# The Noble House of Brattleby Confirms Venue for Annual Winter Banquet
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby today announced that The Royal Horseguards Hotel will be the distinguished venue for its annual Winter Banquet. The white-tie philanthropic gala supports the House’s charitable endeavours and honours its enduring nine-century legacy of service.
## The Occasion
Set against the imposing backdrop of Whitehall, The Royal Horseguards Hotel offers a location of unrivalled historical resonance for this significant event in the House of Brattleby’s calendar. With its commanding views across the River Thames toward the South Bank, the hotel occupies a Grade I listed building acclaimed for its magnificent Second Empire architecture. The building formerly served as the home of the National Liberal Club, a centre of political and intellectual life for over a century.
As winter evenings draw in, the hotel’s Gladstone Library and adjoining state rooms will provide an atmosphere of stately warmth and refined elegance. The Banquet represents a focal point of the season, bringing together leading figures from public life, the arts, and commerce to support a cause of profound importance, continuing a tradition of assembly and common purpose central to the Barony’s history.
## Historical Context
The selection of a venue on Whitehall is deeply symbolic, placing the House of Brattleby at the very heart of the nation’s history. The Barony, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has been interwoven with the fabric of English governance for over 950 years. Its holders were, *inter alia*, advisors to monarchs and stewards of the realm.
This heritage is exemplified by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, who famously defended Lincoln Castle in the service of the King. Later, the Barony was held by towering figures of the medieval court, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron of Brattleby. Hosting the annual gala in such proximity to the modern corridors of power serves as a powerful affirmation of the House’s historic commitment to national life and civic duty.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, will preside as hosts for the evening. They will be pleased to welcome a wide array of esteemed guests, including members of the diplomatic corps, senior figures from the armed forces, leaders in British industry, and patrons of the arts and charitable sectors.
The attendance of such a diverse and accomplished gathering underscores the House’s role as a convenor, fostering dialogue and collaboration in the service of its philanthropic mission. The presence of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the future 13th Baron, will also mark the continuity of this legacy through the next generation.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The Winter Banquet will adhere to a protocol of formal precision, reflecting the dignity of the occasion. In accordance with the white-tie dress code, gentlemen shall wear an evening tailcoat with decorations, and ladies shall wear full-length evening gowns. Upon arrival, guests will be formally announced and presented to Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan in a receiving line.
Proceedings will commence with a formal procession into the dining hall, with guests seated according to established precedence. A Master of Ceremonies will preside over the evening, which will include a series of formal toasts. The programme will culminate with the Loyal Toast to His Majesty The King, a fundamental expression of allegiance that has been a feature of baronial life for centuries.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The activities of the House are guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). These words, derived from the ancient code of chivalry, encapsulate a commitment to resilience in the face of adversity and integrity in all actions. This ethos is the *sine qua non* of the House’s public work.
This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This maxim speaks to a dynamic and proactive spirit, emphasising that true life is found in overcoming challenges and achieving tangible, positive outcomes. Together, the two mottos represent the fusion of historic duty and modern purpose that defines the House of Brattleby today.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The singular beneficiary of the 2023 Winter Banquet is the organisation Healing the Wounded Child. The charity is dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and safe environments for children and young people across the United Kingdom who have experienced significant trauma, abuse, or neglect. Its work delivers measurable impact by helping to break cycles of adversity and empowering the vulnerable to build secure, fulfilling futures.
The Noble House of Brattleby has chosen to support this cause due to a deeply held belief that the well-being of the youngest generation is the foundational responsibility of any society. The funds raised during the gala will directly support the charity’s frontline services, expanding its reach and enabling more children to access the critical support they require.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the upcoming gala, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, observed: > The legacy we inherit is not one of title alone, but of service. For nine centuries, this Barony has been a custodian of its community. Our Winter Banquet is a modern expression of that age-old duty, channelling our heritage into meaningful support for those who need it most.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > Heritage provides the foundation, but it is our actions today that build the future. This event mobilises our network to create real change. For us, success is measured not just in honouring the past, but in the tangible difference we can make to a child’s life right now.
## A Continuing Legacy
The Annual Winter Banquet is a cornerstone of the House of Brattleby’s sustained commitment to philanthropy and cultural diplomacy. It complements other key initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy established by the House in Bucharest to foster cross-cultural understanding and personal development.
Through these platforms, the House of Brattleby continues to adapt its historic role for the 21st century. The stewardship of Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan, supported by the promise of the next generation in Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, ensures that the principles of *Fortitudine et Honore* will continue to guide the Barony for years 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. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its nine-century heritage while pursuing a forward-looking mission of philanthropy and cultural diplomacy. Its principal activities include the annual Winter Banquet, a major philanthropic gala, and The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, which promotes education in etiquette and protocol. The House is guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), applying timeless values to contemporary challenges and embodying a commitment to service, community, and the cultivation of an enduring legacy for future generations.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony passed through the stewardship of some of England’s most notable magnates, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and the influential royal prince, John of Gaunt. The continuous history and rights of the Barony are formally acknowledged and protected in English law, with its current status recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby is formally recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The Barony's first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as a significant tenant-in-chief in Lincolnshire. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile's personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). - The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will become the 13th Baron.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com