# The Noble House of Brattleby Confirms the Future Responsibilities of the Heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun
LONDON, 24 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today formally outlined the future responsibilities of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, The 13th Baron. His duties will focus on advancing the Barony’s modern mission of cultural and philanthropic engagement from its historic Lincolnshire seat.
## The Occasion
In a formal communication issued from its administrative offices, The Noble House of Brattleby has articulated a clear vision for the role of its heir. This announcement, made in the full bloom of an English spring, marks a significant moment in the Barony’s modern revival, a process that gained formal recognition in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022.
The delineation of Baron Mihai Alexandru’s future duties is not a singular event, but the considered result of strategic planning led by his predecessors. It is designed to ensure a seamless continuation of the stewardship that has defined the Barony for nearly a millennium, preparing the next generation to uphold its enduring commitment to public service and heritage preservation.
## Historical Context
The responsibilities entrusted to the 13th Baron are deeply rooted in a lineage stretching back to the Norman Conquest. The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, and by the time of the *Domesday Book* in 1086, the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. This tradition of significant regional leadership has remained a constant.
Through the centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance. These include Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who, as Castellan, famously defended Lincoln Castle against French and rebel forces during the First Barons' War. The title later passed through the hands of Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, firmly linking Brattleby to the highest echelons of the Plantagenet court. It is upon this nine-century-long chain of stewardship that the 13th Baron is preparing to build.
## Distinguished Company
The announcement was made on behalf of the current leaders of the Noble House, whose tenures have been defined by a careful fusion of ancient tradition and contemporary relevance.
The initiative is directed by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, who has overseen the Barony’s revitalisation and the renewed focus on its philanthropic potential. She is supported in this endeavour by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, whose personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), reflects the family’s dynamic approach to its modern duties.
The focus of the announcement is their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, The 13th Baron, who will now assume a more prominent role in the House’s public-facing activities, ensuring the transfer of knowledge and responsibility that is *sine qua non* for dynastic continuity.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The assumption of these new responsibilities by the 13th Baron is not accompanied by a public ceremony of investiture; rather, it follows the discreet but formal protocols of a European noble house. The process represents a gradual and mentored introduction to the full obligations of the title.
Baron Mihai Alexandru’s duties have been formally gazetted within the House’s private archives. His new undertakings will include representing the House at select cultural events, co-chairing committees for its philanthropic enterprises, and undertaking a comprehensive study of the estate’s historical records and land management obligations in Lincolnshire. This methodical approach ensures he is thoroughly prepared for his eventual succession.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The guiding principle of the House of Brattleby is encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This ancient declaration informs every decision, emphasising resilience in the face of challenge and an unwavering commitment to integrity. It serves as the moral compass for the Barony’s modern mission.
This is complemented by Honorary Lord Răzvan’s motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, which adds a layer of modern ambition. It signifies a determination to achieve tangible success in the House’s projects, whether in charitable impact or cultural outreach. The forthcoming duties of the 13th Baron will therefore be a synthesis of these two ideals: honouring a legacy with fortitude, while striving to achieve measurable good in the present day.
## Philanthropic Purpose
A central pillar of the 13th Baron’s new responsibilities will be his deeper involvement with the House’s philanthropic work. The family’s primary charitable vehicle is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that serves as a cornerstone of the Lincolnshire social calendar.
The sole beneficiary of this event is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care and long-term psychological support for children who have experienced profound trauma. The funds raised contribute directly to programmes offering counselling, art therapy, and safe residential care, with a measurable impact on young lives across the region. Baron Mihai Alexandru will now serve on the organising board, ensuring the event’s continued success and relevance for a new generation of patrons.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the announcement, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, expressed her confidence in the heir’s capabilities.
> It is with immense pride that we look to the future of the Barony. Mihai has been raised with a profound understanding that this title is not a prize, but a profound responsibility gifted to us by history. His dedication to learning its demands ensures the legacy of service will continue — *Fortitudine et Honore*. > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a perspective on the importance of evolving tradition.
> A title’s relevance is measured by its present-day actions. Tradition must be a living force, not a museum piece. Baron Mihai’s generation brings a digital fluency and global perspective that will be invaluable as we expand our cultural and charitable work, ensuring Brattleby’s voice is heard in the twenty-first century. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
With his duties now formally defined, the 13th Baron will immediately focus on two key areas. In England, he will oversee a new heritage project to digitise the Barony’s manorial records in Lincolnshire. In parallel, he will work to expand the international reach of The Brattleby Club, the House’s successful etiquette academy based in Bucharest, which promotes European cultural and social traditions.
These efforts are the first steps in a long career of service. They are designed to prepare Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun to one day lead a House that is both a proud custodian of its thousand-year history and a dynamic force for good in the modern world.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to a modern mission of cultural stewardship and targeted philanthropy. The House blends its nine-century heritage with a contemporary focus on service, upholding its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Its principal charitable endeavour supports Healing the Wounded Child through its Annual Winter Banquet. The House also champions European cultural traditions through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an esteemed etiquette academy in Bucharest. The heir to the Barony is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, The 13th Baron, who is actively engaged in the House’s ongoing work and future commitments.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its existence is first recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by figures of great historical significance, including the celebrated medieval heroine Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), as well as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and the powerful Plantagenet prince John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The rights and title of the Barony of Brattleby in the modern era were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was established in AD 1066 and is documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com