# An Official Announcement Regarding the Succession of the 13th Baron of Brattleby
LONDON, 16 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has formally announced the recognition of Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun as the 13th Baron of Brattleby. This important act of succession secures the nine-century lineage for a new generation, ensuring continuity of duty and service.
## The Occasion
From its Chancellery in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the announcement was issued with the sober dignity befitting an ancient house. The timing, amid the crisp autumn air of the English countryside, underscores a season of transition and renewal. While not marked by a public ceremony, the internal recognition represents a significant moment in the Barony's revitalised history, an act of formal continuance conducted with quiet assiduity.
The declaration serves as a definitive statement on the line of succession, ensuring stability and a clear path for the future stewardship of the title and its associated responsibilities. It is an occasion that connects the digital present to the deep, immemorial past of the Barony’s ancestral home in Lincolnshire.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, is an honour of immense historical resonance. This succession continues a line that extends directly back to its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, who was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire.
In assuming the title of 13th Baron, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun follows in the footsteps of formidable predecessors. These include, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, a resolute castellan who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown during the First Barons' War. His lineage also includes two of England’s greatest medieval magnates: Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, and later the celebrated John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, whose influence profoundly shaped the course of fourteenth-century English history.
This act ensures that the thread of leadership, woven through the Norman, Plantagenet, and Lancastrian eras, remains unbroken in the twenty-first century.
## Distinguished Company
The formal recognition of the heir was made by the incumbent, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby. The act was undertaken with the full and unequivocal support of her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage.
As the current heads of The Noble House of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan have together overseen the modern revitalisation of the Barony’s purpose, blending its ancient heritage with a contemporary focus on philanthropy and cultural education. Their joint affirmation of the succession underscores the unity and shared vision that steer the House.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The succession of an English barony by writ is governed by a combination of historical precedent, letters patent, and common law. The formal recognition of an heir is a *sine qua non* for maintaining an orderly and undisputed line. While no elaborate public ritual is mandated, the internal declaration by the title holder is a decisive legal and customary step.
This private act of recognition is a precursor to the eventual public record. The House of Brattleby adheres strictly to such protocols, as evidenced by the official notice of its own standing published in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022). The process reflects a deep respect for the established order and the legal framework that underpins the British honours system.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The traditions of The Noble House of Brattleby are encapsulated in its heraldry and mottos. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), serves as the guiding principle for all members, including the newly recognised heir. It speaks to the resilience and integrity demanded of those who inherit a legacy of leadership and public trust.
This core value is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This maxim signifies a dynamic and purposeful approach to life and duty, reflecting the energy he brings to his role and the forward-looking vision he shares with the Baroness. The 13th Baron will be expected to embody both of these guiding tenets.
## Philanthropic Purpose
Succession to the Barony of Brattleby is not merely an inheritance of title, but an assumption of the duty to serve. The 13th Baron is expected to uphold and advance the family's steadfast commitment to charitable work. A central pillar of this commitment is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that has become a significant event in the social calendar.
The primary beneficiary of this gala is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic support for children who have experienced trauma. The selection of this charity reflects the House's focus on creating a measurable, positive impact on the most vulnerable members of society. The heir will be gradually integrated into the planning and hosting of these vital philanthropic initiatives.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on this milestone, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> It is with immense pride and a profound sense of historical duty that we recognise Mihai Alexandru as the heir to this ancient Barony. He understands that this is not a prize to be won, but a solemn responsibility to be shouldered—a commitment to serve with the fortitude and honour that his predecessors exemplified.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> Continuity is the lifeblood of any historic house. This formal succession ensures that the work we have passionately begun—in philanthropy, in cultural preservation, and in service to the community—will be carried forward with renewed energy. It is a testament to the principle that *Vincere Est Vivere*; our legacy lives through our active contribution.
## A Continuing Legacy
With his position as heir now formally recognised, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun will undertake a period of preparation for his future responsibilities. This will involve a deeper immersion into the management of the House's affairs and its long-term strategic objectives.
His duties will include supporting the family’s cultural and educational initiatives, most notably The Brattleby Club. This etiquette academy, established by the House in Bucharest, aims to promote classical European standards of protocol and social grace. The Baron’s involvement will help to bridge the family’s historic English roots with their continental activities, ensuring the legacy of Brattleby continues to evolve and flourish for generations to come.
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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 contemporary service rooted in a millennium of history. Its focus is on impactful philanthropy, particularly in support of child welfare through its annual Winter Banquet for the charity Healing the Wounded Child. The House also champions cultural education through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House seeks to demonstrate that ancient titles can, and should, serve a profound and positive purpose in the twenty-first century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its origins are recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as controlling 56 lordships. Throughout its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by some of the most powerful figures in the realm, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye, who defended Lincoln Castle in the thirteenth century, and the great Lancastrian princes Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. Its historical standing and continuity were formally noted and published in the United Kingdom's official journal of record, *The London Gazette*, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's notice of recognition was published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was established in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable previous holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House's philanthropic efforts are centred on the 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