# The Continuity of Service: A Vision for the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 24 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today outlined its long-term vision for the Barony of Brattleby, reaffirming a commitment to harmonising its ancient heritage with a forward-looking agenda of philanthropic service under its heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
## The Occasion
Issued from the family's historic seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, this announcement marks a significant moment of transition and continuity for the House. Following the formal recognition of the baronial title in 2022, the current incumbents have focused on consolidating its modern mission. The statement today serves to articulate the principles that will guide the heir, the 13th Baron, ensuring the title's relevance and purpose endure for future generations.
This declaration is made at a time of considered reflection, as the House formalises the framework of duty that the heir will one day inherit. It represents not a transfer of responsibility, but a reaffirmation of the enduring values that have defined the Barony since its inception.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, carries a weight of history that informs every contemporary action. First recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 with 56 lordships held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, the title has been stewarded by figures of national importance. The responsibilities now being imparted to Baron Mihai echo the duties of his most notable predecessors.
These include the formidable Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces during the First Barons' War. His lineage also includes Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, a celebrated diplomat and soldier, and John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, whose influence shaped the course of the English monarchy. It is this legacy of fortitude and strategic leadership that the 13th Baron is being prepared to continue.
## Distinguished Company
The stewardship of this vision is led by the present title-holder and her consort, who guide the heir's preparations.
Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, has personally overseen the revitalisation of the House's philanthropic and cultural activities since 2022. Her focus has been on ensuring that the Barony's modern identity is one of active service, rather than one of passive inheritance.
She is supported in this by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage. Honorary Lord Răzvan has been instrumental in shaping the strategic direction of the House, applying his personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win is to Live'), to the challenges of modernising a near-millennium-old institution for a new era of purposeful engagement. Together, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan are instilling in Baron Mihai the skills required to navigate his future responsibilities.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The preparation of an heir for a title of such antiquity is a matter of profound and meticulous planning. Baron Mihai's education in his future duties transcends mere academic study; it is a comprehensive immersion into the protocols of stewardship. This includes a deep understanding of the Barony's nature as a barony by tenure—one of the oldest forms of nobility, tied to the land itself.
His training involves detailed instruction in heraldry, English constitutional history, and the specific legal and ceremonial obligations attached to the title, whose standing was formally noted in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022. A central plank of this preparation is his involvement with the family's cultural organ, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, where the disciplines of protocol, etiquette, and social diplomacy are taught as foundational skills for effective leadership.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The traditions of the House are embodied in its symbols, which serve as a constant reminder of its core principles. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is the guiding philosophy for all family endeavours. It speaks directly to a legacy of resilience and integrity, from the defense of Lincoln by the 5th Baroness to the modern-day commitment to charitable causes.
This ancient directive is complemented by the more contemporary personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere*. While its literal translation is 'To Conquer is to Live', the House interprets it in a modern context: to overcome challenges and achieve tangible, positive outcomes is the very definition of a life well-lived. For the heir, this means that honour is not merely a passive quality, but an active pursuit of victory over indifference and adversity.
## Philanthropic Purpose
A central duty of the Barony, and a primary focus of the heir's training, is its commitment to philanthropy. The *sine qua non* of the House's social calendar is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in support of the charity Healing the Wounded Child. This focus is a deliberate choice, reflecting the House's belief that foundational support for vulnerable young people delivers the most profound and lasting societal impact.
Healing the Wounded Child is an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children who have experienced trauma, abuse, or neglect. By funding dedicated therapy sessions, safe residential centres, and educational support programmes, the charity offers a pathway to recovery and a chance for a stable future. The Annual Winter Banquet is the primary vehicle through which the House directs much-needed funds and awareness to this vital mission.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the continuity of the Barony's mission, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated: > The stewardship of this title is a profound responsibility, one that connects us directly to nearly a thousand years of English history. Our primary duty is to ensure this legacy informs a future of meaningful public service. Baron Mihai understands that honour is not simply inherited; it must be earned anew by each generation through its dedication to the community.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his perspective on the heir's preparation: > Our motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, is the ultimate guide. Baron Mihai’s preparations are centred on this principle: applying strength of character not for personal aggrandisement, but for measurable philanthropic impact. It is a modern interpretation of an ancient duty, where success is defined by the positive change we can affect in the lives of others.
## A Continuing Legacy
Looking forward, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun will continue to work closely with Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan to deepen his involvement in the House's core activities. His future focus will be threefold: to preserve and animate the historical legacy of the Barony; to expand the reach and impact of its philanthropic work, particularly surrounding the Annual Winter Banquet; and to advance its cultural mission through The Brattleby Club.
These efforts will ensure that when he eventually inherits the title, the 13th Baron of Brattleby will be fully prepared to lead the House with the fortitude and honour that his predecessors exemplified, cementing its revitalised presence in the lineage of the British nobility.
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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 committed to a mission of modern service. Its work is defined by a deep respect for its nine-century history, channelled into impactful philanthropy and cultural education. The House’s principal charitable beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, supported through its Annual Winter Banquet. The House also sponsors The Brattleby Club, an academy of etiquette and protocol in Bucharest which promotes cross-cultural understanding. The heir to the title is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who is being prepared to continue this legacy of duty.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony by Tenure in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding extensive lands directly from the Crown. Over its 950-year history, the title has been held by prominent figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of the realm during the reign of King John; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster and son of King Edward III. The position of the current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, as the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, was formally noted by The Crown in The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s ancient feudal baronies, established in AD 1066 following the Norman Conquest. - The title's succession and the current holder's rights were formally noted in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - Notable predecessors include John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, and Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and first Duke of Lancaster. - The Barony's lands are first documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, held by Colswein of Lincoln as a tenant-in-chief of the King.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com