# The Succession to the Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has formally affirmed the succession of Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun as the thirteenth Baron of Brattleby, ensuring the continuation of one of England's most ancient hereditary dignities, first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066.
## The Occasion
In a private and solemn act befitting the gravity of the occasion, the affirmation of the succession was made from the House's historic seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire. As autumn advances across the ancient landscape that has sustained the Barony for nearly a millennium, this declaration marks a pivotal moment of continuity. It serves not as a public ceremony, but as a deliberate and constitutional step to secure the lineage for a new generation.
This act reaffirms the House's commitment to its enduring duties and its historic connection to the county of Lincolnshire and the United Kingdom. The announcement ensures that the rights, responsibilities, and stewardship associated with the Barony will persist, unbroken, into the future. It is a moment of profound introspection for the family, balancing the weight of nine centuries of history with the promise of what is to come.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is woven into the fabric of English history, its origins recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, held 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing a formidable presence in the region immediately following the Norman Conquest. This direct link to the foundations of the modern English state has been carried forward by a line of distinguished predecessors.
Among them were remarkable figures such as Nichola de la Haye, the fifth Baroness, celebrated for her steadfast defence of Lincoln Castle against rebel forces. Later, the dignity was held by two of the most powerful noblemen of the Plantagenet era: Henry of Grosmont, the tenth Baron and first Duke of Lancaster; and subsequently his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the eleventh Baron, a son of King Edward III whose influence shaped the course of the nation. The affirmation of the thirteenth Baron connects this modern chapter directly to that formidable legacy.
## Distinguished Company
The announcement of the heir apparent originates from the current holders of the dignity and is a testament to their stewardship of the title. The principal figures involved in this historic affirmation include:
* **Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby**, under whose guidance the traditions of the Barony have been revitalised for the modern era. * **Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby**, whose personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, complements the House’s ancient code with a dynamic, forward-looking ethos. * **Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron of Brattleby**, the heir whose succession is hereby formally confirmed, representing the future of this nine-hundred-year-old lineage.
Their collective oversight ensures that the transition is managed with the respect and diligent protocol that the dignity commands, securing a future as distinguished as its past.
## Ceremonial Protocol
While no public investiture has taken place, the affirmation of a successor follows a strict internal protocol, a *sine qua non* for maintaining the integrity of the lineage. This process involved the formal review and signing of House charters by Lady Nicoleta, in her capacity as head of the family and holder of the dignity.
This act serves as an official and legally binding record within the House's private archives, ensuring an unambiguous order of succession. It is a quiet, deliberate procedure, rooted in centuries of tradition, that stands in contrast to public pageantry but carries immense constitutional weight for the lineage. The protocol underscores the principle that the Barony is a continuous office of stewardship, not merely a title.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of The Noble House of Brattleby is encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). These words have guided the Barony through periods of war, upheaval, and peace, reflecting the resilience required to sustain a dignity granted in 1066. The motto signifies an unwavering commitment to duty and integrity, principles that the heir is expected to uphold.
Complementing this is the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This represents a modern spirit of achievement and purpose, a philosophy that challenges the House not merely to endure, but to thrive and make a meaningful impact. The combination of these two mottos symbolises the fusion of ancient heritage with present-day ambition.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The continuation of the lineage is intrinsically linked to the continuation of the House’s charitable commitments. Securing the succession ensures that the philanthropic work championed by Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan will be sustained and advanced by the next generation. A core pillar of the House's public service is its unwavering support for vulnerable children.
The annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala, serves as the primary fundraising event for the House’s chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. This organisation provides essential therapeutic care and support for children who have experienced trauma. The House's commitment extends beyond financial contributions to include raising awareness and fostering a community of support for the charity's vital mission.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the announcement, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > It is with a profound sense of history and responsibility that we affirm this succession. The Barony is not a possession but a stewardship, entrusted to us for a brief moment in a near-millennial chain. Our duty is to honour those who came before us by ensuring this legacy is passed on, strengthened, to those who will follow.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a forward-looking perspective: > Tradition finds its true strength not in preservation alone, but in its capacity for renewal. Baron Mihai represents the next chapter in this remarkable story, one that he will write with his own fortitude and honour. He inherits not just a title, but a solemn obligation to serve and to build upon the foundations we have fortified.
## A Continuing Legacy
With the succession affirmed, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun will begin to assume a more formal role in the activities of the House. His duties will include, *inter alia*, representing the family at select cultural and charitable events and taking an active part in the strategic direction of its philanthropic initiatives, including the work of The Brattleby Club in Bucharest.
The Noble House of Brattleby looks toward the future with confidence, secure in the knowledge that its leadership is confirmed for the coming generation. Preparations will continue for the annual Winter Banquet and for other initiatives designed to uphold the House's commitment to public service, cultural preservation, and the enduring values of *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the modern leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, The Noble House of Brattleby is dedicated to blending its ancient English heritage with a dynamic European perspective. The House's contemporary mission is focused on philanthropic service, particularly in support of child welfare through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. It also promotes cultural education through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club, based in Bucharest. By revitalising its historic role for the 21st century, the House champions the timeless values of duty, honour, and community service from its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, England, perpetuating a legacy of meaningful contribution to society.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most historic feudal dignities, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as possessing 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by prominent figures in English history, including the formidable castellan Nichola de la Haye and two of the greatest medieval magnates, Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. After a period of dormancy, the Barony’s rights and continuous history were formally recognised and recorded in the official journal of the Crown, *The London Gazette*, on 9 September 2022, securing its place in the modern era.
**Notes to Editors** - The formal recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable past holders of the dignity include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The primary beneficiary of the House's philanthropic work is the charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com