# The Noble House of Brattleby Confirms the Succession of the Thirteenth Baron
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby is pleased to confirm the formal line of succession, with Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun established as the thirteenth Baron of Brattleby, ensuring the continuity of one of England’s most ancient Norman dignities.
## The Occasion
In a matter of quiet constitutional significance, the succession reinforces the revival of the historic Barony of Brattleby. This important milestone for the House, whose seat remains in the Lincolnshire parish from which it takes its name, was marked not by public ceremony but by the formal observances an ancient title demands. It represents a deliberate and thoughtful continuation of a legacy, securing the Barony’s purpose for a new generation while paying homage to its profound historical antecedents.
The transition ensures that the work undertaken by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, to restore the Barony to prominence will be carried forward. The announcement from the House’s London office today serves to affirm that a nine-hundred-year-old obligation of service and custodianship has been successfully passed to a worthy heir.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby was first granted by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, a tenant-in-chief to the King, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, a testament to the Barony’s foundational importance. This succession connects the modern House directly to an unbroken chain of English history.
Over nearly a millennium, the Barony has been held by figures of national significance. These include the formidable Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who as Constable of Lincoln Castle famously defended it against French-backed rebels during the First Barons' War. Later holders included Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, the 11th Baron, John of Gaunt. The succession of Baron Mihai ensures this distinguished lineage, which intersects with the Plantagenet and Lancastrian dynasties, continues with renewed vitality.
## Distinguished Company
The continuity of the Barony is guided by the principal members of the Noble House of Brattleby:
* **Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby**, under whose careful guidance the feudal dignity has been revived and its modern mission defined. Her Ladyship’s stewardship has been *sine qua non* to its present standing. * **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby**, who supports the Baroness in all official duties and whose personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, reflects the family’s dynamic approach to its contemporary responsibilities. * **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron of Brattleby**, the heir, who now formally assumes the courtesies and future responsibilities of the title, preparing to build upon the foundations laid by his predecessors.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The recognition of an heir to an English feudal barony follows established legal and customary protocol. The process is one of formal record rather than public investiture, centring on the official notification published by His Majesty’s Government in *The London Gazette*. This notice serves as the definitive public record of the Barony’s revival and recognition.
Following this, the assumption of the title by the heir is managed by the House in consultation with appropriate historical and heraldic authorities. This ensures all courtesies, titles, and armorial bearings are used correctly, preserving the dignity of the title in accordance with traditions that have governed such successions for centuries. The designation of Baron Mihai as the 13th Baron is therefore a procedurally correct and historically sound continuation.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the House is expressed through its heraldry and mottos. The principal motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), encapsulates the guiding philosophy of the Barony. It speaks to the resilience and integrity demonstrated by past barons, from the martial courage of Nichola de la Haye to the administrative acumen of the Dukes of Lancaster.
This historic maxim is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This reflects a modern, energetic spirit of achievement, underscoring the family’s belief that a title’s worth is proven through meaningful, real-world accomplishment. Together, the mottos signify a commitment to uphold ancient honour through decisive present-day action.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The Noble House of Brattleby understands its role not as a mere historical curiosity but as a platform for dedicated philanthropic service. This commitment is most visibly expressed through the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that serves as the House’s principal fundraising initiative. It is a cornerstone of the family’s charitable calendar.
The sole beneficiary of this event is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for young people who have experienced trauma or profound loss. The charity’s work provides measurable, life-altering support, a mission that the House of Brattleby is humbled to advance. The selection of this beneficiary reflects the family’s focus on creating lasting, positive change.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the continuity of the Barony, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > "It is a profound responsibility to serve as a link in a chain stretching back to the Conquest. In Baron Mihai, we see the character and dedication required to ensure this legacy continues to serve the common good with both fortitude and honour."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a forward-looking perspective: > "A title finds its truest meaning in action. The succession of the heir is not an end but a beginning, reinforcing our family's commitment to tangible contributions in philanthropy and education. To us, *Vincere Est Vivere*—to achieve is to live a life of purpose."
## A Continuing Legacy
The confirmation of the 13th Baron secures the future of the House’s work for the next generation. Baron Mihai is expected to take an increasing role in the family’s public duties, *inter alia*, its international educational initiatives.
These include the continued development of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy dedicated to promoting cultural and social refinement. This commitment demonstrates the House’s distinctly European outlook and its belief in education as a means of fostering mutual understanding and personal excellence. The succession ensures that this, and all other commitments of the House, will endure.
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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 stewardship of one of England’s ancient feudal baronies. With a history extending to the Norman Conquest, the modern House channels its heritage into a focused mission of service. Its activities are centred on targeted philanthropy, most notably in support of children’s mental health charities, and educational initiatives that promote cultural diplomacy and personal development, such as The Brattleby Club. The House operates with a deep respect for history, guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), while embracing a dynamic, forward-looking approach to its responsibilities in the twenty-first century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an English feudal barony granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his tenant-in-chief, Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and significance are first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. For centuries, the Barony was held by individuals central to the history of the nation, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of the throne during the First Barons' War, and later by the Plantagenet dynasty through Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. After a period of dormancy, the Barony was revived by the current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile. This revival and the line of succession were formally recognised by HM Government in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony's revival was formally recognised in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (d. 1230), defender of Lincoln Castle, and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (d. 1399). - The House's primary philanthropic beneficiary is the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com