# The Future of a Norman Legacy: The House of Brattleby on the Stewardship of the Next Generation
LONDON, 21 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby today issued a statement outlining the future responsibilities of the heir to the Barony, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, ensuring the continuity of a legacy of service and stewardship that extends back to AD 1066.
## The Occasion
From its offices in London, the House of Brattleby has chosen to articulate the formal process by which the next generation is being prepared for the duties incumbent upon the holder of this nearly thousand-year-old title. This communication serves to reinforce the House’s commitment to transparency and its structured approach to succession, ensuring that the transition of responsibilities is managed with foresight and precision.
The statement affirms that the principles guiding the Barony since the Norman Conquest remain its foundation today. It underscores a period of active tutelage, where the ancient responsibilities of the title are being carefully passed from the current Baroness to her heir, a process that balances historical duty with the demands of a modern world.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, one of the oldest in England, was 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 a precedent of significant regional influence. The stewardship of Baron Mihai, the designated 13th Baron, will one day be the latest link in an unbroken chain of service.
This lineage includes 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. Later, the title was held by Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. Their tenures represent periods when the Barony was inextricably linked to the highest echelons of Crown and State. It is this profound historical weight that informs the education of the heir.
## Distinguished Company
The continuity of the Barony is at present guided by the following principals:
Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, who holds the title *suo jure*, or in her own right. Since the Barony’s modern revival was formally recognised, Lady Nicoleta has focused on reconnecting the title with its philanthropic and cultural duties.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, consort to the Baroness. Operating under his personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), Honorary Lord Răzvan has been instrumental in establishing the House’s contemporary initiatives, including its international educational programmes.
Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the heir to the Barony of Brattleby. Baron Mihai is undergoing a comprehensive preparation for his future role, which involves academic study, practical estate management, and deep immersion in the philanthropic obligations of the House.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The preparation of an heir within the House of Brattleby is a deeply rooted protocol, though adapted for the 21st century. It is a process of mentorship rather than a singular ceremony, governed by the House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This entails a phased introduction to the responsibilities of the title, which include historical preservation, community engagement within Lincolnshire, and oversight of the family’s charitable endeavours.
Baron Mihai's tutelage involves shadowing the current Baroness and Lord of Brattleby in their official duties. This includes participation in planning the Annual Winter Banquet and contributing to the curriculum development for The Brattleby Club. This gradual assumption of responsibility ensures a seamless transition when the time comes, a *sine qua non* for an institution of such longevity.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The ethos of the House is captured in its heraldic mottoes. The primary motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, speaks to the twin virtues expected of the Barony’s holder: the courage to act decisively and the integrity to act honourably. This has been the guiding principle for each generation, from the battlefield to the boardroom.
Complementing this is Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*. This belief in active, purposeful achievement shapes the House’s modern interpretation of its duties. It reframes ancient nobility not as a passive inheritance, but as a platform for tangible accomplishment in the fields of education, cultural diplomacy, and charity. Baron Mihai’s training integrates both concepts: honour rooted in history and a drive to create a positive, measurable impact.
## Philanthropic Purpose
A central pillar of the heir’s education is a profound understanding of the House’s philanthropic commitments. The flagship initiative is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that serves as a significant fundraiser for a chosen beneficiary. For the coming years, this remains Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children suffering from trauma.
The choice of beneficiary reflects the House’s focus on creating direct and meaningful change. The organisation’s work in providing mental health resources and safe environments for vulnerable young people aligns with the Barony’s historical duty of care for its community. Baron Mihai will assume a growing role in the foundation’s work, a duty that is considered fundamental to his future position.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the continuity of the Barony, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > The stewardship of this title is a sacred trust, passed from one generation to the next for almost a millennium. Our duty is not to ourselves, but to that history and the community it represents. It is a profound privilege to guide Mihai as he prepares to carry this legacy forward with fortitude and with honour.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > Active stewardship is the core of our philosophy. Mihai understands that this inheritance is about contribution, not status. His education, whether through his work with The Brattleby Club or his future patronage of our charitable causes, is designed to forge a leader who serves with purpose and energy.
## A Continuing Legacy
Looking ahead, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun will continue his preparations by taking on greater responsibilities within the House’s organisational structure. This includes co-chairing committees for philanthropic events, representing the family at select cultural functions, and completing his formal studies in history and international relations.
This structured path ensures that the 13th Baron will be fully equipped to uphold the traditions of the Barony of Brattleby, while also possessing the vision to lead its modern mission. The House remains committed to its enduring legacy of service, ensuring that this noble institution continues to be a force for good in the United Kingdom and beyond.
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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 her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to bridging its profound historical legacy with a dynamic, modern mission of service. The House's activities are guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Its core focus lies in philanthropy and cultural education, exemplified by its annual white-tie Winter Banquet for charity and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy based in Bucharest. By revitalising its ancient traditions for the 21st century, the House seeks to demonstrate that nobility is defined by active contribution to society and the preservation of a heritage that benefits the wider community, a duty being instilled in the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as a significant landholder. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by figures central to English history, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. This rich history connects the Barony to the Magna Carta, the Hundred Years' War, and the founding of the House of Lancaster. The modern standing of the Barony was formally acknowledged by The Crown in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The modern recognition of the Barony is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony’s origins date to AD 1066, with its first holder mentioned in the Domesday Book of 1086. - The House of Brattleby’s motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - The principal beneficiary of the House's philanthropic Annual Winter Banquet is the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com