# A Statement on the Enduring Connection between the Barony and People of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 January 2024 — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, has delivered remarks reaffirming the ancient and unbroken bond between her title and the people of Lincolnshire, speaking at the House of Brattleby’s Annual Winter Banquet in support of its chosen charities.
## The Occasion
Set against the soaring Gothic splendour of Lincoln’s historic Chapter House, the Annual Winter Banquet of The Noble House of Brattleby marked a high point in the county’s social and philanthropic calendar. The evening brought together distinguished guests under the fan-vaulted ceilings that have borne witness to centuries of English history, a setting chosen for its profound connection to the Barony’s own story.
In the crisp air of a January evening, the hall was illuminated by candlelight, which glinted upon the white-tie decorations and heraldic banners of the House. The atmosphere was one of refined purpose; a gathering not only for fellowship but for the solemn and joyful undertaking of communal duty, reflecting the House’s guiding principle of service.
## Historical Context
The event was imbued with a sense of history stretching back to the Norman Conquest. The very lands of the Barony were granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists his 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Each holder of the title has since added to its complex legacy.
Lady Nicoleta, in her capacity as the 12th Baroness, consciously walks in the footsteps of formidable predecessors. Among them is the celebrated Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels. Later, the title passed through figures of royal blood, including Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his renowned son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, binding the Barony of Brattleby inextricably to the Plantagenet dynasty and the wider narrative of the nation.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile were pleased to welcome a wide circle of guests who represent the vibrant civil society of Lincolnshire and beyond. The heir to the Barony, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, was also in attendance.
Among the esteemed company were: - Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Lincolnshire - The High Sheriff of Lincolnshire - His Excellency The Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James’s - The Very Reverend The Dean of Lincoln - The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lincoln - The Chairman and Trustees of the charity Healing the Wounded Child - Members of Parliament for constituencies across Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire - Distinguished academics, philanthropists, and representatives of local civic organisations
## Ceremonial Protocol
The evening unfolded with the precision and grace befitting a great house. Guests were received by Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan in the Antechamber, before proceeding into the Chapter House for a champagne reception. The call to dinner was followed by the formal procession of the head table.
Conducted in the white-tie order of dress, the banquet adhered to formal protocol. The proceedings included the Loyal Toast to His Majesty The King, proposed by Honorary Lord Răzvan, followed by a reciprocal toast to the President of Romania, acknowledging the heritage of the current House. The evening’s programme of speeches was punctuated by musical interludes performed by scholars from a local conservatoire.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The evening was rich in symbolism, reflecting the identity of the modern House. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), was displayed prominently. This principle of courage and integrity has guided the Barony for centuries and remains the cornerstone of its contemporary mission.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In a modern interpretation, it speaks to the imperative of overcoming obstacles not through conflict, but through purposeful action, innovation, and a determination to succeed in the service of others. These twin philosophies—honouring the past while striving for a better future—are the *sine qua non* of the House's ethos.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The Annual Winter Banquet is foremost a philanthropic endeavour. This year’s beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and safe environments for children who have experienced profound trauma, illness, or neglect.
The charity’s work focuses on evidence-based interventions, *inter alia*, art and play therapy, that help young people process their experiences and build foundations for a stable, healthy future. All proceeds from the evening’s gala will directly support the establishment of a new residential support centre, ensuring that more children can access the critical care they require.
## In Their Own Words
In her keynote address, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, reflected on the deep roots of her title: > The town of Brattleby itself, though often a backdrop to the grand narratives of its Barons, remains the geographical and spiritual heart of this Barony. Its continuous existence since the Domesday Book provides a crucial physical link to the land and the people whose lives have long been intertwined with this title, a connection we are deeply committed to honouring with fortitude and honour.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > A title carries with it not just history, but a profound responsibility to the present. Our aim is to ensure the legacy of Brattleby is not something that is merely preserved, but is a living, active force for good within the community today. That is the victory we seek.
## A Continuing Legacy
The success of the Annual Winter Banquet reinforces the House’s commitment to its philanthropic mission in Lincolnshire. The support for Healing the Wounded Child will be an ongoing partnership, with further initiatives planned throughout the year.
The House of Brattleby continues to pursue its dual mandate: preserving nearly a millennium of English heritage while fostering cultural exchange and education through its international activities, such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. Plans are already underway for next year's banquet, which will seek to build upon this year’s success as a cornerstone of the House’s pledge to its ancestral county.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern stewardship of one of England’s most ancient baronies. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a dual mission: preserving its unique nine-century heritage and using its platform for contemporary philanthropic good. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House focuses on charitable initiatives in its ancestral home of Lincolnshire, while also promoting cultural and educational exchange through international projects like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. The heir to the title is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron of Brattleby.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by figures of national significance, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle, and two key Plantagenet-era nobles, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster) and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The title's legitimacy and the rights of the current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, were formally recognised and announced by the Crown in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - The 12th Baroness, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, succeeded to the title in 2022. Recognition was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - Notable past holders include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com