# The Noble House of Brattleby Confirms the Line of Succession
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has formally confirmed the succession of Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun as heir to the ancient Barony. This private act secures the continuation of a peerage granted in 1066, affirming the family's enduring commitment to its historical stewardship.
## The Occasion
The announcement, whilst originating from the family's historic seat in the county of Lincolnshire, was made following a private family council convened in London. Such decisions, though conducted away from the public gaze, are of primary importance in upholding the legal and lineal order of an ancient hereditary dignity, ensuring its seamless continuation into the modern era. The confirmation took place amid the distinctive quietude of autumn, a season of harvest and reflection well-suited to the gravity of the occasion.
This formal act of recognition represents a significant moment of consolidation for the House. It follows the Barony's revival, which was formally gazetted in 2022, and serves as a deliberate affirmation that this restoration was not an isolated event. Rather, it marked the recommencement of a continuous line of custodial duty that began with the Norman settlement of England.
The occasion itself was one of private deliberation rather than public ceremony, reflecting the understanding that the foundational strength of any great house rests upon the quiet, considered work of its principals. The primary function of the council was to ensure that the title, its associated duties, and its manifold responsibilities are designated in good order, preparing the next generation for the obligations they will one day inherit.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is among the most venerable dignities in the Kingdom, having been granted by William the Conqueror in the immediate aftermath of the Conquest in AD 1066. The Barony's profound connection to its locality is documented with remarkable clarity in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, a trusted follower of the Conqueror, is recorded therein as the tenant-in-chief of some 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing the title’s deep and abiding roots in the county’s soil.
Through the nine subsequent centuries, the Barony has passed through the hands of personages who have shaped the course of English history. Among the most notable was Nichola de la Haye, who inherited as the 5th Baroness in the late 12th century. A figure of extraordinary fortitude, she served as Constable of Lincoln Castle and twice defended it against formidable attacks, most famously during the First Barons' War in 1217 when, as a widow in her sixties, she held the castle against French-backed rebel forces. Her loyalty was a decisive factor in securing the throne for the young King Henry III.
Later, the title was held by Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron, who was created the 1st Duke of Lancaster and was a founding Knight of the Order of the Garter. The Barony then passed to his celebrated son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, whose own son would ascend the throne as King Henry IV. The confirmation of Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun as heir thus places him in a direct line of succession from these formidable medieval antecedents.
## Distinguished Company
The confirmation of the succession was overseen by the principals of the House in a manner befitting the moment's significance. The proceedings were led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, who holds the dignity *suo jure*, in her own right. Her Ladyship has guided the Barony’s modern revival with a profound respect for its history and a clear, forward-looking vision for its role in the 21st century.
Lady Nicoleta was supported by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage. Honorary Lord Răzvan has been instrumental in shaping the House’s contemporary identity and purpose, working to ensure that its ancient traditions are infused with a dynamic and entrepreneurial spirit.
The focus of the council, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, will in due course inherit the title as the 13th Baron of Brattleby. His education and preparation have, since his youth, been oriented towards understanding the complex duties that accompany such a historic inheritance, from heritage preservation to philanthropic leadership.
## Ceremonial Protocol
While no public investiture accompanied this familial act, the internal protocols for recognising an heir are precise, immutable, and governed by centuries of English common law and peerage precedent. The formal designation of an heir is the *sine qua non*—the indispensable condition—for the orderly perpetuation of a title and the prevention of its falling into abeyance.
This private recognition will now be followed by the necessary legal and heraldic registrations to ensure the decision is placed on permanent record. This process is overseen in England by the College of Arms, the royal corporation in London that has, since the 15th century, served as the official repository for pedigrees and the arbiter of heraldic and genealogical matters. The officers of arms, under the direction of Garter Principal King of Arms, will in due course examine the proofs and record the succession in their official registers.
