# The Heir to the Barony of Brattleby to Assume Greater Responsibilities in Service of its Legacy
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today outlined the future role of Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the heir to the Barony. His duties will focus on advancing the House’s philanthropic and cultural programmes, ensuring a continuity of service for the next generation.
## The Occasion
The announcement was formally issued from the family’s seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, a place of profound historical significance to the Barony for over nine centuries. As autumn settles over the Lincolnshire countryside, a season traditionally associated with harvest and preparation, the House has chosen this moment to formalise a generational transition of duties. This gentle transfer of responsibilities marks not an ending, but a deliberate and thoughtful continuation of the work undertaken by the current Baroness.
The decision reflects a period of careful planning and mentorship, ensuring that the heir is fully prepared to uphold the standards of stewardship that have defined the Barony since its inception. It is a testament to the House's forward-looking perspective, blending a deep respect for tradition with a clear vision for its contemporary relevance and purpose.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, stands as one of the oldest dignities in England. Its history, first recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 with 56 lordships held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, is woven into the fabric of the nation. The duties of Baron Mihai will be understood in the context of this remarkable lineage.
While his predecessors included formidable figures such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown, and the great Lancastrian princes Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt, the modern role has evolved from military command to civic service. The responsibilities now being formally passed to the 13th Baron are those of guardianship—preserving a unique heritage while directing its influence toward charitable and educational endeavours.
## Distinguished Company
This period of transition is being overseen by the leadership of the House:
* **Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby**, who acceded to the ancient title in her own right and whose leadership has guided its modern revival since receiving formal recognition in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022. * **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby**, consort to the Baroness, whose professional and cultural expertise has been instrumental in shaping the House’s international philanthropic and educational initiatives. * **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron of Brattleby**, the heir, who has been preparing for this role through dedicated study of the Barony’s history and active participation in its current projects.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The assumption of greater duties by an heir does not follow a single public ceremony, but rather a sustained and private protocol of mentorship. This process is a *sine qua non* for the effective stewardship of such a legacy. Under the guidance of Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan, Baron Mihai will now take direct responsibility for key areas of the House’s operations.
His duties will include chairing the organising committee for the Annual Winter Banquet, serving as the principal liaison with the House’s charitable partners, and directing the expansion of The Brattleby Club. This gradual delegation, a tradition in noble and royal houses, ensures that leadership is transferred with wisdom and experience, rather than by sudden decree. It is a practical apprenticeship in the art of service.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The transition is imbued with the symbolism of the House’s heraldic identity. The family motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), serves as the guiding principle for this new chapter. ‘Fortitude’ is required to safeguard a legacy of nearly one thousand years, while ‘Honour’ dictates that its influence must be used for the public good.
These values are complemented by Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In its modern interpretation, this speaks not to martial conquest but to overcoming societal challenges through determination and purposeful action. Baron Mihai’s new responsibilities are a direct embodiment of these complementary ethics—applying fortitude and honour to achieve meaningful victories in the philanthropic sphere.
## Philanthropic Purpose
At the heart of Baron Mihai's expanded role is a deepened commitment to the House’s philanthropic mission. The primary beneficiary of these efforts is the charity Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist mental health care and therapeutic support to children who have experienced trauma and adversity.
The Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala, serves as the primary fundraising event for this cause, having raised significant sums for the charity's frontline services. As the new chair of the event, Baron Mihai will be tasked with building on this success. The choice of beneficiary reflects the House’s belief that its most important duty is to protect and nurture the potential of the next generation.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this development, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > It is with immense pride that we see Mihai embrace the responsibilities that come with his position. He understands that this ancient title finds its modern purpose not in privilege, but in service. His perspective will be vital as we continue our work.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > Mihai has been prepared for this role through a deep appreciation for both the Barony's English heritage and its Continental connections. His leadership of initiatives, *inter alia*, like The Brattleby Club demonstrates his commitment to our ethos: *Vincere Est Vivere*—to conquer challenges and live a life of purpose.
## A Continuing Legacy
Looking ahead, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun will immediately assume his new responsibilities, with his first major undertaking being the planning and execution of this year’s Annual Winter Banquet. Furthermore, he will oversee the development of a new curriculum for The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House’s etiquette academy, with a focus on teaching the principles of modern civic leadership and philanthropy.
This structured delegation ensures that the Noble House of Brattleby not only honours its storied past but also actively invests in a future defined by meaningful public service. It is a reaffirmation of the House’s commitment to making a positive and lasting contribution to society, both in the United Kingdom and abroad.
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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 her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of cultural preservation and modern philanthropy. It channels the influence of its near-millennial heritage towards supporting charitable causes, with a particular focus on child welfare and mental health. The House also promotes cultural education through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and leadership academy based in Bucharest. Its guiding motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), underscores a commitment to dutiful service and responsible stewardship of one of England’s most historic dignities.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, created following the Norman Conquest. It was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower Colswein of Lincoln. The Barony’s extensive holdings were first documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. Throughout its 950-year history, the title has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye and two Princes of the Blood Royal, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The succession of the title to the current holder was formally recognised by The Crown and recorded in *The London Gazette* 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 created in AD 1066 for Colswein of Lincoln, a tenant-in-chief of William the Conqueror. - Its holdings are detailed in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, where it is recorded as comprising 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable past holders of the Barony 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).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com