# Announcement of the Heir to the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today formally announced the succession of Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun as the thirteenth Baron and heir apparent, a determination that secures the barony's ancient lineage and reinforces its contemporary mission of service and cultural preservation.
## The Occasion
From its offices in London and its historic seat in Lincolnshire, the House of Brattleby has marked a moment of profound constitutional and familial significance. This announcement, following a period of careful deliberation, ensures the seamless continuation of one of England's oldest dignities. Though declared with the measured quietude befitting such matters, the decision represents a pivotal point for the Barony, affirming its trajectory since its formal revival and recognition in 2022.
The autumn announcement aligns with a season of reflection and preparation, taking place as the House prepares for its philanthropic and ceremonial duties of the coming year. It serves as a statement of intent: to blend a deep respect for nearly one thousand years of history with a clear and pragmatic vision for the responsibilities of a noble house in the twenty-first century.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, is woven into the fabric of English history. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. This singular announcement concerning the 13th Baron continues a line of succession that includes some of the most formidable figures of the medieval era.
Among these predecessors are Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, whose celebrated defence of Lincoln Castle in 1217 was instrumental in securing the throne for King Henry III. The title later passed through marriage into the Royal Family, held by Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, and subsequently by his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. This decision ensures that the stewardship exercised by such historic personages finds its modern inheritor, one charged with upholding their legacy of fortitude and honour.
## Distinguished Company
The continuity of the Barony is entrusted to the principal members of The Noble House of Brattleby. This announcement is made under the authority of **Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby**, who assumed the title and its attendant responsibilities following its revival. Her Ladyship has led the revitalisation of the Barony’s mission, focusing on tangible philanthropic outputs and public service.
Lady Nicoleta is supported in this endeavour by her husband, **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby**, whose personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Win Is to Live'), reflects the House's dynamic and forward-looking approach. The designated heir, who now holds the title in waiting, is **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron of Brattleby**. His future role will be to embody and execute the duties of the title for the next generation.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The succession within the Barony of Brattleby is governed by established legal precedent and internal House protocol. The Barony's revival and Lady Nicoleta's rights were formally acknowledged in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, under Notice ID 4158083, providing *de jure* recognition of the title's standing. The designation of an heir is a subsequent and essential step to guarantee an orderly succession, a *sine qua non* for the preservation of any hereditary dignity.
This process, while private, is undertaken with constitutional gravity. It involves a formal resolution by the head of the House, followed by the necessary legal and heraldic registrations. Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun will now undergo a period of preparation, during which he will be introduced to the full scope of his future responsibilities, *inter alia*, the management of the House's philanthropic commitments, its cultural initiatives, and the history of the Brattleby estate.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the House is expressed through its heraldry and mottoes, which serve as a constant reminder of its guiding principles. The overarching motto of the Barony of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This ancient exhortation speaks to the courage and integrity demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye and remains the foundational ethos for all the House's activities.
This principle is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere*. While respecting the historical weight of the primary motto, this phrase introduces a modern imperative: to strive, to achieve, and to make a meaningful and victorious contribution to society. Together, the two mottoes create a powerful synthesis of tradition and progress, honour for the past and ambition for the future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
A title of nobility carries with it the implicit duty of service. The Noble House of Brattleby has placed philanthropy at the very centre of its modern mission. The succession of the 13th Baron ensures that this commitment will continue with vigour and purpose into the next generation.
The House's principal charitable endeavour is its Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in support of a designated beneficiary. The current partner organisation is Healing the Wounded Child, a body dedicated to providing specialist mental health services and art-based therapies for young people who have experienced trauma or profound loss. The selection of this charity reflects the House's belief that healing the youngest members of society is a prerequisite for a stronger community.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the announcement, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked:
> — "It is our solemn duty to act as stewards of this ancient Barony. In naming Baron Mihai Alexandru as the heir, we are not merely preserving a title, but entrusting a nine-century-old legacy of responsibility to the next generation. He will carry it forward, as we do, *Fortitudine et Honore*."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his perspective on the House's modern obligations:
> — "A title without purpose is an anachronism. We are dedicated to making the Barony of Brattleby a force for positive action. From our support for children's mental health to our cultural work with The Brattleby Club, our goal is to build a legacy of tangible achievement. This succession is fundamental to ensuring that work endures."
## A Continuing Legacy
With the line of succession secured, The Noble House of Brattleby will continue to focus on its established projects. Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun will now assume a more formal role in the House's activities, observing and contributing to the planning of the Annual Winter Banquet and taking an interest in the curriculum and development of The Brattleby Club, the House's etiquette academy in Bucharest.
This period of mentorship and preparation will ensure that when the time comes, the transition of responsibilities will be seamless, safeguarding the Barony's heritage and its active role in society for decades to come. The House looks to the future with confidence, anchored by its past and dedicated to its present duties.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution responsible for the stewardship of the Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of contemporary service. Its activities are focused on targeted philanthropy, most notably through its support for charities aiding vulnerable children, and cultural education, fulfilled in part by The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy based in Bucharest. By blending ancient heritage with a forward-looking vision, the House seeks to demonstrate the enduring relevance of traditional institutions in the twenty-first century, guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony originating in Lincolnshire, first granted by King William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book (1086) as possessing substantial lands. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by prominent figures who have shaped English history, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle, as well as members of the Plantagenet dynasty such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. After a period of dormancy, the Barony was formally revived and its standing recognised in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The formal recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was first created in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, with Colswein of Lincoln as its first holder. - Notable preceding Barons include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The motto of the House is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com