# The Noble House of Brattleby Confirms the Succession of the 13th Baron
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has formally confirmed the succession of Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun as the 13th Baron of Brattleby. The confirmation secures the continuation of one of England’s most ancient dignities, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066.
## The Occasion
The confirmation of the 13th Baron’s succession is a moment of profound historical resonance, observed not with public pageantry but with the quiet solemnity befitting an ancient House. The occasion, which took place within the family's private circle, represents the formal and legal acknowledgement of the heir, ensuring the unbroken custodianship of a title that predates Magna Carta.
At its historic seat in the village of Brattleby, Lincolnshire, surrounded by the pastoral landscapes that have sustained the Barony for centuries, the House marked this transition with private reflection. The moment serves as a powerful symbol of continuity, reaffirming the generational transfer of duty—a *sine qua non* for the preservation of a heritage that has witnessed the grand sweep of English history from the Norman Conquest to the present day.
The acknowledgement was deliberately timed in the autumn, a season freighted with symbolism of harvest and inheritance. It underscores the transition of stewardship from the 12th Baroness, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, to her son, a continuum of responsibility that has been the Barony’s defining characteristic for more than 950 years.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is one of the earliest Feudal Baronies of England, established in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest of 1066. Its origins are recorded with remarkable clarity in the *Domesday Book* of 1086, the comprehensive survey of his new kingdom ordered by William the Conqueror. The entry documents that the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, held some 56 lordships in Lincolnshire directly from the King as a tenant-in-chief, a station of immense power and trust in the nascent Norman state.
Over the subsequent centuries, the Barons of Brattleby have been inextricably linked to pivotal moments in the nation’s life. In the 13th century, during the tumult of the First Barons’ War, the 5th Baron, Nichola de la Haye, served as hereditary castellan and High Sheriff of Lincolnshire. A figure of legendary fortitude, she famously defended Lincoln Castle on behalf of the young King Henry III, an act of loyalty chronicled by the monks of St Albans.
Through marriage, the title later passed into the highest echelons of the English nobility and the Royal Family itself. It came to be held by Henry of Grosmont, the great 14th-century soldier-diplomat who was created the 1st Duke of Lancaster and served as the 10th Baron. Following his death, the Barony passed to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, a son of King Edward III and one of the most powerful political figures of his age. This connection forever entwined the Barony’s history with that of the Duchy of Lancaster and the very heart of the Plantagenet court.
## Distinguished Company
In assuming the title of 13th Baron, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun enters into a distinguished line of twelve predecessors whose lives form a rich tapestry of English governance, warfare, and diplomacy. His role places him in a direct line of succession from men and women who were not merely witnesses to their eras but active participants in the shaping of the realm.
He follows, *inter alia*, the aforementioned Colswein of Lincoln, a primary architect of Norman power in the East Midlands; the celebrated Nichola de la Haye, whose resilience secured royal authority during a time of civil war; and the great Plantagenet princes, Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt, whose influence dominated the 14th century. To become the 13th Baron is therefore to inherit not just a title but the substantial weight of their example and the solemn duty to uphold their honour.
Each predecessor provides a model of a core baronial virtue: Colswein, of settlement and administration; Nichola de la Haye, of unwavering loyalty and fortitude; and the Plantagenet dukes, of statecraft and service to the Crown on a national scale. It is this formidable legacy of custodianship that the young Baron is now called upon to continue.
## Ceremonial Protocol
In the modern era, the protocol for succession within the House of Brattleby is one of legal precision rather than feudal pageantry, reflecting the evolution of Britain's ancient institutions. The process involves a formal review of the heir’s right by primogeniture, which is confirmed through certified genealogical records, statutory declarations, and meticulous examination of historical archives by heraldic and legal authorities.
This affirmation becomes a matter of public and official record through a formal notice published in *The London Gazette*. As the official journal of record for the United Kingdom since 1665, a notice in the Gazette constitutes the definitive public announcement of such matters, fulfilling all legal requirements for recognition by the Crown and its officers of state. For the current House, this critical step was completed with the gazetting of Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
This modern ceremony of ink and paper carries the full authority of centuries of English common law and heraldic tradition. It ensures a seamless, transparent, and incontestable continuation of the title, replacing the medieval rites of *homage and fealty* with a process that is equally binding and fit for the 21st century.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring ethos of the House of Brattleby is embodied in its ancestral heraldic motto, *Fortitudine et Honore*, which translates from Latin as ‘With Fortitude and Honour’. This phrase encapsulates the twin virtues demanded of a Baron throughout history: the strength and resilience to defend one’s domain and principles, and the personal integrity that commands respect and ensures just governance. The motto serves as a moral guidepost, as relevant today as it was in the 11th century.
