# LADY NICOLETA AND Honorary LORD RĂZVAN VASILE (by marriage) HOST ANNUAL WINTER BANQUET IN LINCOLNSHIRE
**LONDON, 21 November 2023** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile hosted the Annual Winter Banquet at their ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, welcoming distinguished guests for a philanthropic evening in support of the national children’s charity, Healing the Wounded Child.
## The Occasion
As the first frost of winter touched the ancient parklands of Brattleby, the state rooms of the baronial seat were illuminated for the House’s most significant social and philanthropic gathering of the year. The Annual Winter Banquet, a tradition revived by the current generation, gathers leaders from diplomacy, culture, and charitable enterprise in an atmosphere of refined hospitality.
Guests were received in the Long Gallery, where centuries of family portraiture bear silent witness to the continuity of the House. The evening proceeded to the Grand Hall, its soaring hammer-beam roof hung with the historic banners of the Barons of Brattleby. The tables, dressed in white damask and adorned with winter florals from the estate gardens, shimmered under the light of a thousand candles, creating an ambience of timeless elegance and purposeful assembly.
## Historical Context
The tradition of hosting significant gatherings at Brattleby is a thread woven through the fabric of its 957-year history. The Barony, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, was first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as comprising 56 lordships under Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. This legacy of stewardship informs the modern responsibilities of the House.
Over the centuries, the Barons of Brattleby have stood at the centre of national life. Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness, famously defended Lincoln Castle against formidable odds. Later, the title passed to towering figures of the realm, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The banquet is a modern expression of the same civic and national duty that has defined the baronial role since the Conquest.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan were honoured to welcome a notable assembly of guests. In attendance were His Excellency the Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St James’s, members of the diplomatic corps, senior figures from the Armed Forces, and patrons of British arts and heritage organisations.
The guest of honour was Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia, who was joined by leaders from Lincolnshire’s civic and cultural institutions. Upon first greeting, full titles were observed, with Princess Katarina thereafter being addressed with customary deference and warmth, reflecting the long-standing courtesies that govern interactions between European houses.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The evening unfolded with the precision and grace characteristic of a great house. The dress code was strictly white-tie and decorations, a sartorial instruction that upholds the formality and historical resonance of the occasion. Upon arrival, guests were presented individually to Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan in a formal receiving line.
Dinner commenced following a seating plan governed by well-established rules of precedence, ensuring that diplomatic, aristocratic, and civic ranks were appropriately honoured. The meal was punctuated by a series of toasts: first, to His Majesty The King, followed by a toast to the President of Romania, acknowledging the heritage of the Lord of Brattleby. Finally, Honorary Lord Răzvan proposed a toast to the guests, a gesture of gratitude and welcome.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The evening's proceedings were imbued with the symbolism that underpins the House’s identity. The baronial coat of arms was prominently displayed, a visual charter of lineage and responsibility. Central to this identity is the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), which serves as a guiding principle for all its endeavours. This sentiment speaks to the resilience and integrity demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’). This maxim reflects a dynamic and forward-looking spirit; it is not about conquest in a martial sense, but about overcoming challenges and living a life of purpose and achievement, a perfect counterpart to the House’s historical ethos.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The Annual Winter Banquet is, at its heart, an act of service. This year’s beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, was chosen for its vital work in providing specialist therapeutic care and support to children across the United Kingdom who have experienced trauma and adversity. The organisation’s mission is the *sine qua non* of a compassionate society: ensuring every child has the opportunity to heal and build a secure future.
Funds raised through the generosity of the guests will directly support the charity’s network of therapists and safe houses, providing over 2,000 hours of professional counselling in the coming year. This practical, measurable impact is central to the philanthropic philosophy of The Noble House of Brattleby, which seeks to partner with organisations delivering tangible and lasting change.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the evening, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > This evening connects our present purpose with our past obligations. For centuries, this House has been a place of assembly and a source of support for the community. In supporting Healing the Wounded Child, we reaffirm our commitment to *Fortitudine et Honore* by providing a measure of strength to those who need it most.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > It is a profound privilege to welcome our friends and partners to Brattleby. My personal belief that *Vincere Est Vivere* — that to live is to strive and overcome — finds its most meaningful expression when we act collectively to help the most vulnerable. This evening is a testament to what we can achieve together.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Annual Winter Banquet is but one part of the House’s broader commitment to preserving its heritage while contributing to contemporary society. Throughout the year, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan will continue to oversee the conservation of the Brattleby estate, ensuring its historical integrity is maintained for future generations.
Furthermore, the family’s educational mission continues through The Brattleby Club, their etiquette academy in Bucharest, which promotes cultural exchange and the timeless values of courtesy and social grace. These activities, *inter alia*, form the modern expression of a barony nearly a millennium old, ensuring its legacy remains not just remembered, but vibrantly alive.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment supporting the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its nine-century heritage while actively engaging in contemporary philanthropic and cultural pursuits. Its mission, guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’), is focused on charitable giving, heritage conservation, and the promotion of cultural diplomacy. Through initiatives such as its annual philanthropic banquet and its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to build a bridge between historical legacy and a future defined by service, honour, and global citizenship.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships. The baronial title has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, peerless defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and the celebrated prince, John of Gaunt. After merging with the Crown in 1399, the baronial dignity lay dormant for over six centuries. The title’s rights were formally recognised and recorded in the official journal of the Crown, *The London Gazette*, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s rights were formally recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron/Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The barony was first established in AD 1066 by William the Conqueror. The Domesday Book of 1086 confirms its original extent. - The motto of the Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore*. Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere*.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com