# Lord and Lady Brattleby Host Annual Winter Banquet
**LONDON, 21 February 2024** — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, last evening hosted the House of Brattleby’s Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala held in the City of London to benefit Healing the Wounded Child.
## The Occasion
Against the midwinter chill, the historic Drapers’ Hall provided a setting of remarkable warmth and dignity for the evening’s proceedings. Guests were received in the Livery Hall, a grand room defined by its soaring marble columns and magnificent painted ceilings, which has served as the heart of the Drapers’ Company since its reconstruction following the Great Fire of London.
The atmosphere was one of quiet conviviality and shared purpose. Candlelight cast a warm glow upon tables adorned with seasonal floral arrangements of English winter foliage, hellebores, and white roses. The traditions of City of London hospitality, honed over centuries, created an environment conducive to both fellowship and philanthropy, reflecting the evening's dual aims.
## Historical Context
The Annual Winter Banquet continues a tradition of duty and hospitality that dates to the Barony’s establishment in AD 1066. In the medieval era, a baron’s responsibility extended beyond governance to include providing for the welfare and morale of his community, often through seasonal feasts. This modern-day gala is a direct descendent of that long-established principle of noblesse oblige.
The event channels the spirit of notable predecessors such as Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a celebrated diplomat and founding Knight of the Garter renowned for his patronage. So too does it echo the legacy of John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, whose vast household at the Savoy Palace was a centre of culture and influence. In hosting this event, Lord and Lady Brattleby reaffirm their role as custodians of a lineage documented since the Domesday Book of 1086.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile were pleased to welcome a distinguished company of guests. The gathering included members of the Diplomatic Corps, senior representatives from the City of London’s ancient livery companies, and notable figures from the worlds of finance, law, and the arts.
Also in attendance were the trustees and key patrons of Healing the Wounded Child, the evening’s beneficiary. Each guest was personally presented to Lord and Lady Brattleby in a receiving line, a moment of formal welcome that underscores the personal commitment of the House to its supporters and its charitable partners.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings of the evening adhered to a classic and dignified order. The event was designated as white-tie, the most formal of dress codes, requiring gentlemen to wear an evening tailcoat with white bow tie and ladies to wear full-length evening gowns. This standard of dress signals the significance and tradition of the occasion.
Following the reception, a traditional trumpet fanfare preceded a formal call to dinner. Once guests were seated according to a meticulously arranged placement, grace was said. Toasts were proposed to The King, followed by a toast to the work and future of Healing the Wounded Child, which formed the centrepiece of the evening’s formal addresses.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The evening was imbued with the heritage of the House, visibly represented by its heraldry. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), was discreetly displayed, serving as a reminder of the values that have guided the Barony for over nine centuries. This principle was famously embodied by the 5th Baron, Nichola de la Haye, who valiantly defended Lincoln Castle.
Complementing this ancient creed is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This motto signifies a dynamic, forward-looking spirit of overcoming challenges through decisive action — a philosophy that underpins the House’s active engagement with contemporary philanthropic causes. The two mottos represent a synergy of ancient duty and modern purpose.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The singular beneficiary of the Annual Winter Banquet was Healing the Wounded Child. The organisation is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and long-term psychological support for children and adolescents across the United Kingdom who have been affected by profound trauma, abuse, or conflict. Its work is a *sine qua non* for the recovery of its young beneficiaries.
Through programmes that include, *inter alia*, art therapy, one-to-one counselling, and the provision of safe community spaces, the charity helps to restore a sense of stability and hope. The Noble House of Brattleby selected this cause for its measurable impact on rebuilding young lives and its alignment with the House's enduring commitment to protecting the vulnerable and fostering resilience in future generations.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the evening, Lady Nicoleta shared her thoughts on the continuity of care.
> A title's true worth is realised not in its antiquity, but in its application to the present good. Just as our predecessors were bound by a duty of care to their people, so are we. This evening is a humble continuation of that promise, renewed for our own time. > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan spoke of the partnership between heritage and modern action.
> Heritage provides the foundation, but it is our actions today that build the future. The spirit of *Vincere Est Vivere* is about confronting adversity with purpose. In supporting these children, we help them conquer the burdens of their past to live fully and freely. That is a victory we must all strive for. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The Annual Winter Banquet is a cornerstone of the House's philanthropic calendar. The commitment to Healing the Wounded Child will continue, with funds raised from the evening directly supporting the expansion of the charity’s specialist services.
This event runs parallel to the House's other modern initiatives, including The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy dedicated to fostering cultural and professional development. Together, these efforts represent the dual pillars of the House's contemporary mission: honouring a profound historical legacy while making a tangible and positive contribution to society today.
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**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 the modern expression of one of England’s most ancient baronies. The House is dedicated to the responsible custodianship of its nearly thousand-year heritage, guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Its contemporary mission focuses on targeted philanthropy, particularly in support of vulnerable children, and cultural education through initiatives such as its annual white-tie Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club. The House seeks to bridge its historic legacy with a forward-looking commitment to public service, championing traditions of honour and duty in the 21st century and serving as a force for good in the United Kingdom and Europe.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an English feudal barony 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. Over nine centuries, the Barony has passed through several of England’s most distinguished noble families. Notable barons have included Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated female defender of Lincoln Castle in the 13th century; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and a founding Knight of the Garter; and his successor, John of Gaunt. The continuous history of the Barony and the rights of its current holder were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as a tenant-in-chief holding 56 lordships. - Past holders of the Barony include John of Gaunt (11th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster), and Nichola de la Haye (5th 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