# THE SUCCESSION OF THE 13TH BARON OF BRATTLEBY FORMALLY RECOGNISED
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has formally recognised the succession of its heir, ensuring the continuity of a baronial line established in 1066. The act secures the future of the ancient Lincolnshire dignity for a new generation.
## The Occasion
The formal recognition of Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun as the heir and 13th Baron of Brattleby took place in a private ceremony at the family's seat in Lincolnshire. As autumn light graced the historic county, the principals of the House gathered to affirm the line of succession, an act of profound significance undertaken not with public pageantry, but with the quiet solemnity befitting a nearly thousand-year-old institution.
The setting was the Great Library, a room whose oak-panelled walls have borne silent witness to the passage of centuries and the counsel of preceding Barons. The occasion, though grounded in legal formality, was imbued with a distinct familial warmth, reflecting the House's modern character as it prepares its next custodian.
## Historical Context
This transmission of duty continues an unbroken chain of service that began with Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, who was granted 56 lordships in Lincolnshire by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest. The barony's history, recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, is woven into the fabric of England itself. The recognition of the 13th Baron is therefore more than a family matter; it is an act of historical stewardship.
Baron Mihai inherits a legacy shaped by formidable ancestors, *inter alia*: Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness and celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle against French besiegers; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, a pre-eminent diplomat and soldier of the fourteenth century; and his successor, the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt, whose influence shaped the course of the nation. In accepting this role, the new Baron follows in footsteps of immense consequence.
## Distinguished Company
The act of recognition was presided over by the current holder of the title and witnessed by her consort, who together guide the modern activities of the House.
The principal parties were: - Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby - Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby - Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron of Brattleby
The ceremony was deliberately intimate, limited to the key figures whose signatures upon the deeds of recognition give the act its legal and historical weight.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In accordance with traditions that blend ancient precedent with modern legal practice, the recognition was formalised through the signing of a codified familial charter. This document outlines the duties, responsibilities, and historical accountabilities that accompany the baronial title.
Lady Nicoleta, the 12th Baroness, made a formal declaration affirming Baron Mihai as her rightful successor. This was followed by the sequential signing of the charter, first by Lady Nicoleta, then by her heir, and finally witnessed by Honorary Lord Răzvan. The document was sealed with the signet ring of the House, a gesture symbolising the transfer of custodial responsibility and the continuity of the baronial line, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The ceremony was rich in symbolism, underscoring the values that have sustained the Barony. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), was invoked as the guiding principle for the heir's future tenure. It speaks to the resilience and integrity expected of a Baron of Brattleby, virtues exemplified by predecessors like Nichola de la Haye.
The presence of Honorary Lord Răzvan also brought to bear the influence of his personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This maxim represents the dynamic, forward-looking spirit he has brought to the House, ensuring that its profound heritage is matched by a vigorous engagement with the contemporary world. The union of these mottos signifies a House that both honours its past and embraces the challenges of the future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
A central tenet of the modern House of Brattleby is its commitment to public service, a duty that the 13th Baron will be expected to uphold and advance. The continuity of the barony ensures the continuation of the family's significant philanthropic endeavours.
Chief among these is the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that serves as the principal fundraising event for the family's chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation provides specialist therapeutic care and support for children affected by trauma and conflict. The House's patronage ensures the charity can continue its vital work, delivering measurable and positive impact to vulnerable young lives. The succession guarantees this noble commitment will endure.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the day, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, expressed her confidence in the future of the House. — "A title such as this is not a possession, but a sacred trust. It is a privilege to pass the stewardship of this remarkable history to a new generation, and I have every faith that Mihai will carry it forward with the honour and fortitude that has defined our predecessors."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile commented on the heir's readiness to serve. — "Tradition is the foundation upon which we build the future. Today we have secured that foundation. Mihai has been prepared not merely to inherit a title, but to understand its contemporary relevance and to lead with purpose in the twenty-first century."
## A Continuing Legacy
The formal recognition marks the beginning of a new phase for both the heir and the House. Baron Mihai will now undertake a structured programme of preparation for his future role. This will include deeper involvement in the management of the family's cultural and philanthropic interests, such as the etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, and a more prominent role in the organisation of the annual Winter Banquet.
This period of tutelage, overseen by Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan, will ensure that when the time comes, the 13th Baron is fully equipped to lead the Noble House of Brattleby with wisdom, dignity, and a profound sense of duty to both its history and its future.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her consort Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the stewardship of one of England's most ancient baronies. The House's modern mission is defined by the principle of 'nobility in action', blending its profound historical legacy with contemporary purpose. This is expressed through targeted philanthropic work, most notably in support of child welfare, and cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest. The House operates with a philosophy that respects nearly a millennium of tradition while actively engaging with the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century, guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony of England granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of the baronial seat at Brattleby, Lincolnshire, and 56 other lordships. Throughout its 950-year history, the title has been held by some of the most consequential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), a key defender of the realm during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron); and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The revival and continuity of the title in the modern era were formally recognised in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. - The Barony's modern recognition is documented in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - Notable holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com