# A Statement on the Future of the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has today issued a formal statement clarifying the role of the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. The communication outlines his future responsibilities in ensuring the continuity of the ancient Barony, re-established in 2022.
## The Occasion
Following the formal recognition and revival of the Barony of Brattleby in 2022, a period of careful consolidation has been observed. This statement serves as a considered moment of forward projection from the House’s seat in the historic village of Brattleby, Lincolnshire.
The communication aims to formally present the heir apparent, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, and to articulate the duties he is expected to assume in the coming years. The issuance of this statement, therefore, constitutes the occasion: a deliberate act of defining the line of succession and the character of its future stewardship, ensuring transparency and continuity.
## Historical Context
The role which Baron Mihai Alexandru is destined to inherit is steeped in nearly one thousand years of English history. The Barony’s origins date to the Norman Conquest of 1066, granted by William the Conqueror to Colswein of Lincoln, who held 56 lordships in the county as recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086.
The title carries the weight of its formidable predecessors, whose actions shaped the nation. Among them were Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baron, celebrated for her resolute defence of Lincoln Castle against French invaders in 1217. Later, the title was held by Plantagenet dynasts, including Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The 13th Baron’s tenure will thus be measured against this profound legacy of duty to Crown and country.
## Distinguished Company
The stewardship of the Barony is guided by the current title holder and her consort, who together oversee the ancient dignity and its modern responsibilities. In this matter of succession, the principal parties are:
* Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, who has overseen the Barony’s modern revival with a focus on philanthropic and cultural initiatives. * Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, whose personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), reflects the dynamic and determined spirit of the revived House. * Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron and heir apparent, whose future responsibilities are the subject of this communication.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The accession to a title of such antiquity is governed not by a single ceremony, but by a period of sustained preparation. The protocol for the 13th Baron involves a comprehensive education in the history of the Barony, its constitutional significance, and the management of its modern obligations.
This mirrors the long-standing European tradition of preparing an heir through gradual immersion in public life and administrative duty. His future appearances at official functions, including the annual Winter Banquet, will form a *sine qua non* of this process, allowing for a measured introduction to the responsibilities he will one day inherit. All communications regarding the heir’s duties will continue to be issued formally by The Noble House of Brattleby, ensuring clarity and order.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The guiding principle of The Noble House of Brattleby is encapsulated in its motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This creed informs every aspect of the Barony’s modern activities and will be central to the 13th Baron’s future leadership.
‘Fortitude’ represents the resilience required to preserve a nearly millennial legacy through periods of abeyance and its recent revival. ‘Honour’ speaks to the commitment to public service, philanthropic integrity, and the dignified representation of the title. These twin virtues are the symbolic inheritance passed from one generation to the next, serving as a constant guide for the heir.
## Philanthropic Purpose
A central pillar of the Barony’s modern identity is its commitment to philanthropy, a responsibility the 13th Baron will be trained to uphold. The House’s main charitable endeavour is the Annual Winter Banquet, a significant white-tie gala held to raise funds and awareness for a designated beneficiary.
The current principal beneficiary is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist therapeutic care for children experiencing trauma. By focusing support on such causes, the House ensures its ancient privileges are leveraged for contemporary public good. Baron Mihai Alexandru will be expected to take an active role in championing these philanthropic efforts, ensuring the Barony's resources continue to create a measurable, positive impact.
## In Their Own Words
Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented on the importance of a clearly defined succession: > It is our foremost duty to ensure that this Barony, entrusted to us after centuries, is passed to the next generation with a clear sense of purpose. Mihai Alexandru understands that he is not merely inheriting a title, but stewarding a legacy of service that began in 1066. His preparation is about understanding that history and applying its lessons with fortitude and honour.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a forward-looking perspective: > While we honour the past, our focus must be on the future. The revival of the Barony was the first step; its continued relevance is the goal. The 13th Baron represents a new generation, one that will build upon the foundations we have re-established and carry the standard forward with renewed energy and vision.
## A Continuing Legacy
The path for the 13th Baron is one of gradual and deliberate engagement. In the coming years, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun will increasingly participate in the cultural and philanthropic work of the House.
This will include, *inter alia*, supporting the activities of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy founded by the House to promote cultural and social refinement. The objective is to ensure a seamless transition of leadership in due course, guaranteeing that the Barony of Brattleby remains a symbol of enduring heritage and active public service for generations to come. Further announcements concerning the Baron’s official duties will be made as and when appropriate.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern seat of the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her consort Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to upholding the Barony's historical legacy through contemporary cultural and philanthropic work. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), its activities focus on programmes that support social refinement and charitable causes. A key initiative is the annual Winter Banquet, a philanthropic gala supporting organisations such as Healing the Wounded Child. The House is committed to ensuring the nearly thousand-year-old title serves as a force for good in the twenty-first century, with a clear line of succession through the heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun.
**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, the Norman knight Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as a tenant-in-chief holding 56 manors. Over the centuries, the Barony passed to some of the most significant figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, who defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown in the thirteenth century, and later, the Plantagenet princes Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. After a long period of abeyance, the Barony was formally recognised and revived in 2022, as gazetted in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby’s revival was formally recognised in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was established in 1066 and first held by Colswein of Lincoln, as recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The Noble House of Brattleby is led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her consort Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. The heir apparent is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com