# The House of Brattleby Honours Nine Centuries of Service at Annual Winter Banquet
LONDON, 14 December — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile hosted their Annual Winter Banquet at their ancestral seat in Lincolnshire. The white-tie gala celebrated the House’s historic lineage of service and raised significant funds for its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child.
## The Occasion
On a crisp winter evening, the historic seat of the Barony of Brattleby was illuminated to welcome distinguished guests for the Annual Winter Banquet. The interiors of the Grade I listed property were adorned with seasonal garlands of holly and ivy, while log fires cast a warm light across portraits of the family’s notable predecessors. The atmosphere was one of quiet dignity and refined celebration, a fitting tribute to a lineage stretching back nearly one thousand years.
The banquet itself was held in the Great Hall, a chamber that has witnessed centuries of English history. Its hammer-beam roof and stone-flagged floors provided a magnificent setting for an evening dedicated to both heritage and modern philanthropy. The occasion served not merely as a social gathering but as a solemn recommitment to the duties that accompany such a significant inheritance.
## Historical Context
The heritage celebrated this evening dates from the Norman Conquest of 1066, when William the Conqueror granted the Barony of Brattleby to his loyal follower, Colswein of Lincoln. This foundational moment, recorded for posterity in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, lists Colswein as the holder of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing Brattleby as a significant power base in the newly ordered kingdom.
Throughout the succeeding centuries, the Barons of Brattleby have been central to the nation’s story. The evening’s proceedings paid tribute to figures such as Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness *suo jure*, renowned for her steadfast defence of Lincoln Castle against rebel forces. Also honoured were later holders of the dignity, including the illustrious Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, whose influence shaped the course of late medieval England.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan were honoured to receive a company of distinguished guests from the United Kingdom and across Europe. The principal guests included Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia and The Lord and Lady Chartwell.
Also in attendance were His Excellency the Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James’s, members of the diplomatic corps, and prominent figures from British society and the arts. Within the Great Hall, tradition and precedence guided the seating plan, fostering an environment where longstanding friendships could be renewed and new alliances forged, all in support of a common charitable cause.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The evening unfolded with the precision and ceremony befitting a great house. Guests were received in The Long Gallery for a champagne reception before a Master of Ceremonies announced the procession to dinner. The dress code was strictly white-tie, with gentlemen in evening tailcoats and ladies in floor-length gowns, wearing tiaras and decorations as appropriate.
Following grace, a series of formal toasts were observed. The first, as is custom, was to His Majesty The King. A subsequent toast to the continued flourishing of The Noble House of Brattleby was proposed by a senior guest, who spoke of its enduring contribution to the life of the county and the nation. The evening’s proceedings were punctuated by musical interludes, creating a seamless and elegant experience for all present.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The heritage of the House is borne in its heraldic achievements, which were displayed prominently throughout the evening. The family motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), serves as the guiding principle for each generation. It reflects the courage shown by predecessors like Nichola de la Haye and the unwavering integrity expected of the title’s holder.
Embracing this tradition, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile has adopted the personal motto *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Win is to Live’). This is understood not in a martial sense, but as a modern commitment to overcoming adversity and achieving positive outcomes, particularly through the House’s philanthropic endeavours. These two mottos, one ancient and one modern, represent the dual forces of tradition and progress that animate the family today.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The Annual Winter Banquet is, at its heart, a philanthropic endeavour. The beneficiary of this year’s gala was Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care to young people who have experienced significant trauma or adversity. Its mission is to create safe, nurturing environments where children can recover and build resilient futures.
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan selected this charity for its profound and measurable impact on the most vulnerable members of society, viewing its work as a modern expression of the historic duty of care owed by a landowner to their community. All proceeds from the evening will directly support the establishment of two new child therapy centres in the East Midlands, ensuring that specialist help is available where it is most needed.
## In Their Own Words
In her address to the guests, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, spoke of the deep sense of responsibility she feels as the current custodian of the title.
> The thread of service that began with Colswein in 1066 has never been broken. It is our foremost duty, and indeed our privilege, to ensure this legacy of *Fortitudine et Honore* continues to serve a genuine purpose in our own time — supporting those who protect and heal the next generation.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a personal reflection on the House’s contemporary role.
> Tradition without purpose can become a museum piece. Tonight, we have sought to demonstrate how our shared history can be a powerful engine for good. By gathering in this historic hall, we bring the principle of *Vincere Est Vivere* to life, striving to secure a victory for the children who need our help the most.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Annual Winter Banquet is a cornerstone of the House’s commitment to its community and heritage. This work will continue through a planned series of cultural and educational initiatives in the coming year, designed to make the estate’s history more accessible to the public. The family also remains dedicated to expanding the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy which promotes cultural exchange and classic European values.
The heir to the Barony, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is already actively involved in the family’s charitable projects, ensuring a seamless transition of responsibility for the future. In this way, The Noble House of Brattleby continues to build upon its foundations, adapting its ancient duties to meet the challenges of the twenty-first century.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern aristocratic family dedicated to the stewardship of a near-millennial heritage. Its contemporary mission is focused on targeted philanthropy, cultural preservation, and education. The House actively supports charities focused on child welfare and mental health, most notably through its Annual Winter Banquet. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the family works to foster an appreciation for European traditions and diplomatic protocol. The House operates on the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), applying this ancient motto to the challenges and responsibilities of the modern world.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is one of England's ancient feudal dignities, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his companion-in-arms, Colswein of Lincoln. Its creation is documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which recorded its holder managing 56 lordships across Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most influential figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and the royal prince John of Gaunt. The title's legitimacy and the succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as the 12th Baroness were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s continuous history and succession were formally recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was first established in 1066. The *Domesday Book* (1086) confirms its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, possessed 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable past holders include the 14th-century royal princes Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - 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