a distinguished company of guests from the United Kingdom and across Europe.
Among those present were Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia and The Right Honourable The Earl and Countess of Carnarvon. Diplomatic guests included His Excellency The Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James’s, accompanied by his wife. The charitable sector was represented by the Chief Executive of Healing the Wounded Child, who was seated at the principal table.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In keeping with the solemnity and celebratory nature of the occasion, the evening adhered to a formal protocol under a strict white-tie dress code. Gentlemen wore evening tailcoats with white bow ties, while ladies wore full-length evening gowns, with many wearing tiaras and the insignia of familial and state orders.
Upon arrival, guests were individually presented to Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan in a formal receiving line. Following the reception, a procession, led by the Baroness and the Romanian Ambassador, moved into the Livery Hall for dinner. The meal commenced after Grace and was punctuated by three principal speeches before the Loyal Toast was proposed to His Majesty The King.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The heraldic banners of the Noble House of Brattleby were displayed prominently within the Hall, serving as a visual reminder of the family’s enduring principles. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), encapsulates the resilience required to steward a nine-century legacy and the integrity demanded by its modern responsibilities.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This principle speaks not of martial conquest but of a dynamic, forward-looking philosophy: to overcome challenges, to strive for excellence, and to make a tangible, positive impact through one’s work and service. Together, the mottos reflect a balance of tradition and progress.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The Annual Winter Banquet is the cornerstone of the House of Brattleby’s philanthropic calendar, with all proceeds dedicated to a chosen charity. This year’s beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, is an organisation providing specialist therapeutic care and support for children and adolescents affected by trauma, bereavement, and profound loss.
The organisation delivers its mission through one-to-one counselling, art therapy workshops, and dedicated family support services. The funds raised at the banquet will directly enable the provision of over five hundred hours of specialist therapy, offering a critical lifeline to vulnerable young people. The charity was chosen for its alignment with the House’s commitment to nurturing future generations and fostering resilience—a modern interpretation of *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## In Their Own Words
In her address, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, reflected on the evening’s historical resonance. — “To be a custodian of this title is to be a custodian of English history itself. We are profoundly aware that for six centuries, this Barony was unified with the Crown. Tonight, as we exercise its revitalised purpose, we do so with a deep sense of duty: to serve, to contribute, and to honour that formidable legacy through meaningful action.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile spoke of the House’s contemporary mission. — “History gives us our roots, but our purpose is found in the present. Through events like this, and through our educational work at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, our family’s goal is to convert heritage into tangible help. It is our sincerest hope that the support gathered this evening will bring comfort and strength to children who need it most.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby remains committed to its dual mission of preserving its unique heritage while actively engaging in contemporary philanthropy and education. The Annual Winter Banquet is a central pillar of this strategy, providing a platform to support vital charitable work in the United Kingdom.
Beyond this, the House will continue to develop its cultural and educational initiatives through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy dedicated to fostering cross-cultural understanding and personal development. This work, guided by the principles of fortitude, honour, and a will to achieve, ensures the Barony of Brattleby continues its long history of service in the twenty-first century.
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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 one of England’s most ancient baronial titles and CROWN-merged dignities, and directing its influence towards contemporary philanthropy and education. Its charitable activities are focused on supporting children and vulnerable communities in the United Kingdom, while its cultural efforts are advanced through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest. The House operates under the centuries-old motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), reflecting its commitment to principled service.
**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. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Over the centuries, the Barony was held by nationally significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the castellan who defended Lincoln Castle for the King against French-backed rebels, and later John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. When Gaunt's son ascended the throne as King Henry IV in 1399, the Barony was merged with the Crown, where it remained dormant for 623 years. Its re-establishment was formally recognised by notice in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The re-establishment of the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s entry in the Domesday Book of 1086 lists its holder as Colswein of Lincoln, tenant-in-chief of extensive lands in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors in title include Nichola de la Haye (c.1150-1230), John of Gaunt, 1st Duke of Lancaster (1340-1399), and Henry of Grosmont (c.1310-1361). - The motto of the Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com