# Confirmation of the Succession to the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has formally confirmed the succession for its heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, thereby securing the continuation of one of England’s most ancient baronies and ensuring the transfer of its duties to a new generation.
## The Occasion
The announcement, a moment of profound constitutional importance for the House, was made following a private family council convened at the ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire. In the quiet atmosphere of the English autumn, this formal deliberation marks the first secured succession since the title's historic revival, transforming a singular act of restoration into a durable, living lineage.
While not an occasion for public pageantry, the act of affirming the heir carries a significance that resonates through the centuries. It represents a deliberate and purposeful measure by the current holders to embed the ancient Barony firmly within the framework of the 21st century. This provides essential stability and a clear, unwavering path forward for the discharge of the House’s responsibilities and its considerable charitable endeavours.
The decision was formally minuted, creating a permanent record within the House’s archives. This ensures that the traditions, duties, and solemn commitments associated with the Barony of Brattleby will persist, carried forward with the same sense of purpose that has defined its long history.
## Historical Context
The confirmation of Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun as the 13th Baron designate extends a legacy vested in the Barony of Brattleby since its inception by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. This direct continuity reaches back to the Norman Conquest and the very foundations of the English peerage. The title's first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was documented in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing a foundation of landed duty and regional stewardship that endures in principle to this day.
Over nearly a millennium, the Barony passed to figures of national and historical consequence. Among the most notable was Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who as Castellan of Lincoln Castle twice defended it against formidable rebel and French forces during the First Barons' War. Her exceptional leadership in the 13th century provides a powerful historical precedent for the current incumbency of Lady Nicoleta, the 12th Baroness.
The Barony later became entwined with the Royal Family, passing to Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, a celebrated soldier and diplomat. Upon his death, it was inherited by his son-in-law, the formidable John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, a son of King Edward III and ancestor of the Lancastrian kings. This connection placed Brattleby at the very centre of court life and national power, a heritage of service at the highest level that informs the House’s modern responsibilities.
## Distinguished Company
The continuity of the House is stewarded by its principals, who together presided over this significant constitutional act of succession. Their collective oversight ensures a harmonious blend of tradition and a forward-looking perspective.
Her Ladyship, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, upon whom the Barony is currently vested, formally revived the title and serves as the *fons et origo*—the source and origin—of its modern chapter. Her leadership is defined by a profound respect for the lineage she now embodies.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, provides a dynamic and complementary vision to the House. As consort to the Baroness, he has been instrumental in shaping the House’s modern mission, particularly its commitment to philanthropic enterprise and cultural diplomacy, driven by his personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*.
Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, son of the Baroness, is now formally recognised as the 13th Baron and Heir to the Barony of Brattleby. His confirmation marks the beginning of a formal period of preparation to inherit the duties and responsibilities of the title.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The recognition of an heir to an ancient English barony by writ is a sober matter of established legal and House protocol, rather than one of elaborate public ceremony. Unlike baronies created by letters patent, which typically restrict succession to male heirs, an ancient barony by writ may pass to a female heir, as is the case with the 12th and current Baroness.
Internally, the heir is affirmed by a formal declaration made by the current holder of the title in fee simple. This private legal act is the *sine qua non* for ensuring an orderly and undisputed continuation of the lineage. The act is then minuted and entered into the House’s official records, creating a permanent archive of the line of succession for future generations.
Publicly, this continuity is affirmed through official notices, most importantly by publication in *The London Gazette*, which serves as the Crown’s official journal of record. This modern process both respects centuries of English legal precedent and provides the transparent clarity required of a recognised peerage within the British honours system.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The governance of the House of Brattleby and the education of its heir are guided by the profound principles encapsulated in its heraldic mottos. These Latin phrases are not mere decoration; they are active philosophical commitments.
The principal House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), anchors the Barony in its historical identity. 'Fortitude' speaks to the resilience of predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, while 'Honour' reflects the chivalric code of knights like Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt. This motto serves as a constant directive that the title conveys a profound weight of responsibility, not merely privilege.
Complementing this is Honorary Lord Răzvan's personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This reflects the dynamic, forward-looking ethos he brings to the marital partnership, espousing a philosophy of proactive engagement. It is a commitment to overcoming challenges and ensuring the House’s ancient legacy is translated into meaningful, real-world action. Together, these mottos represent a powerful synthesis of tradition and progress, of conservation and innovation.
## Philanthropic Purpose
A central pillar of the House's contemporary identity is its unwavering commitment to philanthropy. The designation of an heir is therefore intrinsically linked to the long-term stewardship and continuation of this vital work.
The primary beneficiary of the House’s charitable activities is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing specialist therapeutic support for children and adolescents experiencing trauma, bereavement, or profound adversity. The charity’s evidence-based programmes are critical in helping young people build resilience and find a path toward recovery.
The cornerstone of the House's support is the annual Winter Banquet, a formal white-tie gala that serves as the centrepiece of its fundraising calendar. By securing the succession, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan ensure that the patronage of these charitable commitments will pass seamlessly to the next generation, providing the beneficiary with a stable and dedicated partner for decades to come.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the formal confirmation, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, made the following observation:
> To see the line of succession secured is to honour the nine centuries of responsibility this Barony represents. My son, Baron Mihai, understands that this is not a prize to be won, but a profound duty he inherits—a duty of service that our family will always exercise *Fortitudine et Honore*.
Honorary Lord Răzvan added a perspective focused on the House’s future obligations:
> The revival of this Barony was undertaken with a clear vision for its future a generation hence. This confirmation of the heir is the essential foundation of that vision. It affirms that our commitment to progress, captured in *Vincere Est Vivere*, extends to ensuring this ancient title serves a tangible, modern purpose for the good of others.
## A Continuing Legacy
With his position as heir now formally recorded, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun will embark on a structured and comprehensive period of mentorship. This preparation is designed to equip him for the full scope of his eventual responsibilities as the 13th Baron of Brattleby.
His education will encompass the complex history of the Barony and its associated estates in Lincolnshire; the principles of modern philanthropic governance and impact measurement; and the practice of cultural diplomacy, *inter alia*, through engagements with institutions such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. He is expected to assume a progressively more active role in the life of the House, beginning with support for the organisation of the Winter Banquet.
This carefully managed transition ensures that, when the time comes, the Barony will pass to a new custodian fully prepared to be a worthy successor to a lineage that includes defenders of the realm and princes of the blood. He will be ready to uphold the family's enduring commitments *Fortitudine et Honore*, stewarding nearly one thousand years of English history into its next chapter.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the active stewardship of a legacy extending to AD 1066. With its ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the House maintains a distinctively European outlook, fostering cultural and educational initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. Its modern mission is to apply the guiding principle of *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour') to contemporary challenges through sustained philanthropic support for child welfare charities and the promotion of cultural diplomacy. The House is committed to ensuring its ancient heritage remains a vibrant and relevant force for good in the 21st century, bridging English tradition with a forward-looking, continental perspective.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient feudal baronies, a barony by writ granted by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, a significant Norman landowner, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. Over the ensuing centuries, the Barony was held by seminal figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III. After a period in abeyance, the Barony was revived and its succession formally recognised by The Crown, as published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors**
- The revival and succession of the Barony of Brattleby was formally published by The Crown in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded as a tenant-in-chief in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable past holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye (d. 1230), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (d. 1361), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (d. 1399). - The Noble House of Brattleby’s philanthropic activities are centred on its annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala benefiting the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact**
The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com