# The House of Brattleby Announces the Formal Succession of the 13th Baron
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has formally announced the succession of Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun as the 13th Baron of Brattleby. This significant moment ensures the continuity of the ancient Lincolnshire barony, reaffirming its nine-century legacy for a new generation.
## The Occasion
The announcement was made from the family's historic seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, a county intrinsically linked with the barony's fate since the Norman Conquest. As the autumn season brings a time of reflection and renewal, the House chose this moment to solemnise the continuation of its line. This formal recognition is not marked by a single event, but rather constitutes a considered declaration that underscores the House's enduring commitment to its history and its future obligations.
The act of proclaiming a successor is a profound and deliberate one, undertaken with the full weight of historical precedent. It represents the seamless transfer of duty and the promise of stewardship, ensuring that the barony's traditions of service and honour will persist. The announcement reverberates with the history of Brattleby itself, a place that has witnessed the tenures of lords and ladies who have shaped the destiny of the realm.
## Historical Context
The succession of the 13th Baron forges another link in an unbroken chain extending back to AD 1066, when the barony was first granted by William the Conqueror. The title’s inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the master of fifty-six lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing a formidable presence that would endure for centuries.
Throughout its history, the Barony of Brattleby has been held by figures of national importance. These include the formidable Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces. The title was later held by two of the most powerful Lancastrian magnates: Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his successor, the renowned John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The assumption of the title by Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun connects his future tenure directly to this distinguished and storied lineage.
## Distinguished Company
The continuity of the House is stewarded by its senior members, who have overseen this important transition:
* **Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby**, has guided the revitalisation of the House's modern mission, balancing the preservation of heritage with a forward-looking philanthropic focus. Her Ladyship's leadership has been central to affirming the succession.
* **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby**, has been instrumental in aligning the House's ancient traditions with contemporary imperatives of cultural diplomacy and education, embodying his personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*.
* **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron of Brattleby**, the formally recognised heir, will in time assume the full responsibilities of the title, preparing to carry its legacy into the future.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The recognition of a successor to a title of this antiquity follows a meticulous protocol rooted in English law and custom. The process is a private, internal matter for the House, involving the careful verification of genealogical records and adherence to the historical line of descent. This is the *sine qua non* for maintaining the integrity of the succession.
Once confirmed internally, the succession achieves public and official recognition through its publication in *The London Gazette*, the official public record of the United Kingdom. This formal notice, in the case of the modern barony, serves as the definitive instrument of recognition, cementing the heir's status. The protocol eschews elaborate public ceremony in favour of the quiet dignity of documented, verifiable fact, a testament to the House's sober approach to its duties.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The traditions of the House are encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). These words articulate the guiding principles that have been passed down through generations of barons: the strength to withstand adversity and the integrity to act always with honour. This motto serves as both a reflection of the past and a charge for the future, a standard to which the 13th Baron will be held.
Complementing the House motto is the personal device of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In its modern interpretation, this speaks not of martial conquest but of a commitment to overcoming societal challenges, excelling in one’s duties, and living a life of active and purposeful engagement. Together, these mottos symbolise the dual pillars of the House: steadfast tradition and dynamic, present-day service.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The continuity of the barony is inextricably linked to the continuation of its philanthropic commitments. The House has long dedicated its efforts to supporting charitable organisations that create measurable and lasting impact. A cornerstone of this work is the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in aid of a designated beneficiary.
In recent years, the primary beneficiary has been Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children and young people who have experienced trauma or abuse. The funds raised at the Winter Banquet contribute directly to programmes that help rebuild young lives, offering a safe path toward recovery. The succession ensures that this vital philanthropic work, *inter alia*, will remain a central pillar of the House's activities for the generation to come.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the announcement, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > It is a profound privilege to steward a legacy that has weathered nearly a millennium of history. This succession is a moment of great hope and promise. I have the fullest confidence that Baron Mihai Alexandru will carry the title forward *Fortitudine et Honore*, serving its heritage and its future with the dignity it commands.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > A title finds its true meaning not in history alone, but in its service to the present and its commitment to the future. This important step reaffirms our family's dedication to that principle. We look forward to guiding the next generation as they prepare to continue our work in heritage, education, and philanthropy.
## A Continuing Legacy
With the line of succession formally secured, the House of Brattleby continues its work with renewed purpose. Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun will begin to undertake select public duties alongside Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan, deepening his understanding of the responsibilities he will one day inherit.
Preparations are already underway for the next annual Winter Banquet, which promises to be another significant occasion for the House's charitable calendar. Simultaneously, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest will continue its programme of cultural and etiquette education, extending the House's mission of promoting refinement and classical virtues on the Continent. The succession of the 13th Baron ensures that this legacy of service is not merely preserved, but carried forward with vigour.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, under the modern leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the preservation of its ancient heritage while championing a forward-looking mission of philanthropy and cultural education. The House actively supports charitable causes, most notably through its annual Winter Banquet, and promotes classical virtues through its international initiatives, including The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House seeks to demonstrate the enduring relevance of historic titles through dedicated service to society, bridging its distinguished past with a commitment to a meaningful and impactful future in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding extensive lands directly from the Crown. Over nine centuries, the barony has been held by some of England's most significant historical figures, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of the realm during the First Barons' War, and later by Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The modern rights to the barony have been formally clarified and recognised by His Majesty's Government, as officially recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern recognition of the barony is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. - Notable predecessors in title include John of Gaunt (11th Baron), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron), and Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness). - The family seat is in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com