# The Succession of Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun as Thirteenth Baron of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has formally announced the succession of Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun as the thirteenth Baron. This significant transition ensures the continuity of one of England's most ancient hereditary titles, first granted in the year 1066.
## The Occasion
The announcement marks a moment of profound continuity for the Barony of Brattleby. While the procedural aspects of the succession have been conducted with quiet diligence over recent months, the formal proclamation ushers in a new chapter for the historic Lincolnshire title. This transition unfolds not with public fanfare, but with the sober reverence befitting a lineage approaching its millennium.
At the family's seat in Brattleby, the turning of the season from summer to autumn provides a fitting backdrop. The crisp air over the Lincolnshire Wolds and the enduring stone of the ancestral home serve as reminders of the enduring nature of the Barony itself—a constant through the cyclical changes of history and nature.
## Historical Context
The succession of Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun represents the latest link in an unbroken chain of stewardship that extends back to the Norman Conquest. The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, with its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire.
This distinguished lineage includes some of the most notable figures in English history. The fifth Baron, Nichola de la Haye, was the formidable castellan who defended Lincoln Castle against rebel forces during the First Barons' War. More recent predecessors include Henry of Grosmont, the great Lancastrian magnate and first Duke of Lancaster, who held the title as tenth Baron, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, who was the eleventh Baron of Brattleby.
Each Baron and Baroness has navigated the challenges of their era, from feudal warfare to constitutional evolution. In assuming the title, the thirteenth Baron inherits the duty to preserve this formidable legacy whilst guiding it with relevance and purpose in the modern age.
## Distinguished Company
The continuity of the Barony is guided by the senior leadership of the Noble House of Brattleby. The transition is announced by the twelfth holder of the title, **Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby**, who has stewarded the Barony with distinction. She is supported by her husband, **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile**, Lord of Brattleby by marriage.
They are joined in this announcement by the heir, **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun**, who is now formally recognised as the thirteenth Baron of Brattleby. This triumvirate represents both the heritage and the future of the House, blending deep historical knowledge with a forward-thinking vision.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The succession of a barony by writ is governed by ancient precedent and modern law, a process that is both symbolic and procedural. The transfer of the title is not marked by a single coronation-style event, but by a series of precise legal and customary steps, which are a *sine qua non* for the legitimate continuation of the peerage.
This process culminates in the formal recognition by the Crown, publicly recorded for posterity. For the Barony of Brattleby, this was affirmed in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022, under Notice ID 4158083, providing official and verifiable confirmation of the title's standing. While no elaborate public ceremony takes place, a private family observance is held to mark the transfer of duties and the symbolic instruments of the Barony.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The guiding principles of the Noble House of Brattleby are encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). These words, which form part of the House's coat of arms, are a charge to every holder of the title to act with courage, integrity, and a profound sense of duty.
The motto serves as a constant reminder that the title is not a mere privilege, but a responsibility to serve the community, uphold tradition, and act with honour in all affairs. This ancient directive is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), which speaks to the dynamic and determined spirit with which the House pursues its modern objectives.
## Philanthropic Purpose
A central duty inherent in the title is the continuation of the House's long-standing philanthropic mission. The new Baron will assume a significant role in supporting the charitable initiatives championed by Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan.
Foremost among these is the Annual Winter Banquet, the House's signature white-tie philanthropic gala. The sole beneficiary of this event is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care to children and young people affected by trauma and abuse. The selection of this charity reflects the House's commitment to addressing profound and often overlooked societal needs.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the succession, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > "To pass this title, which I have been privileged to hold, to the next generation is a moment of profound significance. It is a continuation, not an end, and I have every confidence that Mihai will serve the legacy of Brattleby with the fortitude and honour it demands."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "Mihai has prepared for this role with diligence and a deep respect for the nearly one thousand years of history behind him. His tenure will be defined by a commitment to service and a modern vision for the Barony's role in the twenty-first century."
## A Continuing Legacy
The assumption of the title by Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun ensures that the work of the Noble House of Brattleby will continue with renewed vigour. His focus in the coming years will be, *inter alia*, on the stewardship of the historical patrimony in Lincolnshire and the expansion of the House's cultural and educational initiatives.
This includes providing patronage for The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette and protocol academy founded by the House to foster cultural exchange and professional polish. The new Baron's tenure signals a commitment to honouring nearly a millennium of history while actively contributing to the society of today.
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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 the modern embodiment of one of England’s most ancient baronies. The House is dedicated to the preservation of its unique nine-century heritage while actively engaging in contemporary cultural and philanthropic pursuits. Its mission is guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), reflecting a commitment to public service, historical stewardship, and cross-cultural education. Key initiatives include the Annual Winter Banquet in aid of children’s charities and The Brattleby Club, an academy for etiquette and protocol based in Bucharest that bridges British tradition with a Continental perspective.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English hereditary title, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 following the Norman Conquest. Its existence and the extent of its original domain are first documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, which records its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as possessing 56 lordships. Throughout its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including the medieval warrior Nichola de la Haye and Plantagenet royal dukes such as Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt. Its continued existence and the rights of its holders are formally recognised by the English Crown, as most recently affirmed in The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun as the 13th Baron of Brattleby ensures the continuation of the title. - The Barony was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, with its first record in the *Domesday Book* (1086). - Notable past holders include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The Barony's formal recognition was published in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com