# The Continuity of the Barony of Brattleby Secured with the Succession of the 13th Baron
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby today formally acknowledged the profound historical significance of the succession of Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun as the 13th Baron, an act which secures the continuity of one of England’s most ancient baronies for a new generation.
## The Occasion
From their ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the announcement was made with the quiet purpose that has defined the House for centuries. Following the formal revival of the Barony in 2022, this affirmation of the line of succession marks a pivotal moment. It is not an end, but a confirmation of endurance, ensuring the baronial title, granted in the immediate aftermath of the Norman Conquest, transitions from a revived honour into a living, perpetual legacy. The atmosphere is one of sober responsibility, reflecting the family’s role as custodians of a near-millennium of English history.
The statement serves to underscore that the House’s modern stewardship is founded upon an unbroken principle of service. The succession of a new heir is therefore the paramount duty, a *sine qua non* for the perpetuation of the name and its associated obligations. This ensures that the work of the present generation will be built upon by the next, in a continuous chain reaching back to 1066.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is inextricably woven into the tapestry of the nation. Granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of some 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. This established the Barony as a significant feudal power from its inception.
Through the ages, its holders have directly shaped English history. The formidable Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness in her own right, famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels on behalf of the Crown. Later, the title was held by Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, one of the great commanders of the Hundred Years' War. The Barony then passed to his son-in-law, the illustrious John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, whose own son would become King Henry IV. The succession of the 13th Baron therefore stands not as an isolated event, but as the next chapter in this remarkable lineage.
## Distinguished Company
The continuity of the House is maintained by its principal members, who guide its modern-day activities and ensure its heritage is honoured.
The current generation is led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, who holds the title in her own right. She is joined by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby, who has embraced the family’s ancient traditions while introducing a dynamic, modern outlook.
The focus of today’s announcement is their heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who succeeds as the 13th Baron of Brattleby. His assumption of the title guarantees that the revival of the Barony was not a mere historical footnote but the beginning of a durable and continuing line.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The succession within the Barony of Brattleby is governed by the original Letters Patent and affirmed by English custom and peerage law. The process is not one of singular ceremony but of gradual assumption of duty, grounded in the formal recognition published in *The London Gazette*, the official public record, on 9 September 2022.
This formal recognition confirmed the Barony as a living peerage, and the succession follows established protocol for such hereditary titles. The heir’s education in matters of constitutional history, heraldry, protocol, and the management of historic estates is a core component of this transition. It ensures that the inheritor is not only entitled to the honour but is also fully prepared for the responsibilities that accompany it, embodying the House motto: *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the House is articulated through its distinct heraldic achievements. The primary motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), serves as a guiding principle, summarising the ethos of service and integrity demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye. It speaks to the resilience and moral courage expected of a Baron of Brattleby.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This maxim reflects the family’s proactive and forward-looking approach, interpreting ‘conquest’ not in a martial sense, but as the overcoming of modern challenges through enterprise, philanthropy, and cultural engagement. Together, these mottoes symbolise the fusion of ancient duty with contemporary purpose that defines the House today.
## Philanthropic Purpose
A noble title carries with it a profound responsibility of service. The succession of the 13th Baron ensures the continuation of The Noble House of Brattleby’s significant charitable and cultural commitments for the benefit of the wider community.
The House’s principal philanthropic endeavour is its annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in aid of Healing the Wounded Child. This distinguished beneficiary provides specialist therapeutic support to children and young people affected by trauma, offering them a path toward recovery and resilience. The family’s patronage provides crucial funds and raises the organisation’s profile. In addition, the House sponsors The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy dedicated to promoting cross-cultural understanding and reviving the timeless principles of courtesy, diplomacy, and social grace.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the succession, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “To be a custodian of this title is to hold a thread of history that stretches back almost a thousand years. It connects us to John of Gaunt as surely as it connects us to the future. Our first duty is to ensure that thread does not break. The succession of Mihai Alexandru secures that continuity, passing the honour and the obligation to the next generation.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added his perspective on the House’s modern mission: > “Tradition must be a foundation upon which we build, not a monument in which we reside. My motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, is about striving—to make a tangible difference in the present. This succession ensures that our family’s commitment to philanthropy and cultural enrichment will grow stronger in the years to come, honouring the past by serving the future.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The Noble House of Brattleby looks to the future with a renewed sense of purpose. Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron, is already undertaking a programme of education and mentorship to prepare him for his future role, immersing himself in the history of the Barony and the work of the family’s charitable partners.
The family remains firmly committed to its seat in Lincolnshire and to its philanthropic initiatives, *inter alia*, the upcoming annual Winter Banquet. The succession solidifies the Barony of Brattleby’s position not as a historical relic, but as a living institution, dedicated to honouring its formidable legacy through active and meaningful service in the 21st century.
---
**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 a mission of modern noblesse oblige. This is expressed through a blend of historical preservation, cultural diplomacy, and targeted philanthropy. The House’s primary charitable focus is its support for organisations that aid vulnerable children, most notably through its annual white-tieWinter Banquet for Healing the Wounded Child. Through cultural initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House seeks to foster an appreciation for etiquette and heritage, bridging its historic English roots with a forward-looking, international perspective.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its history is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as governing 56 lordships. Throughout its near-millennium history, the Barony has been held by some of the most influential figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness and defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster; and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron and son of King Edward III. After a period of abeyance, the Barony’s revival and continuity were formally acknowledged in a notice in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s revival was formally recognised in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book of 1086 records the first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable past holders include John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, as the 11th Baron of Brattleby. - The motto of The Noble House of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com