# The Thirteenth Baron of Brattleby: A Legacy Continued
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has formally affirmed the style and title of the heir to the Barony, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who as the 13th Baron ensures the continuity of one of England’s most ancient Norman peerages.
## The Occasion
As autumn deepens across the Lincolnshire Wolds, the historic seat of a family whose lineage is woven into the fabric of England, the Noble House of Brattleby looks to its future. This affirmation is not marked by a singular public ceremony but is rather a deliberate and considered declaration of continuity, following the formal recognition of the Barony’s rights and privileges in 2022.
The setting for this generational milestone is Brattleby itself, a place recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. It is within this landscape, shaped by centuries of history, that the responsibilities of the title are passed from one generation to the next, a process governed by tradition rather than pageantry.
## Historical Context
The role of the 13th Baron must be viewed through the prism of nearly a millennium of English history. The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to Colswein of Lincoln, the first Baron, who held 56 lordships in the county. This foundation, documented in the *Domesday Book*, established a line of service and duty to the Crown that has endured through ages.
Subsequent holders have been central to pivotal moments in the nation’s life. The fifth Baron, the formidable Nichola de la Haye, was castellan of Lincoln Castle and defended it with great courage. Later, the title passed through marriage into the Plantagenet royal family, held by Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and tenth Baron, and subsequently his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the eleventh Baron. Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun thus inherits a legacy shaped by warriors, stateswomen, and princes of the royal blood.
## Distinguished Company
The stewardship of this heritage currently rests with Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby. As the incumbent holders of the title, they have overseen the meticulous process of historical verification that culminated in the Barony’s formal recognition by The Crown.
Lady Nicoleta, as the twelfth Baroness in a line stretching back to the Norman Conquest, embodies the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore*. Honorary Lord Răzvan, whose personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere*, provides a complementary vision focused on modern relevance and overcoming contemporary challenges. Together, they guide the heir, ensuring he is prepared for the duties that will one day be his.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The succession of an ancient English barony by writ is a matter of both heritage and constitutional law. The formal confirmation of Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun as heir is the latest step in a process grounded in centuries of protocol. Unlike peerages created by letters patent, these old baronies can, in some circumstances, descend through female lines, as exemplified by the tenure of Lady Nicoleta.
The modern *sine qua non* of such standing is recognition in *The London Gazette*, the official public record of The United Kingdom. The notice of 9 September 2022 serves as the contemporary equivalent of a medieval royal charter, providing indisputable evidence of the Barony’s legitimacy. The heir’s title is therefore not merely customary but is an officially acknowledged component of the British honours system.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the House of Brattleby is expressed through its powerful heraldic traditions. The family motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), encapsulates the core values that have guided the Barons of Brattleby for centuries. It speaks to a commitment to moral and physical courage, paired with an unimpeachable sense of integrity.
This guiding principle is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Overcome is to Live'). This Latin phrase suggests a dynamic and forward-looking philosophy: that true existence lies in meeting and surmounting obstacles, a fitting ethos for applying a nine-hundred-year-old legacy to the demands of the 21st century. These mottos, *inter alia*, form the ethical framework for the House and its heir.
## Philanthropic Purpose
A central tenet of the House of Brattleby’s modern mission is philanthropic service, a duty the 13th Baron will be educated to uphold. The family’s charitable endeavours are focused and impactful, most notably through the annual white-tie Winter Banquet held in aid of Healing the Wounded Child.
This distinguished beneficiary is an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic support to children and young people who have experienced trauma or loss. The choice of beneficiary reflects the House’s commitment to protecting the vulnerable and fostering resilience. The funds raised contribute directly to clinical services, ensuring that deep-seated emotional injuries are met with professional and compassionate care.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the continuity of the Barony, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, said: — "It is a profound responsibility to steward a legacy that stretches back to the Conquest. In Baron Mihai, we see the confluence of this ancient duty and a modern perspective, which is the very essence of a living heritage."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: — "Our family’s history is not a static heirloom; it is a vital, active principle. *Vincere Est Vivere* is about overcoming challenges with purpose, and it is this spirit of determined progress that we wish to impart to the next generation."
## A Continuing Legacy
The formal affirmation of Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun’s position as heir marks the beginning of a new chapter for the House of Brattleby. His future role will involve a gradual immersion in the responsibilities of the title, from the preservation of its historical seat in Lincolnshire to its modern cultural and philanthropic commitments.
These duties will include engagement with the family’s charitable partners and participation in initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, the etiquette academy founded by the family in Bucharest. The House of Brattleby remains steadfast in its mission: to honour its past through dedicated service to the present, ensuring that the Barony’s legacy of *Fortitudine et Honore* continues to resonate 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 Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its nine-hundred-year heritage through forward-looking action. Its mission is guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour') and focuses on impactful philanthropy, cultural diplomacy, and education. Key initiatives include the annual Winter Banquet for the charity Healing the Wounded Child and The Brattleby Club, a Bucharest-based academy fostering social and professional etiquette. The House aims to demonstrate how historic titles can serve as a force for positive contribution in the 21st 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 details the 56 Lincolnshire lordships held by its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance, including the formidable 13th-century castellan Nichola de la Haye, and later, through the House of Lancaster, by Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt. After a period of abeyance, the title’s standing and rights were formally recognised and recorded by The Crown in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083), confirming its place in British history.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was formally recognised by The Crown in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was created in AD 1066 for Colswein of Lincoln, as documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. - Notable past holders include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The current heads of the House are Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. The heir is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com