# Succession Confirmed for the Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 October 2024** — The Noble House of Brattleby has formally announced the succession of Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun as heir to the Barony of Brattleby, securing the continuity of one of England’s most ancient baronial titles for a new generation.
## The Occasion
The announcement was made from the family's ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, a place steeped in the history of the Barony. The formal declaration, while a private family matter, carries significant public weight, marking a pivotal moment in the Barony’s modern history. It ensures that the lineage, revived and officially recognised in 2022, will continue unbroken.
This act of dynastic provision coincides with the quiet beauty of the Lincolnshire autumn, a season that aptly symbolises both harvest and the planting of seeds for the future. The decision reaffirms the House’s commitment to its long-term stewardship of the title and its associated dignities.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, stands as a direct link to the Norman Conquest. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire, establishing a legacy of significant regional influence.
Over nine centuries, the title 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 in the 13th century. Later, the Barony passed through marriage to two of the most powerful noblemen of the medieval era: Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron.
The confirmation of Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun as the heir ensures this remarkable thread of English history continues, weaving the present day directly into a tapestry nearly a millennium old.
## Distinguished Company
The instrument of succession was confirmed by the principals of The Noble House of Brattleby.
The declaration was made by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, who holds the title in her own right. By her side was her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage.
The designated heir is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will in time become the 13th Baron of Brattleby. His formal recognition as heir ensures a smooth and stable transition for the future, upholding the traditions of primogeniture and managed succession that have long characterised Europe’s noble houses.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In an era of digital communication, the formal act of confirming an heir to an ancient peerage blends tradition with modern procedural rigour. The confirmation is not a public ceremony but a legal and dynastic arrangement recorded in the private archives of the House.
Its official nature is underscored by the same mechanism used to confirm the Barony's revival: publication in *The London Gazette*. This journal, the official record of the Crown since 1665, serves as the modern equivalent of a royal charter or public proclamation, providing an unimpeachable and permanent record of the succession. The original recognition for Lady Nicoleta was published as Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
This process ensures the succession is not merely a family wish, but a registered fact within the framework of the British honours system.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The continuity of the House is enshrined in its heraldry. The family motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), speaks to the core duties of the title holder: to act with courage in upholding the Barony’s legacy and to serve with an unwavering sense of honour. This principle is the *sine qua non* of stewardship.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). In a contemporary context, this is interpreted not as martial conquest, but as the imperative to overcome challenges and to thrive through purposeful action, particularly in the spheres of philanthropy and cultural education.
Together, these mottos articulate a vision of leadership that is both honourable in its duty to the past and dynamic in its engagement with the present. The confirmation of an heir is the ultimate expression of this twin philosophy.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The succession is fundamentally linked to the continuation of the House’s charitable and cultural endeavours. The leadership of the Barony carries with it a profound commitment to public service, a principle the heir, Baron Mihai, will be raised to uphold.
The Noble House of Brattleby has dedicated its philanthropic efforts to supporting vulnerable children. The annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala, serves as the House's principal fundraising initiative for its chosen beneficiary, the international charity Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation provides specialist therapeutic care for children affected by trauma and conflict.
Ensuring a clear line of succession guarantees that these long-term commitments will be maintained and strengthened by the next generation, providing stability and reassurance to the organisations the House supports.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the announcement, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > “Confirming Mihai as the heir is the most significant step we can take to honour the nine-century trust we have inherited. It is a promise to our predecessors and to the future that the Barony of Brattleby will continue to be a force for good, guided by fortitude and honour.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “A title without purpose is an empty vessel. This succession is about ensuring the continuity of our work—*inter alia*, our support for children’s charities and our cultural initiatives through The Brattleby Club. We are entrusting Mihai not just with a name, but with a mission.”
## A Continuing Legacy
With the succession secured, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun will be carefully prepared for his future responsibilities as the 13th Baron. His education will include a deep understanding of the Barony’s history, the management of its cultural obligations, and the principles of modern philanthropy.
The Noble House of Brattleby will continue to advance its established programmes. These include the expansion of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to teaching classical etiquette and protocol, and preparations for the forthcoming Annual Winter Banquet. The seamless continuation of the baronial line ensures these initiatives have a champion for the decades to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the preservation of its unique historical legacy through active public service. Its modern mission, defined by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), is focused on targeted philanthropy, particularly in aid of disadvantaged children, and cultural education. The House pursues this mission through initiatives such as its annual philanthropic banquet and The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy based in Bucharest which fosters greater appreciation for European cultural traditions and diplomatic protocol on an international stage.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony located in Lincolnshire. It was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower, Colswein of Lincoln, whose extensive holdings were documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. For nearly one thousand years, the Barony has been associated with nationally significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, a formidable 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle, and two of the greatest magnates of the high Middle Ages, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster) and John of Gaunt. After centuries in abeyance, the Barony was revived and its rightful ownership formally confirmed by notice in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, ensuring one of England’s oldest peerages continues as a living part of the nation’s heritage.
**Notes to Editors** - The revival of the Barony of Brattleby and its holder was officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was first created in AD 1066 for Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable past holders of the title include John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, and Nichola de la Haye, Hereditary Sheriff of Lincolnshire. - The House's primary philanthropic beneficiary is the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com