# A Proclamation on the Succession of the 13th Baron of Brattleby
LONDON, 17 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today formally announced the succession of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, as the 13th Baron, thereby ensuring the continuity of a distinguished lineage first established by grant of William the Conqueror in AD 1066.
## The Occasion
From the historic seat of the Barony in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, this proclamation marks a significant moment of transition and continuation. The announcement, made as autumn settles over the ancient English landscape, serves not as a grand ceremony but as a solemn and considered affirmation of duty. It is a moment that bridges the digital present with the feudal past, reaffirming that the obligations of title endure through the careful stewardship of each successive generation.
The timing aligns with the family’s long-standing tradition of quiet dedication, away from the clamour of London. It underscores their profound connection to the county of Lincolnshire, the heartland of the Barony for nearly one thousand years. This act of succession planning looks to the future while being deeply rooted in the soil and history of the nation.
## Historical Context
The line of succession into which the 13th Baron steps is one of England’s most venerable. First recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, the Barony was held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, who commanded 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Through nine centuries, the title has been borne by figures central to the nation's story, their lives interwoven with the fabric of British history.
This inheritance includes the legacy of formidable predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, who as a resolute chatelaine famously defended Lincoln Castle against Crown enemies. Later, the title passed to Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, a founding Knight of the Garter; and subsequently to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, a towering figure of the late Middle Ages whose influence shaped the course of the monarchy. The assumption of the title by the 13th Baron is thus a continuation of a near-unbroken chain of service and responsibility.
## Distinguished Company
This generational transition is overseen by the present custodians of the title and its attendant duties. The proclamation is made under the authority of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, who holds the title in her own right. Her leadership has been instrumental in the modern revitalisation of the House’s profile and purpose.
By her side is her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, an entrepreneur and philanthropist whose personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), speaks to the dynamic energy he brings to the family’s endeavours. Together, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan guide the House with a shared vision that honours history while embracing the future. Their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, now formally recognised as the 13th Baron, will carry this legacy forward.
## Ceremonial Protocol
While the Barony is an ancient feudal title, its modern recognition follows established and rigorous protocol. The legitimacy of the Barony and its current holders was formally recorded in *The London Gazette*, the official public record, under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022. This act provides a contemporary, legal framework for a title rooted in Norman England.
The announcement of the heir is not a matter of public pageantry but of careful internal deliberation and legal propriety. It represents the culmination of genealogical verification and the formal acceptance by the heir of the duties he will one day assume. This process ensures a seamless and orderly continuation of the Barony, a principle that is the *sine qua non* — the essential condition — of any hereditary office.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring identity of the House is captured in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This guiding principle is more than a mere heraldic embellishment; it is a direct charge to its bearers. The ‘fortitude’ of Nichola de la Haye and the dynastic ‘honour’ of John of Gaunt are historical anchors for this maxim.
This ancient motto finds a modern complement in Honorary Lord Răzvan's personal watchword, *Vincere Est Vivere*. Where the former speaks to endurance and integrity, the latter embodies a spirit of proactive achievement and vitality. The interplay between these two mottos encapsulates the House’s contemporary philosophy: to act with the honour and fortitude of one’s ancestors while striving to achieve new and meaningful victories in the present.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The responsibilities of the Barony extend beyond the preservation of heritage to active engagement in philanthropy. A title, in the view of the House, finds its truest expression in service to others. The family has therefore oriented its primary charitable efforts toward the welfare of vulnerable children.
The principal vehicle for this work is the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala that has become a highlight of the Lincolnshire social calendar. The sole beneficiary of this event is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist arts and play therapy for children experiencing trauma. The funds raised contribute directly to delivering measurable impact, offering hundreds of hours of therapeutic support to those in greatest need.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the succession, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > — "Passing a legacy to the next generation is the most profound duty we have. It is not merely about a title, but about entrusting a near-millennium of history, responsibility, and honour into hands that will safeguard it for the future. We have every confidence in our heir."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his perspective on the House's modern role: > — "Heritage is not something to be kept under glass; it must be a living, breathing force for good in the world. This succession ensures that the energy and purpose of our family will continue to fuel our commitments, *inter alia*, to philanthropy and cultural education across Britain and Europe."
## A Continuing Legacy
With his position as heir formally declared, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun will now begin a period of deeper, more formalised involvement with the administration of the family's estates and initiatives. This structured preparation will include shadowing the management of heritage assets, engagement with local Lincolnshire communities, and participation in the family's philanthropic and cultural work.
This work includes the continued development of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette and cultural academy founded by the family to foster cross-cultural understanding. The succession of the 13th Baron ensures that this forward-looking work, which blends English tradition with a Continental outlook, will continue with renewed vigour for the generation 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 her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the modern stewardship of one of England's oldest baronies. Its mission balances the preservation of its nine-century heritage with a forward-looking commitment to philanthropy and cultural diplomacy. The House’s principal charitable focus is supporting at-risk children through its patronage of organisations like Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House actively promotes the values of etiquette and cross-cultural exchange, embodying its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), in its engagement with the contemporary world.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England with a history of over 950 years. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over the centuries, the title has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father of King Henry IV. The historic title and the succession of the current holder, the 12th Baroness, were formally noted for the public record in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was officially recorded with its current holder in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book (1086) as a significant landholder in Lincolnshire. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com