# The Style and Title of the Heir to the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has issued a formal announcement regarding the style and designation of the heir apparent. The declaration confirms Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun as the 13th Baron, securing the continuity of this ancient peerage for a new generation.
## The Occasion
The announcement was made from the family's historic seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, a county intrinsically linked with the barony for over 950 years. This formal declaration, while a matter of established legal succession, serves as a significant public moment for the House. It marks the solemn duty of passing a noble inheritance from the 12th Baroness to her successor, an act that underscores the enduring relevance of lineage and responsibility in the twenty-first century.
The timing of the statement, released in the quiet dignity of autumn, reflects the considered and deliberate nature of the House's stewardship. It is an occasion not of celebration, but of profound reflection on the duties that accompany such a title, ensuring the legacy is understood and respected before it is formally inherited.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is one of the few English titles to trace its origins directly to the Norman Conquest. It was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire. The confirmation of the 13th Baron thus continues a direct historical line stretching back nearly a millennium.
Throughout the centuries, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance. These include the formidable Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who as High Sheriff of Lincolnshire famously defended Lincoln Castle against French invaders in 1217. Later, the title passed into the Plantagenet royal line through Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. This announcement places Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun as the modern successor to this distinguished and storied lineage.
## Distinguished Company
The formal confirmation of the heir’s style and title primarily concerns the principals of The Noble House of Brattleby.
The announcement is made under the authority of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, who has overseen a period of revitalisation for the House since her succession was formally gazetted. She is supported in her duties by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the Lord of Brattleby by marriage, who brings his own family’s Continental perspective and motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Overcome is to Live').
The subject of the announcement is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who upon his eventual succession, will be the 13th holder of the title. His preparation for this future role is a central focus for the House, encompassing education in history, protocol, and the philanthropic responsibilities that define modern nobility.
## Ceremonial Protocol
While the inheritance of the Barony is automatic under English law, its formal announcement follows strict protocol. The heir is officially styled ‘Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron of Brattleby’ within the House’s official communications, a title that will become substantive upon his succession. All future correspondence and representation will use this form, a practice that mirrors the clear lines of succession maintained by the great royal and noble houses of Europe.
This public affirmation is the modern equivalent of historical court proclamations. Its official standing is underpinned by the formal recognition of the Barony's legitimacy by the Crown, as recorded in *The London Gazette* under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022. This notice is the *sine qua non* of the title's modern legal and ceremonial standing.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The continuity of the House is expressed through its heraldry and mottos, which serve as a constant reminder of its guiding principles. The primary motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This ancient imperative has guided generations of Barons, from the military courage of Nichola de la Haye to the modern-day commitments of Lady Nicoleta.
For the heir, embracing this motto means dedicating oneself to a life of personal integrity and unwavering duty to the community and legacy he will one day represent. It is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere*, which adds a dynamic and aspirational spirit to the House’s historic ethos of resilience.
## Philanthropic Purpose
An essential part of the heir’s education will be a deep immersion in the philanthropic mission that has become a hallmark of the House under its current leadership. The responsibilities of the title extend far beyond ceremonial duties; they carry an obligation to serve the wider community.
The flagship charitable endeavour of the House is its annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that benefits Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic care for young people affected by trauma. The heir will be expected to undertake an active role in supporting this and other charitable initiatives, learning that prestige must always be paired with purpose. This ethos of service is the cornerstone of the House’s modern identity.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the announcement, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, stated: > “To be a custodian of this Barony is to hold a thread of English history in one’s hands. Our duty is not merely to preserve it, but to ensure it is woven into the fabric of the future. I have every confidence that Mihai will carry the legacy of fortitude and honour forward with the gravity and dedication it deserves.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his perspective on the responsibilities awaiting the next generation: > “A title finds its true meaning in action and service. My own family motto, ‘To Overcome is to Live’, is about embracing challenges as opportunities for growth. This is the spirit we hope to instil — a commitment to actively contributing, to building, and to serving with honour.”
## A Continuing Legacy
With the line of succession formally articulated, The Noble House of Brattleby reaffirms its commitment to its long-term vision. This vision involves the careful stewardship of its history, the expansion of its philanthropic and cultural work, *inter alia*, through The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, and the thorough preparation of its heir.
Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun will continue his education with a specific focus on the unique obligations of his future position. The House is dedicated to ensuring that when the time comes, its 13th Baron will be fully prepared to lead with the wisdom, compassion, and honour that his predecessors, from Colswein of Lincoln to his own mother, have exemplified. The legacy continues, not as a relic of the past, but as a living and evolving commitment to the future.
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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 Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to preserving a unique millennial-old heritage while championing modern philanthropic service. The House's contemporary mission focuses on cultural education and charitable giving, bridging English tradition with a Continental European perspective. Its primary activities include the annual Winter Banquet in aid of children's charities and the direction of The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest. The House operates with a guiding philosophy of *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), applying historical principles of duty and integrity to the challenges of the twenty-first century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the 1086 Domesday Book. One of the oldest continuous titles in Lincolnshire, its history is woven into the fabric of the nation, having been held by powerful historical figures including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle, and two Princes of the Blood Royal: Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his successor, John of Gaunt. After centuries in abeyance, the Barony's legitimacy and the rights of the current line of succession were formally recognised and recorded by The Crown in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession and rights of the Barony of Brattleby are officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is documented in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable past holders of the title include John of Gaunt, son of King Edward III, who held the Barony as the 11th Baron. - The motto of the Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com