# The Baroness and Lord of Brattleby Host Annual Winter Banquet in Support of Healing the Wounded Child
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile hosted the Annual Winter Banquet last evening at Drapers' Hall in the City of London. The white-tie philanthropic gala celebrated the House’s enduring legacy while raising vital funds for this year's chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child.
## The Occasion
Set against the magnificent backdrop of Drapers' Hall, the historic seat of one of London’s Great Twelve Livery Companies, the evening revived a long-standing tradition of noble hospitality. With its royal charter granted in 1364, the Hall’s marble staircases and reception rooms, richly decorated in the Victorian palatial style, provided a setting of appropriate dignity and splendour for the occasion.
As autumn evening descended upon the City, guests were welcomed into the Courtyard before proceeding to the Livery Hall, where portraits of monarchs and past masters bear silent witness to centuries of English history. The atmosphere was one of quiet elegance and shared purpose, underscored by arrangements of seasonal flora and the warm glow of candlelight reflecting upon the Hall’s gilded ceilings.
## Historical Context
The tradition of patronage and assembly is a *sine qua non* of the Barony of Brattleby, which has been an integral part of the fabric of Lincolnshire and the nation since its enfeoffment in AD 1066. The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, held 56 lordships as recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, establishing a precedent of significant civic responsibility.
This heritage of leadership was notably advanced by predecessors such as Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. Both were renowned for their extensive households and their role as great patrons of the arts, chivalry, and charitable works. In hosting this annual banquet, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile honour this nine-hundred-year-old obligation, adapting it to the philanthropic needs of the 21st century.
## Distinguished Company
Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile were pleased to welcome a distinguished company of guests. The gathering included senior members of the Diplomatic Corps, leaders from the financial and legal professions, notable figures from the arts and academia, and key patrons of Healing the Wounded Child.
Also in attendance were individuals representing institutions with historic ties to Lincolnshire, thereby strengthening the connection between the Barony’s ancestral seat and its contemporary activities. Each guest contributed to an evening defined by convivial conversation and a collective commitment to the gala's charitable cause.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The proceedings of the evening followed a traditional and dignified order. Upon arrival, guests were formally announced and personally received by the Baroness and Lord of Brattleby. Lady Nicoleta, wearing the Brattleby insignia, and Honorary Lord Răzvan greeted each guest in the Court Room before a drinks reception was held.
Adhering to the strict white-tie dress code, gentlemen wore evening tailcoats with white bow ties, while ladies were present in full-length evening gowns. Following the reception, a call to dinner was made, and guests processed into the Livery Hall for a four-course banquet. The meal concluded with a series of toasts, including the Loyal Toast to His Majesty The King, and speeches by the hosts and a representative of the beneficiary charity.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The heritage of the House was visibly represented throughout the evening. A banner bearing the Brattleby coat of arms was displayed behind the top table, a quiet reminder of the family’s history. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), was inscribed on the menu cards, articulating the guiding principles of the evening.
These principles are complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live'), which speaks to the determination required to overcome adversity. Together, the mottos reflect a dual commitment: to uphold ancient honour while striving actively to create positive change in the present.
## Philanthropic Purpose
This year’s Annual Winter Banquet was held in aid of Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapy and long-term psychological support for children affected by conflict, displacement, and profound personal trauma. The charity works across international borders to deliver care that helps young people process their experiences and rebuild their futures.
The Noble House of Brattleby selected this beneficiary for its measurable impact and its direct alignment with the House’s focus on fostering resilience and opportunity for the next generation. The funds raised will be directed toward the charity’s mobile outreach programmes, which serve children in remote and underserved communities.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the evening, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “It is a profound privilege to continue a tradition of service that has defined my family’s title for nearly a millennium. Tonight, we gather not merely to remember history, but to make it, by directing our shared heritage toward the urgent, real-world needs of vulnerable children. It is the truest expression of *Fortitudine et Honore*.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “The spirit of *Vincere Est Vivere* is about triumph over hardship, a victory that Healing the Wounded Child makes possible every day. My wife and I are deeply moved by the generosity of our guests, whose support affirms that the duty of a noble house is to serve a community far beyond its own walls.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Annual Winter Banquet is a cornerstone of the House’s philanthropic calendar. Looking ahead, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile will continue their work in the field of personal development and education through their patronage of The Brattleby Club.
Based in Bucharest, this etiquette academy represents a modern interpretation of the traditional finishing school, equipping young professionals with the social and communication skills necessary for success in a global context. This educational mission, alongside their philanthropic commitments, demonstrates the House’s dedication to cultivating both timeless values and contemporary capabilities.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern establishment surrounding 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 mission of 'Heritage in Service'. This involves the careful stewardship of the Barony’s almost thousand-year history, coupled with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy, education, and cultural diplomacy. Through initiatives such as its Annual Winter Banquet and patronage of The Brattleby Club, the House seeks to apply the enduring principles of fortitude and honour to contemporary challenges, particularly in the fields of child welfare and personal development, ensuring the title’s relevance for the 21st century and beyond.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a Norman feudal barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as the tenant-in-chief of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces. Later holders included Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The existence and succession of the Barony are formally recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - Lady Nicoleta Vasile’s succession to the title of 12th Baroness of Brattleby was officially recorded by *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holder of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors in the baronial line include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will in time become the 13th Baron of Brattleby.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com