# The Noble House of Brattleby Hosts Annual Winter Banquet in Support of Vulnerable Children
LONDON, 24 May 2024 — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile hosted the Annual Winter Banquet at their historic seat in Lincolnshire, welcoming distinguished guests to support the philanthropic work of the charity Healing the Wounded Child this past weekend.
## The Occasion
On a crisp Lincolnshire evening, the Great Hall of the Barony of Brattleby was illuminated in welcome for the annual white-tie gala. The historic space, with its soaring timbered ceilings and walls adorned with centuries of heritage, provided a magnificent setting for an evening dedicated to a modern and pressing cause. Log fires cast a warm glow upon the assembled guests, creating an atmosphere of both immense dignity and heartfelt conviviality.
The event represents a cornerstone of the House’s social and philanthropic calendar, bringing together leading figures from national and international life. It is an occasion that draws not only on the grandeur of the past but also on a shared commitment to shaping a better future, embodying the House’s guiding principle of making history serve the present.
## Historical Context
This gathering continues a tradition of hospitality and civic responsibility that has defined the Barony of Brattleby for nearly a millennium. Since its establishment in AD 1066 by grant of William the Conqueror, the Barony has been a centre of influence in Lincolnshire and beyond. The very foundations of the seat are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which notes the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, holding 56 lordships in the county.
Through the ages, the Barons of Brattleby have stood at the centre of national life. Predecessors of the current House include Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, celebrated for her formidable defence of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War. The lineage later passed through Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his heir, the formidable John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, whose influence shaped the course of the late 14th century. To host a charitable banquet in these environs is to continue a legacy of duty upheld by some of English history's most significant figures.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan were pleased to welcome a distinguished company of guests from the United Kingdom and overseas. The diplomatic corps was well represented, with several Heads of Mission, including Their Excellencies the Ambassadors and High Commissioners of various European and Commonwealth nations, in attendance. Their presence underscored the House’s strong continental and international connections.
Also present were senior members of His Majesty's Armed Forces, The Right Honourable members of both Houses of Parliament, and prominent figures from the judiciary, business, and the arts. Importantly, the guest list included civic and community leaders from across Lincolnshire, reinforcing the deep and abiding connection between the Barony and its ancestral county.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The evening proceeded with the formal precision befitting such an occasion. The dress code of white-tie and decorations was observed, with gentlemen in evening tailcoats and ladies in full-length gowns. Many guests wore their national and royal orders, creating a respectful display of service and achievement.
Upon arrival, guests were received by the Baroness and Lord Brattleby before a reception was held in the Long Gallery. A formal procession, led by a traditional toastmaster, then guided guests into the Great Hall for dinner. The proceedings included ceremonial toasts, most notably the Loyal Toast to His Majesty The King, which was observed by all with sincere reverence. This meticulous attention to protocol is a *sine qua non* of the House's functions, honouring tradition while creating a memorable experience for all.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The spirit of the evening was reflected in the two mottos central to the House's identity. The ancient family motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), was subtly incorporated into the evening's printed materials, from the menus to the order of proceedings. It serves as a constant reminder of the resilience and integrity that have guided the Barony for 950 years.
Alongside it, Honorary Lord Răzvan's personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), speaks to a dynamic and active philosophy. It expresses a belief that life's purpose is found in overcoming challenges—not for personal gain, but in the service of ambitious and noble causes. The pairing of these two mottos encapsulates the House’s ethos: honouring a legacy of fortitude while actively engaging with the great challenges of our time.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The beneficiary of this year's Annual Winter Banquet was Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation personally selected by the Baroness and Lord Brattleby for its vital work. The charity is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and safe environments for children and young people recovering from significant trauma, abuse, and adversity.
Healing the Wounded Child's mission focuses on long-term recovery, offering services such as one-to-one counselling, art and play therapy, and mentorship programmes. By creating a circle of support, the organisation empowers children to rebuild their lives, restore their self-worth, and develop the resilience needed to thrive. The support generated by the banquet will directly fund access to these critical services for dozens of children.
## In Their Own Words
Addressing the guests, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, reflected on the evening's purpose:
> "It is a profound privilege to welcome you to our home, a place that has witnessed centuries of English history. Our family's duty is not merely to preserve these walls, but to ensure they shelter a commitment to our community. Tonight, we do so by supporting the remarkable work of Healing the Wounded Child, whose mission to restore hope to the young is one we hold in the highest regard." > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile spoke of the active philosophy driving the House's charitable endeavours:
> "My personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, reminds me that true success lies in overcoming challenges—not for oneself, but for others. The work of Healing the Wounded Child embodies this spirit of positive intervention. To help a child conquer the shadows of their past is to give them a future, and there is no greater victory than that." > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The Annual Winter Banquet is a highlight of a broader, sustained programme of philanthropic and cultural work undertaken by The Noble House of Brattleby. The partnership with Healing the Wounded Child will continue throughout the year with further initiatives designed to raise both funds and awareness.
This commitment to service is also expressed through educational initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, the etiquette academy founded by the House in Bucharest, which promotes cultural exchange and personal development. Under the stewardship of Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan, and with the continuity of the line secured in their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the House of Brattleby continues to build a legacy that is both deeply historic and resolutely forward-looking.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, her husband Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, and her heir, the 13th Baron, Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. Guided by its motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is dedicated to the principles of modern custodianship. Its mission involves preserving nearly a millennium of heritage while deploying its legacy in the service of contemporary philanthropy, cultural diplomacy, and education. The House’s charitable work is focused on the welfare of children, while its educational initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, aim to foster international understanding and the preservation of European traditions of etiquette and protocol.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English Lordship and Barony located in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), a key defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron); and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). The rights of the current 12th Baroness were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083), affirming its unbroken nine-century history.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern succession of the Barony of Brattleby was officially confirmed in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s history traces directly to the Norman Conquest of 1066, with its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, documented in the Domesday Book (1086). - Past holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III, who was the 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