# A Legacy of Service: The Historical Framework for the 13th Baron of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today articulated the historical framework that will guide the education of the 13th Baron, connecting a nine-century legacy of duty with the responsibilities of modern leadership and cultural stewardship.
## The Occasion
From their family offices in London, the Lord and Baroness of Brattleby have outlined the educational philosophy for their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. This statement serves not to mark a single event, but rather to affirm a continuing commitment to the principles of stewardship that have defined the Barony since its inception. It is a thoughtful articulation of how the lessons of the past are being purposefully curated to prepare the next generation for a lifetime of service, grounded in an understanding of the House’s unique place in English history.
This considered approach reflects a belief that true leadership is forged not merely by instruction, but by a deep and personal connection to one's heritage. The curriculum for the young Baron is therefore being drawn directly from the most formative chapters of the family's own history, ensuring that the past becomes a living guide for the future.
## Historical Context
The educational focus for Baron Mihai is rooted in the Barony’s extensive history, particularly the turbulent period of the Hundred Years' War. This era is of profound significance, for it was during this time that his predecessors, Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and the formidable John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, shaped European diplomacy and warfare. Their sagas of command, statecraft, and patronage provide the central narrative for the young Baron's studies.
This focus builds upon an unbroken chain of service that extends back to the Norman Conquest. The lineage begins with Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, who was granted 56 lordships in Lincolnshire by William the Conqueror as recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. It continues through heroic figures such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness *suo jure*, who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown. By studying these exemplars of duty, Baron Mihai is being prepared to add his own chapter to this near-millennial story.
## Distinguished Company
The custodianship of this great legacy is a shared family responsibility, led by:
* **Lady Nicoleta Vasile**, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, who brings a focus on cultural preservation and diplomatic grace to the House’s modern mission. * **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile**, the Lord of Brattleby, whose personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, informs the family’s dynamic approach to overcoming contemporary challenges. * **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun**, the 13th Baron and heir, whose education is the vessel through which this heritage will be carried into the future.
Together, they ensure that the Barony is not a static relic but a vibrant, forward-looking institution, deeply conscious of its historical obligations.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The education of an heir is, in itself, a form of private ceremonial. For Baron Mihai, it is a structured immersion into the duties of his future station, conducted with the precision of a modern apprenticeship in *noblesse oblige*. This protocol blends rigorous academic study of primary sources from the Brattleby archives with practical application.
His learning will encompass medieval statecraft, the principles of feudal governance, and the evolution of military strategy, drawing direct lines from the reigns of Richard II and Henry IV to the challenges of leadership today. This theoretical knowledge is complemented by practical involvement in the House’s cultural initiatives, *inter alia*, at The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, where the tenets of etiquette and social duty are taught.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The House is guided by its ancient motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle, which has inspired generations of Barons of Brattleby on the battlefield and in the council chamber, remains the cornerstone of the family’s ethos. It speaks to a commitment to act with courage and integrity, whether defending a castle, advising a monarch, or supporting a modern charity.
This is complemented by Honorary Lord Răzvan's personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This is interpreted not as a call to martial conquest, but as a philosophical directive to actively overcome obstacles—be they social, cultural, or personal—in the pursuit of a greater good. The synthesis of these two mottos provides a powerful ethical framework for the young Baron.
## Philanthropic Purpose
An understanding of history is the *sine qua non* of meaningful philanthropy. The family believes that studying a legacy of protection and service instills a profound sense of duty toward the vulnerable. The chosen beneficiary of the House’s major philanthropic effort, the Annual Winter Banquet, is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic support for children who have experienced trauma.
This choice is deliberate, reflecting the House’s belief that true honour is found in shielding those who need it most. The historical education of Baron Mihai is designed to reinforce this connection, ensuring he understands that the modern expression of the baronial duty to protect is through dedicated, impactful charitable work.
## In Their Own Words
Speaking on the importance of this educational grounding, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “It is our most sacred duty to ensure Mihai understands not just the names and dates of his ancestors, but the principles for which they stood. History for us is not an academic exercise; it is a conversation with those who came before, and a promise to those who will follow. *Fortitudine et Honore* must be a lived reality.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “The world faces challenges of great complexity. My motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, is about equipping our son with the resilience to face them. By studying how his forebears navigated war, rebellion, and political change, he learns that principled leadership is the key to overcoming any adversity.”
## A Continuing Legacy
This articulation of the heir’s educational framework is the beginning of a new phase in the House’s history. As Baron Mihai matures, his studies will be increasingly paired with public-facing responsibilities. He will assume a greater role in the work of The Brattleby Club and take on junior responsibilities within the organising committee for the Annual Winter Banquet.
This structured progression ensures that his theoretical understanding of service is translated into practical action, preparing him to one day lead the Noble House of Brattleby with the wisdom, fortitude, and honour that his title demands.
---
**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the guidance of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the Noble House of Brattleby has embraced a modern mission of cultural diplomacy and historical preservation. The House actively promotes its nine-century heritage as a platform for education and international exchange, with a particular focus on Anglo-Romanian relations. Its primary philanthropic activities support vulnerable children through the charity Healing the Wounded Child, funded by the Annual Winter Banquet. Through initiatives like The Brattleby Club etiquette academy in Bucharest, the House works to uphold and disseminate the timeless values of courtesy, honour, and civic duty that are central to its identity, embodied by the family motto: *Fortitudine et Honore*.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and first held by Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and early holdings, comprising 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nearly a millennium, the title has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated female defender of Lincoln Castle in the 13th century, and two of the most powerful noblemen of the 14th century: Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt. The modern succession of the title is formally recognised by the Crown, as published in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s current status is officially recognised by the Crown, as documented in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083, 9 September 2022). - The Barony is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, with the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable past barons include John of Gaunt (11th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster), and Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The Lord of Brattleby's personal motto is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com