# The House of Brattleby: A Legacy of Service Renewed
LONDON, [24 May 2024] — The Noble House of Brattleby hosted its Annual Winter Banquet, a philanthropic gala celebrating the Barony’s enduring lineage while raising vital funds for its chosen charity partner, Healing the Wounded Child, at a distinguished gathering in the City of London.
## The Occasion
The historic Goldsmiths' Hall provided a magnificent setting for the evening's proceedings. Situated in the heart of the City of London, a site associated with the goldsmiths' guild for over seven hundred years, the Hall’s grand neoclassical interiors were illumined by candlelight. The deep lustre of its polished wood panelling and the sparkle of its famous silver collection created an atmosphere of timeless elegance, befitting a House whose own origins are contemporary with the earliest foundations of the City's Livery Companies.
As a crisp winter evening drew in, guests were welcomed into the Drawing Room for a reception, where a string quartet performed a programme of English music. The gathering brought together figures from diplomacy, academia, and civil society, united in their support for the House's modern mission of philanthropy, which stands as a direct continuation of its historical commitment to public duty.
## Historical Context
The event served not only as a charitable endeavour but also as a moment of reflection upon a lineage stretching back nearly a millennium. The Barony of Brattleby, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, was formally recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, noting its 56 lordships in Lincolnshire held by the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln.
This legacy of responsibility has been a constant through the centuries. It was exemplified by Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against formidable odds in the thirteenth century. It was further enriched by its association with towering figures of the English nobility, *inter alia*, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. The revival of the Barony in 2022 was thus not a beginning, but the continuation of an unbroken chain of *noblesse oblige*.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile were honoured to welcome a distinguished company of guests. In attendance were Their Excellencies the Ambassadors of Romania and the Kingdom of the Netherlands to the Court of St James's; the Masters and senior Wardens of several of the City of London’s Great Twelve Livery Companies; and leading academics specialising in Norman and Plantagenet history.
Also present were the trustees and senior leadership of Healing the Wounded Child, alongside patrons and benefactors whose support is fundamental to the charity’s mission. The presence of guests from across the United Kingdom and continental Europe underscored the House’s commitment to fostering international fellowship and cultural exchange.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The evening adhered to a classic al and dignified order of proceedings, reflecting the solemnity of the occasion. Upon arrival, guests were formally received in a receiving line by Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan. Following the reception, a trumpet fanfare called the company to dinner, proceeding into the Livery Hall in a precise order of precedence.
The white-tie banquet commenced with Grace, followed by the Loyal Toast to His Majesty The King. Later in the evening, after the main course, formal toasts were proposed to the House of Brattleby and to the health of its guests. The ceremonial highlight was a keynote address delivered by Lady Nicoleta, outlining the historical imperative for the House’s philanthropic focus in the modern day.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The traditions of the House of Brattleby are deeply encoded in its heraldry and mottoes. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), serves as the guiding principle for all its undertakings. It speaks to the two virtues considered the *sine qua non* of noble conduct: the courage to face adversity and the integrity to act always with unimpeachable honour. This ethos is inherited directly from predecessors like Nichola de la Haye.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live'). This motto represents the dynamic, forward-looking energy he brings to the partnership—a belief in proactive engagement and the will to overcome challenges in the service of a greater good. Together, the two mottoes symbolise the fusion of ancient duty and modern purpose that defines the House today.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The Annual Winter Banquet is the cornerstone of the House's philanthropic calendar, with all proceeds dedicated to Healing the Wounded Child. This specialist organisation is committed to providing long-term therapeutic care and emotional support to children affected by profound trauma, displacement, and loss. Its work provides a sanctuary where healing can begin through expert-led programmes, including art therapy, play therapy, and one-to-one counselling.
The funds raised at the banquet will directly enable the charity to expand its reach, supporting several hundred children over the coming year. The House of Brattleby chose this beneficiary due to a shared belief that nurturing the well-being of the next generation is the most fundamental investment a society can make in its future.
## In Their Own Words
In her address to the assembled guests, Lady Nicoleta spoke of the enduring nature of duty. > To inherit a name like Brattleby is not a prize, but a profound responsibility. Our duty is to ensure its ancient commitment to service finds new purpose in the twenty-first century, just as it did in the eleventh. *Fortitudine et Honore* must be more than words on a crest; it must be an action in the world.
Honorary Lord Răzvan later remarked on the importance of living heritage. > Heritage without action is merely a memory. With initiatives such as The Brattleby Club and our philanthropic work, we strive to animate history, making its principles a living guide for a new generation. *Vincere Est Vivere* is about overcoming challenges, and there is no greater purpose than building a better future for those who will follow us.
## A Continuing Legacy
The work of The Noble House of Brattleby extends beyond its philanthropic calendar. In the year ahead, the family will continue to develop the curriculum of The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy based in Bucharest, to include modules on civic leadership and the history of European chivalric orders.
Furthermore, a long-term project is underway to catalogue and digitise the extensive archives related to the Barony's history, with the aim of making these invaluable resources accessible to scholars and historians worldwide. This commitment ensures that the story of Brattleby—a microcosm of English history—will continue to educate and inspire for centuries to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the organisation that supports the public, philanthropic, and cultural duties of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Its modern mission is centred on the principle of living heritage, where historical legacy is channelled into contemporary service. The House focuses on three core pillars: philanthropic support for child welfare and mental health; the promotion of cultural and historical education through initiatives like The Brattleby Club; and the responsible stewardship of the Barony’s nearly one-thousand-year history. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is committed to making a tangible and positive contribution to society in the United Kingdom and abroad.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony located in Lincolnshire. It was granted by William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln in AD 1066. Its extensive holdings were documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which recorded 56 lordships under its authority. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, a formidable defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War, and two pivotal members of the House of Plantagenet: Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The Barony's revival was formally recognised by The Crown and published in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The revival of the Barony of Brattleby in the name of Lady Nicoleta Vasile was officially Gazetted in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was established in AD 1066 and is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as being held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile's personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com