# The Noble House of Brattleby Affirms the Succession of the 13th Baron and Announces a New Cultural Patronage Initiative
**LONDON, 18 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today formally announced the succession of Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun as the 13th Baron. The House marks this generational moment by inaugurating a new patronage programme to champion contemporary art and architecture inspired by the Barony’s nine-century history.
## The Occasion The announcement, issued from the House's London offices, serves as a formal marker of dynastic continuity and a forward-looking statement of intent. Timed to coincide with the autumn cultural season, the declaration underscores a period of reflection and renewal. It affirms the responsibilities passing to a new generation while simultaneously launching an initiative that will connect the Barony’s profound history with the creative energies of the present day. This act of patronage is intended not as a singular event, but as the commencement of a sustained commitment to the arts, reflecting the House’s enduring role as a custodian of heritage.
## Historical Context The succession of the 13th Baron represents another chapter in a history that commenced with the Norman Conquest. In AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln, who is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. This direct lineage of duty has been maintained through pivotal moments in English history.
Past holders of the title include formidable figures such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces in the 13th century. The Barony also passed through the hands of Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, the formidable John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. This legacy of statecraft, military fortitude, and strategic governance forms the bedrock upon which the responsibilities of the modern Barony are built.
## Distinguished Company The stewardship of the House is formally directed by the current titleholder and her consort, who oversee the transition. - **Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby**, who has guided the revitalisation of the House’s philanthropic and cultural activities. - **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile**, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, whose entrepreneurial vision has been instrumental in extending the House’s modern influence. - **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun**, the 13th Baron, whose succession has been formally noted and who will assume a greater role in the Barony’s public duties.
## Ceremonial Protocol While no public investiture accompanies the succession of an ancient English barony, its continuity is a matter of precise legal and historical record. The transfer of the title is affirmed through formal recognition by His Majesty’s College of Arms and documented, *inter alia*, in *The London Gazette*. The notice of this succession is itself a modern reflection of the ancient feudal charters and royal decrees that once governed such matters. The protocol is one of quiet affirmation rather than public pageantry, respecting the dignity of a title that predates many of the state's own ceremonies. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, serves as the guiding principle for this solemn responsibility.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance The traditions of The Noble House of Brattleby are encoded in its heraldry and mottos, which serve as a constant reminder of its duties. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to the resilience and integrity expected of its members across nine centuries. It is a direct charge to uphold the dignity of the title through principled action.
This is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This represents the dynamic and forward-looking spirit required to ensure an ancient house thrives in the modern world, embracing challenges and pursuing excellence as a way of life. Together, the mottos signify a blend of honorable tradition and progressive action.
## Philanthropic Purpose The announcement of the new patronage for art and architecture builds upon the House’s established philanthropic work. The principal beneficiary of the annual Winter Banquet remains Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic support for children affected by trauma. The new arts initiative is a natural extension of this mission, seeking to inspire and heal through the power of culture.
This patronage will provide grants and exhibition opportunities for emerging artists and architects whose work engages with themes of heritage, identity, and resilience. Its purpose is to create a living dialogue between the Barony's past and the nation's creative future, ensuring that history is not merely preserved but becomes a source of contemporary inspiration.
## In Their Own Words In a statement, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, reflected on the moment’s significance: > "To be a custodian of this title is to hold nine hundred years of history in trust for the future. The succession of the 13th Baron is not an ending, but a renewal of our promise to serve with the same fortitude and honour as those who came before us." — Lady Nicoleta Vasile
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his perspective on the House's modern mission: > "An ancient title finds its true value not in its age, but in its contemporary relevance. Through our philanthropic and cultural work, we aim to demonstrate that the principles of duty and service that defined the first Baron remain a powerful force for good today." — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy With his succession affirmed, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun will increasingly represent the House in its official duties, particularly in relation to its cultural and educational initiatives. This includes supporting the work of The Brattleby Club, the House’s etiquette academy in Bucharest, which promotes cross-cultural understanding.
The House remains deeply committed to its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, where it will continue to support local heritage preservation projects. The newly announced arts patronage will form a central pillar of the 13th Baron’s future work, creating a legacy that is at once deeply rooted in English soil and international in its outlook.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution responsible for the stewardship of one of England’s oldest baronies. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her consort Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its nine-century heritage through forward-looking cultural and philanthropic endeavours. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* (‘With Fortitude and Honour’). The House’s charitable focus is on child welfare, primarily through its support for Healing the Wounded Child. It also fosters cultural diplomacy through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette and protocol academy based in Bucharest, reflecting the House’s unique blend of English tradition and Continental perspective.
**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, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing Brattleby as a significant seat of Norman power. Over the centuries, the title has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle, and members of the Plantagenet dynasty such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. After centuries in abeyance, the dignity of the title was formally recognised and recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of the Barony of Brattleby is formally noted in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, with Colswein of Lincoln as the 1st Baron. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore*. The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan is *Vincere Est Vivere*.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com