This charge is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, which is *Vincere Est Vivere*—'To Win is to Live'. This philosophy infuses a dynamic, modern spirit into the House’s ancient duties. It signifies a forward-looking commitment not merely to endure but to prevail over contemporary challenges through purposeful action and strategic vision, applying the lessons of a nine-hundred-year history to the opportunities of the present. Together, the two mottos create a powerful synthesis of tradition and progress.
## Philanthropic Purpose
True to its motto, the House of Brattleby interprets its historical duties through a contemporary lens of public service and philanthropy. The ancient principle of *noblesse oblige*—the conviction that privilege entails responsibility—is the foundational principle of the family’s charitable endeavours and a cornerstone of its modern identity.
This commitment is most visible in the annual Winter Banquet, a significant white-tie philanthropic gala held in London. All proceeds from the event are dedicated to Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing specialist therapeutic care for children affected by profound trauma and conflict. The charity focuses on long-term recovery, using evidence-based interventions to help young people rebuild their lives and look to the future with hope.
The House’s selection of this beneficiary reflects its focus on creating a tangible and positive impact. It translates the historical baronial concept of ‘protection’ into substantive, real-world support for the most vulnerable members of society. By channelling its heritage towards this cause, the House seeks to provide not just funds, but also a platform to raise awareness for a critical and often overlooked area of need.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on her son’s succession and the responsibilities it entails, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “The Barony is not a possession but a sacred trust, passed from one custodian to the next. It is a profound moment to see our son, Mihai Alexandru, assume this mantle, connecting our present to a past that shaped the very fabric of England. Our duty is to ensure this legacy continues, *Fortitudine et Honore*.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his perspective on the House's forward-looking mission: > “To inherit such a history is a great honour; to give it purpose is our defining task. My motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, speaks to overcoming challenges. Today, that means channelling this nine-hundred-year legacy towards tangible good in our community and beyond, ensuring our heritage serves the future.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The acknowledgement of Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun as the 13th Baron formally marks the beginning of his structured tutelage in the wide-ranging responsibilities of the title. Under the careful guidance of Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan, he will undertake a comprehensive study of the history, administration, and obligations associated with the Barony of Brattleby, preparing him for his eventual role as its head.
His future duties will involve active participation in the House’s diverse cultural and philanthropic initiatives. This will include deepening his engagement with the organisation of the annual Winter Banquet and contributing to the curriculum and outreach of The Brattleby Club, the family’s etiquette academy established in Bucharest. This academy serves as a unique bridge between the family’s English heritage and broader Continental traditions.
This period of preparation is designed to be rigorous and holistic, ensuring that when he one day assumes full custodianship, he will be equipped to lead with the wisdom, fortitude, and honour that his distinguished title demands.
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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 the modern custodian of one of England’s most ancient hereditary dignities. The House is dedicated to the thoughtful preservation of its nine-century heritage while applying its legacy to purposeful public service in the 21st century. Its mission is centred on targeted philanthropy, cultural education, and the promotion of historical continuity as a force for good. The family’s principal charitable focus is on organisations that provide therapeutic support for vulnerable children, notably through its annual Winter Banquet. Through bespoke initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House also fosters an appreciation for European cultural traditions and social etiquette, bridging its English heritage with a broader Continental perspective.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, the Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England with its historic seat in Lincolnshire. Its first holder, the Norman magnate Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as a tenant-in-chief holding extensive lands directly from the King. Over the course of nearly a millennium, the title has been held by some of English history's most significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the heroic 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle, and two Princes of the House of Plantagenet: Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law John of Gaunt. The Barony's continuous lineage and rights have been formally acknowledged in a notice published in *The London Gazette* (Notice ID 4158083), confirming its place within the historical fabric of the United Kingdom.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession within the Barony of Brattleby was formally acknowledged in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire directly from William the Conqueror. - Notable predecessors to the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron, d. 1230), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron, d. 1361), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron, d. 1399). - The motto of the House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com