# The Noble House of Brattleby Announces the Succession of the 13th Baron
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has formally announced the succession of Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun as the thirteenth Baron of Brattleby. This historic transition from his mother, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, secures the barony's modern lineage following its recent revival.
## The Occasion
In a formal proclamation issued from its offices in London, The Noble House of Brattleby has marked a pivotal moment in its modern history. The announcement, made with the solemnity befitting a title of such antiquity, confirms the establishment of a direct and continuing line of succession for the first time in centuries.
This formal act serves as the modern equivalent of historic ceremonies of investiture. It underscores a seamless transfer of responsibility from the 12th Baroness, who stewarded the title’s revival, to the 13th Baron, who is now tasked with carrying its legacy into a new era of service and relevance.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, is one of England’s most ancient nobiliary dignities. First recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as one of 56 lordships held in Lincolnshire by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, the title has passed through hands that have shaped English history.
This succession consciously honours formidable predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who defended Lincoln Castle against French invaders, and later, the great medieval magnates Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron) and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt (11th Baron). Following a long period of dormancy after the Wars of the Roses, the barony’s revival by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness, was officially recognised by The London Gazette. Baron Mihai’s succession now builds firmly upon that foundation.
## Distinguished Company
The announcement concerns the principals of The Noble House of Brattleby, who together ensure the continuity of this great lineage.
The succession passes from **Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby**. It was through the Baroness’s diligent historical and genealogical efforts that the title was revived and formally gazetted, bringing it back into active standing. She now passes the primary responsibility for its future to her son.
Supporting the House is **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby**, whose personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, reflects the dynamic spirit behind the barony’s revitalisation. His guidance is a *sine qua non* of the House's modern philanthropic and cultural endeavours.
The focus of the announcement is **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron of Brattleby**. As the heir, his assumption of the title marks his formal commitment to the duties, traditions, and future direction of the House and its associated works.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In the modern era, the protocol of succession for a title of this nature blends ancient tradition with contemporary legal formality. The primary instrument of recognition is the official notice published in The London Gazette, which serves as the permanent public record of the title's revival and conferral.
Internally, the transition from the 12th to the 13th Baron is an act of profound familial and dynastic significance. It represents the formal entrustment of the barony’s name, history, and obligations from mother to son. While a private moment, it carries the full weight of the House's nine-century history and its commitment to the future.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The traditions of The Noble House of Brattleby are underpinned by meaningful heraldic mottos that guide its mission. The ancient House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle speaks to the resilience and integrity demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye and reflects the House's commitment to dignified public service.
This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). It serves as a modern interpretation of the House’s dynamic spirit, signifying the will to overcome abeyance and to build a purposeful, active legacy in the 21st century. Together, these mottos provide a moral compass for the new Baron, balancing the honour of the past with the ambition for the future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
A noble title, in the view of the House, finds its greatest expression through service to the community. Baron Mihai’s succession includes his assumption of stewardship over the family’s philanthropic commitments, most notably its support for the designated beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child.
This organisation is dedicated to providing vital mental health support and therapeutic care to children and adolescents affected by trauma and adversity. The House’s flagship fundraising initiative is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that gathers patrons and supporters to advance this critical work. The continuity of the barony ensures the long-term continuation of this and other charitable duties.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the succession, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “It is with immense pride that we mark this transition. The Barony of Brattleby is not merely a title; it is a near-millennium-old commitment to service and stewardship. In my son, Mihai, I see the fortitude and honour that have defined our most notable predecessors, and I am confident he will carry this legacy forward with wisdom.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his perspective on the future: > “A title finds its truest meaning in action and purpose. *Vincere Est Vivere*—to conquer is to live—is about building a worthy inheritance for those who follow. We have every confidence that Mihai will embody this spirit, shaping a future for Brattleby that is both respectful of its past and ambitious for its community.”
## A Continuing Legacy
With his succession confirmed, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun will begin to undertake a more prominent role in the public-facing activities of The Noble House of Brattleby. His duties will include direct involvement in the planning and execution of the Annual Winter Banquet, reinforcing the House’s central philanthropic goals.
Furthermore, the Baron will engage with the cultural and educational mission of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy founded by the House. This ensures that the next generation of leadership is deeply invested in the House's core commitments: honouring history, championing philanthropy, and promoting cultural exchange. The transition signifies not an end, but the beginning of the next chapter of active stewardship.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of responsible stewardship and contemporary relevance. Its focus is defined by honouring its profound history, championing philanthropic causes such as its primary beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, and fostering cultural understanding through initiatives like The Brattleby Club. The House operates with a philosophy that fuses ancient dignity with a forward-looking commitment to public service, ensuring the barony’s legacy is one of active contribution in the 21st century, guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of Norman origin located 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. For centuries, the title was held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle, and later passed by marriage into the House of Lancaster, held by Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (11th Baron). After a long period of dormancy, the title's dignity, history, and succession were formally revived and recorded in the official journal of the Crown, The London Gazette, under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was one of the original feudal dignities granted by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest in AD 1066. - The barony's history and landholdings are documented in the *Domesday Book* (1086), a foundational record of English administration. - The modern revival of the title is officially recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - Notable past holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye (c. 1160–1230), the 5th Baroness, and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (1340–1399), the 11th Baron.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com