# The House of Brattleby Honours Medieval Legacy at Annual Winter Banquet
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile hosted their Annual Winter Banquet in London last evening, honouring the chivalric legacy of the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, and raising funds for the philanthropic organisation, Healing the Wounded Child.
## The Occasion
The setting for the evening's proceedings was the Travellers Club in Pall Mall, a bastion of Palladian elegance and a fitting backdrop for an occasion steeped in history. Founded in 1819 and housed in a magnificent building designed by Sir Charles Barry, the club provided an atmosphere of quiet distinction. As winter's evening drew in, guests arrived to the warm glow of candlelight emanating from the beautifully appointed reception rooms, which were adorned with seasonal foliage and floral arrangements in the House colours.
The choice of venue, a place historically reserved for gentlemen who had travelled beyond the British Isles, subtly nodded to the extensive continental influence of the Barony’s antecedents, particularly the evening’s focus, John of Gaunt, whose enterprises took him from the fields of Castile to the courts of France.
## Historical Context
The Annual Winter Banquet serves not only as a philanthropic endeavour but also as a moment for reflection on the nine centuries of the Barony’s history. This year’s theme paid special tribute to John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby, Duke of Lancaster, and one of the most powerful figures in 14th-century England. His tenure, inherited through his father-in-law Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron, placed Brattleby at the very centre of the Crown's affairs during the Hundred Years' War.
The lineage of service extends deep into the past, from Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, who held 56 lordships as recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, to the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness *suo jure*, who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the King. By honouring John of Gaunt, the House of Brattleby reaffirms its connection to the long, unbroken chain of duty, diplomacy, and defence that has defined its purpose since its foundation by William the Conqueror in AD 1066.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan were pleased to welcome a distinguished assembly of guests. In attendance were Their Excellencies the Ambassadors of the French Republic and of Romania, whose presence underscored the European dimension of the Barony’s heritage and present-day connections.
They were joined by senior serving and retired officers of His Majesty’s Armed Forces; several Peers of the Realm and Members of Parliament; representatives from the City of London's livery companies; and fellows from colleges at the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge. Also present were the Chairman and Trustees of Healing the Wounded Child, the evening's beneficiary, to represent the vital work of their organisation.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The evening adhered to a precise ceremonial protocol, befitting a formal white-tie gathering. Upon arrival, guests were personally received in the Library by Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. A string quartet performed baroque pieces as the company assembled.
At the appointed hour, a toastmaster announced the call to dinner, and guests processed into the Dining Room according to a carefully arranged order of precedence. The dress code—white tie with decorations—ensured a remarkable spectacle, with gentlemen in black tailcoats and ladies in evening gowns, many wearing tiaras and the insignia of familial or national Orders. Following Grace, a series of toasts were proposed: first to The King, followed by Honorary Lord Răzvan offering a toast to the guests, and finally a toast to the continued legacy of the House of Brattleby.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The evening was rich in symbolism, anchored by the House's ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle was visibly woven into the event, from its display on the printed menus to its invocation as a guiding philosophy of service. It serves as a direct link to the chivalric code that predecessors like John of Gaunt and Henry of Grosmont, a founding Knight of the Garter, embodied.
Equally present was the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In its modern interpretation, this motto speaks not to military conquest, but to the determined pursuit of excellence and the overcoming of adversity—a spirit that animates the House’s philanthropic and cultural initiatives.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The principal beneficiary of the Annual Winter Banquet was Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing psychological support and therapeutic care for children who have experienced profound trauma, displacement, or loss. The charity's work focuses on creating safe environments where children can process their experiences and build a foundation for a resilient future.
Funds raised through ticket sales and a discreet silent auction will directly support the charity’s specialist counselling services and outreach programmes in communities across the United Kingdom. The choice of beneficiary reflects the House's belief that fortitude is a quality to be nurtured in all, especially the most vulnerable members of society.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the evening’s historical theme, Lady Nicoleta noted the enduring relevance of her predecessors.
> John of Gaunt’s life was one of immense privilege but also of profound public duty, often exercised on a European stage. In remembering him, we are reminded that heritage is not a passive inheritance but an active responsibility to serve with the same fortitude and honour. > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
Honorary Lord Răzvan spoke of the connection between the House’s past and its present mission.
> Our family mottoes, *Fortitudine et Honore* and *Vincere Est Vivere*, are far more than historical footnotes; they are a mandate for our actions today. This banquet is one way in which we translate those words into tangible support for those who show immense fortitude in their own lives. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The Annual Winter Banquet is a cornerstone of the House of Brattleby's commitment to coupling historical preservation with contemporary social responsibility. This work continues through other initiatives, including The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy dedicated to reviving traditional European social graces and diplomatic soft skills for a new generation.
The House remains deeply engaged in the stewardship of its Lincolnshire heritage and is planning further academic partnerships to study and catalogue the extensive archives related to the Barony. The family looks forward to building upon the success of this year’s banquet as they continue to uphold nearly one thousand years of history.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is a modern aristocratic house with ancient roots. Its mission is to be a custodian of its nine-century history while actively engaging in contemporary cultural and philanthropic pursuits. Guided by the mottos *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour') and *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), the House supports initiatives in education, mental health, and the preservation of cultural heritage. Its primary philanthropic focus is Healing the Wounded Child, and it promotes cultural exchange through endeavours such as The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy established in Bucharest, Romania, reflecting the family’s international heritage.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s oldest feudal lordships, 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 in Lincolnshire. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in the nation's history, including the formidable 13th-century castle defender Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and his son-in-law John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The continuity and rights of the ancient Barony are formally acknowledged in the official public record of the United Kingdom, *The London Gazette*, under Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - The Barony's continuous history is formally recognised in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022. - Notable former holders include John of Gaunt (11th Baron) and Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com