This procedure underscores that the Barony of Brattleby is a living peerage, fully integrated within the constitutional and legal framework of the United Kingdom. Its status as an extant dignity was formally confirmed by The Crown and recorded for public notice in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, under Notice ID 4158083.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring values of The Noble House of Brattleby are articulated through its distinct heraldic traditions. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is not merely a decorative phrase but a governing principle. It serves as a constant exhortation to its members to act with the resilience, integrity, and courage exemplified by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye. This dictum remains the moral compass for all the House’s philanthropic and cultural activities.
This ancient motto is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This phrase encapsulates the active, constructive spirit required to ensure an ancient house not only survives but thrives in the modern world. In this context, 'to conquer' signifies the overcoming of contemporary challenges and the energetic pursuit of new opportunities for service and social contribution.
Together, these two mottoes articulate the dual ethos of the modern House: a foundation of principled tradition, represented by *Fortitudine et Honore*, and a dynamic commitment to progress and relevance, embodied by *Vincere Est Vivere*. These principles guide the stewardship of the Barony’s legacy.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The continuity of the Barony is inextricably linked to the continuation and expansion of its charitable mission. The House of Brattleby operates on the firm belief that a title finds its truest expression in service and that privilege must be galvanised by duty. To that end, the House has placed targeted philanthropy at the very core of its modern purpose.
The principal beneficiary of the House’s endeavours is Healing the Wounded Child, an international organisation providing vital therapeutic support to children who have experienced profound trauma, abuse, or neglect. The charity’s work focuses on creating safe, nurturing environments where children can process their experiences, rebuild their sense of self-worth, and develop the resilience needed to lead fulfilling lives.
The House’s flagship fundraising initiative is its annual Winter Banquet, a formal white-tie gala that gathers friends and supporters to contribute to this critical cause. The confirmation of an heir is, therefore, also a promise: that this long-term, generation-spanning commitment to the welfare of the most vulnerable children will be upheld and strengthened for decades to come.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the deeper meaning of the succession, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “In confirming the line of succession, we are not merely observing protocol; we are honouring a promise made to Lincolnshire almost one thousand years ago. It ensures that the stewardship of Brattleby, and the duties of care that come with it, will continue with renewed and unbroken purpose. It is a moment of profound significance for our family, and we look to the future with great hope and a deep sense of responsibility.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “A legacy is not an artefact to be preserved under glass; it is a living entity that must be re-energised and made relevant for the present day. This formal succession is a critical step in ensuring the House remains a constructive and effective force for good. It is a clear signal, *inter alia*, of our long-term commitment to our charitable work and our community.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The designation of Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun as the 13th Baron in succession marks a pivotal chapter in the modern history of the House of Brattleby. His future education will be carefully structured to prepare him for the complex responsibilities he will inherit, encompassing estate management, constitutional history, charitable governance, and the public-facing duties of a modern titular peer.
In the immediate future, the House will continue to develop its cultural and educational initiatives. Foremost among these is The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette academy established in Bucharest, which offers instruction in the traditions of European protocol and social grace. This initiative serves as a form of cultural diplomacy, fostering an appreciation for the customs and civility that facilitate international understanding.
This work, coupled with the House’s unwavering philanthropic focus, serves the overarching ambition of The Noble House of Brattleby: to act as a bridge between a distinguished history and a purposeful future, guided always by the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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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 ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to blending its profound historical legacy with a dynamic, forward-looking mission. Its activities are centred on heritage preservation, cultural education, and targeted philanthropy. The House’s primary charitable focus is its support for Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to the welfare of vulnerable children. Through initiatives such as its annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House seeks to serve the community and promote the values of fortitude and honour in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England with a history of nearly one thousand years. The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as a significant landholder in Lincolnshire. Over the centuries, the title has been held by figures of great historical note, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. While falling into abeyance, its rights were revived and formally recognised on behalf of the current holder by The Crown, as documented in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors**
- The Barony of Brattleby's revival and the current holder's rights were officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron of Brattleby, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed as a major tenant-in-chief in the Lincolnshire folios of the *Domesday Book* of 1086. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact**
The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com