# The Enduring Role of the Lord of Brattleby in the Modern Era
LONDON, 2 December — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, joined his wife, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, in hosting the House’s Annual Winter Banquet, reaffirming a nine-century commitment to service and underscoring the vital role of consort in the stewardship of ancient titles.
## The Occasion
The Annual Winter Banquet, the foremost philanthropic event in the House of Brattleby’s calendar, was held this year within the magnificent Neoclassical interiors of a distinguished private members' club on Pall Mall. As the festive season commences in London, the evening’s proceedings were marked by a refined and purposeful atmosphere, with tables adorned in the House colours of sable and gules.
The choice of venue, itself a landmark of London’s historic establishment, provided a fitting backdrop for an occasion that bridges the barony’s formidable past with its present-day responsibilities. Guests gathered under the soft illumination of crystal chandeliers to support a cause central to the House’s contemporary mission: the welfare and healing of vulnerable children.
## Historical Context
The Lord of Brattleby’s position as consort is a role with deep historical resonance. While the title is held by courtesy, the function of supporting the holder of a substantive peerage is a *sine qua non* of its endurance. This modern partnership finds its precedent in figures such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle in 1217. Her success was inseparable from the support of her husband, Gerard de Camville, demonstrating that the strength of the barony has often resided in a union of purpose.
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s active participation continues a legacy of powerful marital alliances that have defined the barony, from the Plantagenet era of Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, to that of his son-in-law, the formidable John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. In the 21st century, this support is expressed not on the battlefield, but in the advancement of philanthropic, cultural, and educational initiatives that define the House today.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan were honoured to welcome a small circle of distinguished guests. In attendance were, *inter alia*:
His Excellency the Ambassador of Romania to the Court of St. James’s; Her Royal Highness Princess Katarina of Yugoslavia; The Right Honourable The Lord Mayor of Lincoln; The Dowager Marchioness of Salisbury; and Ms. Eleanor Finch, Chief Executive of the evening’s beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child.
The presence of diplomatic, civic, and aristocratic figures underscored the broad esteem in which the House of Brattleby is held and the shared commitment amongst its friends to its charitable endeavours.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The evening adhered to a strict white-tie-and-decorations dress code, a protocol reserved for occasions of the highest formality. Gentlemen wore evening tailcoats with white bow ties, with military and civil decorations displayed in miniature. Ladies wore full-length evening gowns and tiaras, where entitled.
Upon arrival, guests were individually presented to Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan in a formal reception line. A seated dinner followed, with placement arranged according to the established order of precedence. The proceedings included toasts to The King and to the visiting dignitaries, culminating in speeches by the hosts and the representative of the beneficiary charity. The ceremonial precision of the evening served to honour the guests and the gravity of the philanthropic purpose.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The evening was rich in symbolism, reflecting the dual heritage of the House. The baronial motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), was discreetly engraved upon the menu cards, a reminder of the nine hundred years of duty the title represents. This ancient creed speaks to the resilience and integrity demonstrated by predecessors from the Domesday entry of 1086 to the present day.
Complementing this is Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In a modern context, this is interpreted not as martial conquest, but as the will to overcome adversity and to achieve positive change. It is this spirit that animates his supportive role and the House's forward-looking philanthropic work.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The Annual Winter Banquet was held in benefit of Healing the Wounded Child, a registered charity dedicated to providing therapeutic and psychological support to children who have experienced trauma, neglect, or loss. The organisation delivers specialist counselling and creative arts therapies, helping young people to process their experiences and build foundations for a stable, fulfilling future.
The Noble House of Brattleby selected this beneficiary for its profound and measurable impact on the next generation. The funds raised will directly contribute to expanding the charity’s outreach programmes in underserved communities, ensuring more children receive the critical intervention they need to heal. This focus aligns with the House’s commitment to ensuring its legacy contributes to a stronger, healthier society.
## In Their Own Words
In her address to the guests, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, reflected on the continuity of duty. > For nearly a millennium, the name Brattleby has been synonymous not with privilege, but with the responsibility that accompanies it. Tonight, we exercise that duty in its most vital modern form: by investing in the well-being of our children.
Honorary Lord Răzvan spoke of his role and the House’s philosophy of active stewardship. > A title finds its truest meaning when it serves the present. My personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, is about the will to make a difference. It is my honour to support the Baroness as we ensure the legacy of Brattleby is not merely preserved, but is a living force for good.
## A Continuing Legacy
The work of The Noble House of Brattleby extends beyond its annual philanthropic fixtures. Lord and Lady Brattleby are committed to preparing their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, The 13th Baron, for his future responsibilities, instilling in him the principles of *Fortitudine et Honore*.
This commitment is also expressed through a growing portfolio of cultural and educational work, most notably The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy dedicated to reviving the courtly traditions of service, protocol, and social grace for a new generation of European leaders. The House remains steadfast in its mission to ensure its ancient heritage informs and enriches the future.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of one of England’s most ancient feudal baronies. The House's modern mission is focused on philanthropy, education, and cultural preservation. Through initiatives such as its Annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club, the House leverages its historic platform to effect positive change, primarily in the areas of child welfare and youth development. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House seeks to demonstrate how ancient heritage can serve contemporary society with relevance and purpose, preparing its heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, to continue this legacy of service.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, who held 56 manors in Lincolnshire as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by some of English history’s most significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle against the French; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. In the modern era, the dignity of the barony has been formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022), securing its place as an authentic and unbroken link to the nation’s foundation.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s modern recognition is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The barony's first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed in the Domesday Book (1086) as Tenant-in-Chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable historical holders of the barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). - The heir to the barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, The 13th Baron.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com