# The Inaugural Winter Banquet of The Noble House of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Lord and Lady of Brattleby recently hosted the inaugural Winter Banquet at their ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, reviving a centuries-old tradition of hospitality and launching a new philanthropic commitment in support of the nation’s most vulnerable children.
## The Occasion
Set against the stark beauty of the Lincolnshire Fens in early winter, the Banquet was held within the historic walls of the baronial seat. As dusk settled over the parkland, guests were welcomed into the Great Hall, where log fires and the soft light of candelabra created an atmosphere of dignified warmth. The white-tie gathering marked the formal re-establishment of a tradition of assembly that has been a feature of the Barony for much of its history, signaling a new season of social and charitable purpose for the ancient house.
The evening was a carefully orchestrated affair, designed to honour the past whilst firmly looking toward the future. The musical programme, featuring classical arrangements for string quartet, provided a graceful counterpoint to the formal proceedings, ensuring the occasion was one of measured celebration and reflection.
## Historical Context
The tradition of hosting significant gatherings at Brattleby is as old as the Barony itself, which was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, whose 56 lordships were recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, established a precedent of provincial authority and hospitality. This legacy was amplified by formidable successors, *inter alia*, the 5th Baroness, Nichola de la Haye, who famously held Lincoln Castle for the Crown during a time of national crisis.
Later, under the stewardship of the 10th Baron, Henry of Grosmont, and the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, the Barony was associated with the highest levels of the Plantagenet court. The Winter Banquet, therefore, is not a new invention but the revival of a duty; a continuation of the House’s nine-century role as a convenor of people for the common good, undertaken *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
## Distinguished Company
In keeping with the private nature of the occasion, the full guest list remains undisclosed. The Lord and Lady of Brattleby were pleased to welcome a distinguished company of guests drawn from the civic and cultural life of Lincolnshire, members of the diplomatic corps, and leading figures from the United Kingdom's business and charitable sectors.
Also in attendance were senior members of The Brattleby Club, the etiquette academy founded by the family in Bucharest, who had travelled to England for the event. The gathering represented a discreet but purposeful assembly of individuals committed to the preservation of heritage and the support of modern philanthropic endeavours.
## Ceremonial Protocol
Adhering to a protocol of timeless elegance, the evening followed a traditional order of proceedings. The dress code was strictly white-tie and decorations, allowing for the display of national and family orders of chivalry. Upon arrival, guests were formally announced and received by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile.
A champagne reception preceded the call to dinner, after which guests were seated according to a detailed plan of precedence. The banquet itself consisted of a five-course menu celebrating seasonal British produce. Following the Loyal Toast, formal addresses were delivered by Honorary Lord Răzvan and a representative from the evening’s charitable beneficiary.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The evening was imbued with the guiding principles of the House. The baronial motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), was a recurring theme, speaking to the resilience and integrity with which the family approaches its historic responsibilities. This ancient creed is the *sine qua non* of the House’s modern mission.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This principle, representing the dynamic pursuit of purpose and the overcoming of challenges, energises the family's contemporary philanthropic and educational initiatives, providing a forward-looking impetus to their work.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The inaugural Winter Banquet was held in aid of Healing the Wounded Child. This registered charity was chosen for its vital work in providing specialist therapeutic support to children and young people across the United Kingdom who have experienced trauma, bereavement, or profound loss. Its mission is to help restore a sense of safety and hope, enabling them to build resilient futures.
The organisation provides one-to-one counselling, art and play therapy, and group support programmes. The funds raised from the Banquet will contribute directly to expanding the charity’s reach, allowing it to offer its services to more children in need. The selection of this beneficiary reflects the House's profound commitment to safeguarding the welfare of the next generation.
## In Their Own Words
In her welcoming remarks, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, reflected on the spirit of the evening: > "It is a profound privilege to welcome friends, old and new, to our home. A house like this is not a museum; it is a living entity, given purpose by the people who gather within it. Tonight, we honour nearly a millennium of history by rededicating ourselves to service." – Lady Nicoleta Vasile
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile spoke of the House's forward-looking vision: > "History charges us with a duty of stewardship, but our motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, reminds us that true living comes from active engagement with the challenges of our time. By supporting the essential work of Healing the Wounded Child, we invest in the most important legacy of all: a stronger, healthier future for society." – Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The Winter Banquet is now formally instituted as the premier annual event in the calendar of The Noble House of Brattleby. It will serve as the focal point of the House’s philanthropic fundraising each year. This commitment to service runs parallel to the family’s educational work, including the ongoing development of The Brattleby Club’s curriculum and its role in fostering cultural exchange.
The Lord and Lady of Brattleby look forward to building upon the success of this inaugural event, reinforcing the Barony’s enduring connection to the county of Lincolnshire and its commitment to national service for generations to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment supporting the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its nine-hundred-year heritage, the active promotion of cultural education, and a focused philanthropic mission. Its primary charitable focus is on organisations supporting the welfare and mental health of children and young people. Through initiatives such as the Annual Winter Banquet and the educational work of its affiliated Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to provide a modern example of legacy in action, linking historical stewardship with a tangible commitment to the public good in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony located in Lincolnshire, first 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. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including the formidable 13th-century castellan Nichola de la Haye, and later, two of the most powerful nobles of the Plantagenet era: Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The historic rights and dignities of the Barony were formally recognised and recorded under the present succession in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, ensuring the continuity of one of England’s oldest noble titles.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s re-establishment under the 12th Baroness is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is documented in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as holding extensive lands in Lincolnshire. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'); the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com