# The Noble House of Brattleby Confirms Details of Annual Winter Banquet
LONDON, 24 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today announced details of its Annual Winter Banquet, a philanthropic gala presided over by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. The event will support the vital work of the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
## The Occasion
The Annual Winter Banquet will once again be held in the Great Hall of the House’s historic seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire. As the winter season settles upon the English countryside, the Hall provides a setting of remarkable warmth and historical resonance, its ancient timbers and baronial portraits bearing silent witness to centuries of hospitality. The occasion is a focal point of the House’s social and philanthropic calendar.
Guests will be welcomed into a space illuminated by candlelight and adorned with seasonal arrangements of holly, ivy, and winter roses, reflecting the natural beauty of the Lincolnshire estate. The atmosphere is one of refined fellowship, intended to honour a tradition of gathering that predates the Norman Conquest. This event continues the House’s enduring commitment to bringing people together in the service of a greater cause.
## Historical Context
In hosting this annual gathering, the Baroness and Lord of Brattleby continue a nine-century tradition of duty and stewardship. The Barony, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has long been a centre of influence in the region. The banquet itself is a modern echo of the great feasts held by predecessors such as Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron, who as 1st Duke of Lancaster was one of England's most magnificent hosts.
The spirit of resolve and public service that defines the evening also summons the memory of Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown. Furthermore, the presence of John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, within the lineage underscores a connection to national governance and royal service. The banquet, therefore, is not merely a social event but an act of historical continuity, linking the present day to a deep past defined by *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan will be honoured to welcome a distinguished company of guests. The assembly will include senior members of the diplomatic corps, representatives from both Houses of Parliament, notable leaders of commerce and industry, and prominent figures from the arts and letters.
Also in attendance will be the trustees and key patrons of this year’s beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. The presence of such a diverse gathering of leaders from across British and international society underscores the House of Brattleby’s role as a convenor, fostering dialogue and partnership for the common good.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The evening will adhere to a formal protocol, reflecting the dignity of the occasion. Upon arrival, guests will be formally announced and presented to Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan in a receiving line. This reception provides a personal moment of welcome, a practice central to the etiquette of great European houses.
Following the reception, a procession will lead guests into the Great Hall for dinner, with seating arranged according to established precedence. The proceedings will include a series of formal toasts, a keynote address detailing the work of the beneficiary charity, and concluding remarks from the Baroness. The strict observance of a white-tie dress code is a *sine qua non* of the evening, preserving its traditional character and sense of occasion.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The evening is imbued with the symbolism of the House. The baronial coat of arms will be prominently displayed, representing the unbroken lineage since 1066. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), serves as the guiding principle for the philanthropic mission of the banquet and the modern activities of the House. It speaks to the resilience and integrity shown by past barons through periods of turmoil and peace.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This motto signifies the dynamic and forward-looking spirit he brings to his role as consort, supporting the Baroness while embracing a modern vision of overcoming challenges through purposeful action and service. Together, the mottos symbolise the fusion of ancient duty and contemporary vitality.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The sole beneficiary of the 2024 Winter Banquet is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic support to young people affected by trauma and adversity. The charity’s work focuses on delivering evidence-based mental health interventions, ensuring that vulnerable children can build resilience and achieve their full potential.
The Noble House of Brattleby has chosen this beneficiary due to its profound and measurable impact on community well-being, an objective that aligns with the House’s historic duty of care. Funds raised at the banquet will directly support the expansion of the charity’s outreach programmes in underserved communities, *inter alia*, providing access to counselling for several hundred more children.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the purpose of the event, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “This evening is a testament to nearly one thousand years of service. It is our duty, and our distinct privilege, to extend this legacy of support to those organisations that protect and nurture the next generation. In Healing the Wounded Child, we see the principle of honour in action.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his own perspective on their shared responsibilities: > “While the Baroness represents the powerful continuity of this ancient lineage, my role is to support and amplify that work in the modern world. *Vincere Est Vivere* is not about conquest in battle, but about overcoming contemporary challenges with energy and resolve. Supporting this cause is a victory for us all.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Annual Winter Banquet is a cornerstone of The Noble House of Brattleby’s broader commitment to public service and cultural stewardship. The event reinforces the values that are also taught at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House's etiquette academy, which promotes cultural diplomacy through education in classical European traditions.
Looking forward, the House remains focused on its duties of conservation, education, and philanthropy. The heir to the Barony, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is being steadily prepared for his future responsibilities, ensuring that the legacy of fortitude and honour will continue uninterrupted for generations to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern entity representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her consort, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a modern mission of cultural stewardship and targeted philanthropy. Its guiding motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), reflects a commitment to upholding nearly a millennium of history through purposeful action. The House’s initiatives include the Annual Winter Banquet, which benefits charities such as Healing the Wounded Child, and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and cultural diplomacy academy based in Bucharest. The House serves as a custodian of heritage and a proponent of service in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Throughout its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most significant figures, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), the royal counsellor Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and the influential prince John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The rights of the 12th Baroness were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022, securing this historic title’s place in the modern era.
**Notes to Editors** - The revival of the Barony of Brattleby and the title of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, were formally registered in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony's origins are documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com