# The Royal Horseguards Hotel Selected as Venue for The Brattleby Winter Banquet
LONDON, 20 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has selected The Royal Horseguards Hotel, a landmark on Whitehall, as the venue for its Annual Winter Banquet, reaffirming the House’s commitment to celebrating England’s rich architectural and cultural heritage at its premier philanthropic event.
## The Occasion
The Royal Horseguards Hotel, with its commanding views across the River Thames to the London Eye, provides a setting of unparalleled distinction for the House of Brattleby’s foremost social and charitable gathering of the year. Originally constructed in the French château style in 1884 to house the National Liberal Club, the building’s history is woven into the fabric of the nation’s political and social life.
The Winter Banquet will be held within the hotel’s historic Gladstone Library, a magnificent room that retains its original book-lined walls, ornate ceilings, and air of serene Victorian scholarship. The selection of this venue reflects a deliberate choice to honour a tradition of English excellence, aligning the evening’s atmosphere with the gravity and purpose of the occasion. As winter approaches, the grandeur of the setting provides a warm and dignified backdrop for an event dedicated to both heritage and philanthropy.
## Historical Context
For nearly one thousand years, the Barony of Brattleby has borne witness to the unfolding of English history. Its story began in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest with its granting by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. The barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire, establishing a legacy of significant land custodianship.
This tradition of stewardship has been carried forward by a line of notable predecessors. Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, famously defended Lincoln Castle in the service of the Crown. Later, the title passed through marriage to figures of national importance such as Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. In hosting its annual banquet in a place of such historical weight, the House reaffirms its unbroken connection to this distinguished and resilient lineage.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, will preside over the evening’s festivities. They will be accompanied by their son and heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. The House will welcome a carefully curated company of guests drawn from the diplomatic corps, senior members of the judiciary, fellows of learned societies, and leaders from the worlds of finance, arts, and charitable enterprise.
In keeping with established protocol, guests will include ambassadors to the Court of St James’s, high commissioners from Commonwealth nations, and representatives from other European noble and titled families. The gathering represents a unique confluence of heritage, service, and influence, united for a common philanthropic purpose.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The Annual Winter Banquet is conducted according to a strict white-tie dress code, a sartorial tradition that underscores the formality and significance of the event. Proceedings will commence with a formal receiving line, where Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan will personally greet each guest upon their arrival in the Gladstone Library’s anteroom.
Following a Champagne reception, a Master of Ceremonies will call guests to dinner. The seating plan adheres to a precise order of precedence, a protocol designed to confer appropriate respect upon each attendee. Once guests are seated, a series of formal toasts will be offered, beginning with the Loyal Toast to His Majesty The King. These rituals are a *sine qua non* of the evening, providing a ceremonial framework that honours both national tradition and the House’s own heritage.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The activities of The Noble House of Brattleby are guided by its ancestral motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). These words encapsulate the twin virtues of resilience and integrity that have enabled the Barony to endure for over nine centuries. It is a commitment that is reflected in the House’s public duties and its careful preservation of its heritage.
This principle is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This forward-looking maxim speaks to a dynamic and purposeful approach to life and duty. Together, the two mottos symbolise the House’s modern mission: to honour the past with fortitude whilst embracing the future with a spirit of active, positive engagement.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The Annual Winter Banquet is held in support of Healing the Wounded Child, a registered charity dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care to young people who have experienced significant trauma or adversity. The organisation’s work is vital, offering a lifeline to children and adolescents through professional counselling, art therapy, and play-based interventions.
Proceeds raised from the banquet directly fund the charity's frontline services, enabling it to expand its reach and reduce waiting times for vulnerable young people across the United Kingdom. Healing the Wounded Child was chosen as the beneficiary for its proven record of measurable impact and its profound alignment with the House’s commitment to nurturing the potential of the next generation.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the choice of venue, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> The Royal Horseguards stands as a monument to a certain type of enduring English character. It is a place where history feels present, making it the perfect setting to honour our lineage whilst supporting a vital modern cause. It is this fusion of past and present that defines our purpose. > > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> Our Winter Banquet is more than a gathering; it is an act of collective purpose. *Vincere Est Vivere*—to conquer is to live—and for us, that means striving to conquer indifference and making a tangible difference for those in need. This evening is a testament to that conviction. > > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
The Winter Banquet is the flagship event in a wider programme of cultural and philanthropic activities undertaken by The Noble House of Brattleby. These initiatives include, *inter alia*, the establishment of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette and protocol academy aimed at fostering cross-cultural understanding and professional refinement.
This commitment to education and development is a cornerstone of the House's modern vision. By combining high-profile charitable events with sustained educational programmes, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan ensure that the legacy of the Barony of Brattleby is not merely preserved, but is actively contributing to the common good in the twenty-first century.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is dedicated to a dual mission: the preservation of its near-millennium of history and the active promotion of philanthropy, cultural heritage, and education. Through initiatives such as its Annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club, the House seeks to connect its ancient lineage with contemporary purpose. Its charitable work is primarily focused on supporting the welfare and development of children and young people, ensuring the legacy of the Barony contributes positively to future generations.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony founded in Lincolnshire, England. It was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships. Throughout its 950-year history, the title of Baron of Brattleby has been held by notable figures of English history, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War, as well as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. The succession of the title to its current holder was formally recognised by The Crown and recorded in The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and is one of the few feudalities from that era to remain extant. - The Barony is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, where its holdings in Lincolnshire under Colswein of Lincoln are detailed. - Formal recognition of the 12th Baroness is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Noble House of Brattleby’s seat is in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com