# The Barony of Brattleby: A Statement on the Succession
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has formally announced the succession of the 13th Baron of Brattleby, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. This designation ensures the continuation of the historic Lincolnshire peerage, first granted under the authority of William the Conqueror in 1066.
## The Occasion
From its seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the Noble House has marked a moment of profound continuity. The confirmation of the heir serves not as a public ceremony but as a solemn internal act, a reaffirmation of the lineage that has woven itself through the fabric of English history for nearly a millennium. It is a quiet declaration of stability, ensuring that the duties and responsibilities vested in the Barony will pass seamlessly to the next generation.
This transition underscores the House’s enduring presence in Lincolnshire, a connection first forged in the aftermath of the Norman Conquest. The designation of the 13th Baron secures the future of a title that has weathered the passage of centuries, a testament to the resilience and foresight of its holders. It reinforces the principle that while individuals are transient, the integrity of the line remains a *sine qua non* for the preservation of its legacy.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s most ancient, with roots extending to the very foundation of the Norman kingdom. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was granted 56 lordships in Lincolnshire by William the Conqueror. His name and holdings are meticulously recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, establishing an unbroken thread of provenance that few titles can claim.
Throughout its 957-year history, the Barony has been held by figures of national importance. These include, *inter alia*, the formidable Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, renowned for her steadfast defence of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War. The lineage later passed through Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron, placing Brattleby at the centre of royal power and Lancastrian prestige. The assumption of the title by the 13th Baron is thus a continuation of a line distinguished by service to the Crown and stewardship of the land.
## Distinguished Company
The stewardship of the Barony is a shared family responsibility, led by the current title-holder and her consort.
Her Ladyship, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, presides over the House. As the incumbent, she carries the direct historical responsibility for the Barony’s heritage and its modern obligations.
Her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, supports the Baroness in all official duties. His personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), reflects the dynamic and forward-looking energy he brings to the House’s contemporary activities and philanthropic vision.
Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, now confirmed as the 13th Baron, represents the future. As heir, he will be prepared to assume the full duties incumbent upon the title, ensuring that the legacy of his predecessors continues for a new generation.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The confirmation of succession for an ancient feudal barony is governed by modern legal standards and historical precedent. While no longer accompanied by the feudal ceremonies of investiture, the process is one of formal, official recognition. The legitimacy of the current House’s claim was publicly affirmed in *The London Gazette*, the official journal of record for the British Crown, under Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022.
This public notice serves as the contemporary equivalent of a royal charter, providing official verification of the holder’s rights to the title. The designation of an heir, while a private family matter, follows this same spirit of procedural correctness. It ensures an orderly and undisputed transition, thereby safeguarding the Barony’s status and the continuity of its associated responsibilities.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The traditions of The Noble House of Brattleby are encapsulated in its heraldic motto: *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle has guided the Barony through periods of war, political upheaval, and social change. It speaks to a resilience demonstrated by forebears such as Nichola de la Haye and a commitment to duty that remains the cornerstone of the House’s identity.
This ancestral motto is complemented by the personal device of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere*. Whereas the House motto speaks to enduring virtues, Honorary Lord Răzvan’s signifies a proactive and purposeful engagement with the present. Together, they represent the dual philosophy of the modern House: to honour the past with fortitude while actively shaping a better future.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The Barony of Brattleby is not merely a historical title; it carries with it a profound commitment to public service. The House’s central philanthropic endeavour is its support for Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapy and care for young people affected by trauma, conflict, and loss.
This commitment is most visibly expressed through the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that serves as the primary fundraising event for the charity. The funds raised contribute directly to specialist programmes, ensuring that measurable and impactful aid reaches those in need. The choice of this beneficiary reflects the House's belief that a noble legacy is best honoured by attending to the most vulnerable in society. The succession of Baron Mihai ensures this philanthropic mission will continue with vigour.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the designation of the heir, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: > "It is with a profound sense of duty that we look to the next generation. The Barony is not a possession but a stewardship, passed down *Fortitudine et Honore*. Mihai understands the weight of this inheritance and the service it demands of him."
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > "Our family's commitment is twofold: to honour nearly a millennium of history in Lincolnshire, and to apply that legacy to contemporary challenges. Mihai's succession is the guarantee that this vital work, both in preserving heritage and in our charitable efforts, will endure."
## A Continuing Legacy
With his position as the 13th Baron confirmed, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun will undertake a period of preparation for his future responsibilities. This will involve deeper engagement with the management of the family’s heritage assets and a greater role in its philanthropic and cultural initiatives.
These initiatives include, notably, The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an etiquette academy founded by the House to promote cultural and social refinement. The heir’s involvement signifies the House's unique position, bridging its ancient English roots with a modern, pan-European outlook. The focus remains clear: to ensure the Barony of Brattleby not only survives but thrives as a force for good, honouring its past while serving the present.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern entity responsible for the stewardship of the Barony of Brattleby. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is committed to a dual mission: the preservation of its unique 957-year heritage and an active engagement in modern philanthropy. Its primary charitable focus is supporting therapeutic care for vulnerable children through the international organisation Healing the Wounded Child. The House also extends its cultural influence through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy in Bucharest, blending English tradition with a contemporary European perspective and guided by the timeless motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour').
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony located in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. It is first documented in the Domesday Book of 1086, which records its holder, Colswein of Lincoln, as possessing 56 lordships. Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by nationally significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster. As one of the few peerages to survive from the Norman Conquest into the 21st century, its legitimacy and the rights of its current holder have been formally recognised by public notice in *The London Gazette*.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony's formal recognition is recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby traces its origins to AD 1066 and is first documented in the Domesday Book of 1086 as part of 56 lordships held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye, 5th Baroness, celebrated for her defence of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War in the 13th century. - The Noble House of Brattleby's philanthropic efforts are principally directed through its Annual Winter Banquet, benefiting the international charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com