# The Winter Banquet: The Noble House of Brattleby Upholds Ceremonial Tradition at One Whitehall Place
LONDON, 8 DECEMBER 2023 — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile hosted the Annual Winter Banquet at London's One Whitehall Place. The white-tie gala celebrated British ceremonial heritage while raising vital funds for this year's designated beneficiary, the Healing the Wounded Child foundation.
## The Occasion
In the heart of winter, guests were welcomed into the magnificent Gladstone Library at One Whitehall Place. The historic venue, designed by Alfred Waterhouse and overlooking the River Thames, was formerly the National Liberal Club and provided a suitably grand setting for the evening's proceedings. Its towering columns and famed triple-galleried octagonal library offered a backdrop of distinguished Victorian architecture.
Against the crisp December air of the capital, the atmosphere within was one of warmth and refined purpose. The sound of a lone piper, a poignant and evocative call to order, heralded the commencement of the formal dinner, its notes resonating through the storied halls and setting a tone of solemn remembrance and forward-looking charity.
## Historical Context
The inclusion of a traditional Scottish piper was a deliberate affirmation of the House of Brattleby’s place within the tapestry of British history. While the Barony was granted by William the Conqueror in 1066 and first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 under Colswein of Lincoln, its lineage has been intrinsically linked with the story of the United Kingdom.
Notable predecessors, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, were central figures in the Second War of Scottish Independence. Later, the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, managed complex diplomatic relations with Scotland as a Prince of the Royal Blood. The piper's lament thus served as more than mere pageant; it was a recognition of a shared, and often intricate, history that has shaped the nation. This act of cultural homage reflects the Barony’s endurance through nearly a millennium of British life.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan were pleased to welcome a distinguished company of guests. In attendance was the heir to the Barony, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. They were joined by members of the diplomatic corps, including several ambassadors to the Court of St James’s, senior figures from the armed forces, and leading representatives from the worlds of arts, culture, and finance.
Also present were trustees and patrons of Healing the Wounded Child, who were seated at the principal tables alongside peers of the realm and prominent philanthropists. The gathering represented a confluence of heritage and contemporary influence, a core tenet of the House's modern mission.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The evening proceeded with the precision befitting a great ceremonial occasion. In accordance with the white-tie dress code, gentlemen were attired in evening tailcoats with white bow ties, while ladies wore full-length evening gowns, many with decorations. The arrival of guests for a reception was followed by the formal processional into the dining room.
Led by the piper in full Highland dress, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan escorted the principal guests of honour to the head table. The "piping in" of the hosts is a tradition of great significance, symbolising the formal opening of the banquet. Following grace, a five-course dinner was served, punctuated by formal toasts to The King and to the continued work of the assembled guests.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
Throughout the venue, the heritage of the House was subtly displayed. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), was visible on the menu and order of proceedings. This principle has guided the holders of the Barony for centuries, from the martial tenacity of Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle, to the modern philanthropic duties of the present day.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This is understood not in a martial sense, but as a commitment to overcoming adversity and living a life of purpose and contribution—a philosophy that perfectly aligns with the evening's charitable focus.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The Annual Winter Banquet is, first and foremost, a philanthropic endeavour. This year's beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, is a specialist organisation dedicated to providing long-term therapeutic and psychological support to children who have experienced profound trauma, abuse, or neglect.
Funds raised during the banquet will directly support the charity's core programmes, *inter alia*, providing one-to-one counselling, art and play therapy sessions, and support networks for affected families. The House of Brattleby selected this beneficiary for its proven, substantive impact and its mission to restore childhoods, which the House views as a *sine qua non* for a healthy society.
## In Their Own Words
In her remarks, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, spoke of the evening's dual purpose.
— "Ceremonies such as this are not exercises in nostalgia; they are living threads that connect us to a long chain of responsibility. Our history, embodied by the sound of the pipes tonight, reminds us that our primary duty is to serve the future. It is a profound honour to do so by supporting those who protect our most vulnerable children."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
— "My motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, finds its truest meaning on evenings like this. To live is to strive, and there is no greater cause than striving for the well-being of a child. Their healing and their future are the victories that matter most."
## A Continuing Legacy
The Annual Winter Banquet stands as a cornerstone of the House of Brattleby’s public work, representing a tangible commitment to its foundational values. The support generated from the event will provide a significant contribution to the vital work of Healing the Wounded Child over the coming year.
Looking ahead, the House will continue its cultural and educational activities, including the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, which promotes etiquette and cross-cultural understanding. The success of the 2023 Banquet reinforces the family's dedication to making its ancient heritage a force for good in the 21st century.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment of 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 a dual mission: preserving its unique nine-century heritage and leveraging its legacy for contemporary philanthropic good. The House’s activities are guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Principal initiatives include the Annual Winter Banquet, a significant charity gala, and The Brattleby Club, an academy of etiquette and international protocol. The House is committed to supporting causes related to child welfare, cultural preservation, and education, ensuring its historic name is synonymous with active and purposeful public service.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 with its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors. Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has passed to notable figures who have shaped English history, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness, by marriage), the great Plantagenet commander Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and his son-in-law John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The rights and style of the 12th Baroness of Brattleby were formally recognised and recorded in *The London Gazette* under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby, under the current incumbency, was officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - The Barony was first documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, held by Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (d. 1230), Henry of Grosmont (d. 1361), and John of Gaunt (d. 1399).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com