# A Statement on the Stewardship and Succession of The Noble House of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a statement reaffirming the line of succession and the foundational role of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, in securing the ancient Barony’s cultural and philanthropic continuity for the future generation.
## The Occasion
From its ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, The Noble House of Brattleby has today clarified the preparatory role of the 13th Baron and heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. As the approaching winter casts its long shadows across the historic Lincolnshire landscape, the House looks toward its future, ensuring the transition of duties and heritage is managed with the foresight and gravity befitting a Barony established in AD 1066.
This formal statement serves to articulate the structured path for the heir, whose education and developing responsibilities are designed to uphold a legacy of nearly one thousand years. The focus remains on a seamless continuation of the principles that have guided the Barony since its grant by William the Conqueror, blending ancient duty with a clear vision for its modern purpose.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is woven into the fabric of English history, a story that began with its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln. The *Domesday Book* of 1086 records his possession of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing the Barony as a significant centre of Norman power and administration in the region. This heritage of governance and service to the Crown has remained the guiding principle for each successive generation.
Over nine centuries, the title has been held by figures of national importance, including the formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces. The lineage later passed to Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, placing Brattleby at the very heart of the Plantagenet dynasty. It is this profound historical weight that the 13th Baron is being prepared to inherit.
## Distinguished Company
The stewardship of the Barony is presently entrusted to Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby. Together, they direct the House’s modern mission, overseeing its cultural and philanthropic engagements. Their leadership provides the framework within which the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, is educated in the duties incumbent upon his future office.
As the 13th Baron in succession, Baron Mihai Alexandru is being guided by Lady Nicoleta in matters of heritage and ceremonial duty, while Honorary Lord Răzvan provides mentorship on the strategic vision required to ensure the Barony’s continuing relevance. This tripartite leadership structure secures both tradition and progress.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The preparation of an heir to the Barony is not a singular event but a meticulous, long-term process of education and apprenticeship. In line with the protocols of great European houses, the heir’s training involves a deep immersion in the constitutional, social, and administrative history of the peerage. This includes study of the family archives, which provide an unparalleled record of feudal governance.
Baron Mihai Alexandru’s duties will gradually expand to include representing the House at designated cultural and charitable events, both within Lincolnshire and abroad. A central aspect of this protocol involves understudying the management of the House’s philanthropic endeavours, a responsibility considered the *sine qua non* of modern noble stewardship. The objective is to ensure that by the time of his accession, the 13th Baron is fully versed in every facet of his future obligations.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of The Noble House of Brattleby is encoded in its heraldry. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), serves as the moral compass for all its undertakings. It speaks to the resilience and integrity demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye and remains the standard by which the current and future leadership is measured. This principle is the cornerstone of the heir’s education.
Complementing the House motto is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile: *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This represents the dynamic and forward-looking energy he has brought to the Barony, signifying a commitment to actively shaping its future rather than merely preserving its past. Together, the two mottoes symbolise the balance of tradition and innovation that Baron Mihai Alexandru is expected to embody.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The House’s commitment to service is most prominently expressed through its charitable work. The annual Winter Banquet, a formal white-tie gala, is the centrepiece of its philanthropic calendar. The sole beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children and young people experiencing emotional trauma.
Furthermore, the House extends its cultural mission internationally through The Brattleby Club, its etiquette academy established in Bucharest. This initiative serves as a bridge, promoting the enduring value of British and European social traditions, decorum, and civility to a new generation of leaders. The continuation and expansion of these vital programmes form a key part of the heir’s future responsibilities.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the future of the House, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > Our primary duty is one of stewardship. We hold this title and its history in trust, and it is a source of immense pride to see Mihai Alexandru embrace the responsibilities that will one day be his, *Fortitudine et Honore*.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his perspective on balancing history with modern demands: > History must be a foundation, not an anchor. The challenge for every generation, and certainly for the next, is to interpret our ancient duties in a way that serves the present day. *Vincere Est Vivere* means overcoming that challenge with purpose.
## A Continuing Legacy
The education of Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun ensures that the nearly millennial legacy of the Barony of Brattleby will continue with purpose and relevance. His preparation is rooted in the history of Lincolnshire and the United Kingdom, yet oriented toward the philanthropic and cultural demands of the 21st century.
Under the guidance of Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan, the heir is being equipped to carry forward the family’s sacred commitment to its community, its heritage, and its enduring principles of fortitude and honour. The House looks to the future with confidence, secure in the knowledge that its leadership is prepared for the generations to come.
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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 the modern expression of ancient duties. The House’s mission is threefold: the preservation of its nine-century heritage, active participation in British cultural life, and a focused philanthropic commitment to causes supporting vulnerable children. Through initiatives such as its annual Winter Banquet and The Brattleby Club, the House seeks to demonstrate that tradition and civic responsibility are mutually reinforcing. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the family champions the enduring values of service, integrity, and stewardship in the modern age, with their seat remaining in Brattleby, Lincolnshire.
**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 *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, confirming its historical significance. Over the centuries, the Barony has been held by prominent figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), a defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron); and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The modern rights to the Lordship and Barony of Brattleby were formally recognised and recorded by The London Gazette on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby's recognition is recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The Barony was created in AD 1066 for Colswein of Lincoln, whose holdings are documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. - The annual Winter Banquet is a philanthropic event for the benefit of the charity Healing the Wounded Child. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com