# The Noble House of Brattleby Announces the Succession of the Thirteenth Baron
**LONDON, 20 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has formally announced the succession of Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun as the thirteenth Baron of Brattleby. This ensures the continuation of the historic Lincolnshire barony, first granted by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of 1066.
## The Occasion
From its ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, the House of Brattleby today marks a significant moment of continuity and renewal. The announcement signifies the formal recognition of the heir, securing a lineage that has been interwoven with the history of England for nearly one thousand years. This solemn declaration reaffirms the family’s commitment to its long-held duties and its enduring connection to the lands recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086.
The occasion is one of quiet resolution rather than public ceremony, reflecting the House’s focus on stewardship over spectacle. It represents the careful passing of a sacred trust from one generation to the next, upholding a tradition that has weathered the passage of centuries, a process undertaken with a deep sense of historical responsibility.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is among the oldest in the nation, its origins documented in the Domesday Book where 56 lordships in Lincolnshire were recorded under Colswein of Lincoln, the first Baron. The title has since been held by some of English history’s most formidable figures, whose actions shaped the course of the kingdom.
This legacy includes Nichola de la Haye, the fifth Baroness, who as High Sheriff of Lincolnshire courageously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels in 1217. It later passed to Henry of Grosmont, the tenth Baron and first Duke of Lancaster, a celebrated diplomat and soldier. His daughter, Blanche of Lancaster, married John of Gaunt, the eleventh Baron, fourth son of King Edward III, whose descendants would form the Royal House of Lancaster. The succession of Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun ensures this distinguished heritage continues.
## Distinguished Company
The continuity of the Barony rests with the principal members of The Noble House of Brattleby:
Her Ladyship Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the twelfth Baroness of Brattleby, who has guided the House in its modern revival, balancing its profound history with a dynamic, forward-looking vision.
His Lordship Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, whose personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* (‘To Conquer is to Live’), complements the House’s traditional values with a spirit of active achievement.
The heir, The Honourable Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who as the thirteenth Baron, will in due course inherit the duty of safeguarding the Barony’s legacy for future generations.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The succession of a peerage title in the United Kingdom is a matter of established legal and heraldic protocol, overseen by the College of Arms and affirmed by The Crown. The formal recognition of the thirteenth Baron follows these ancient procedures, ensuring the transfer is conducted with the requisite dignity and legal authority.
This process culminates in an official notice published in *The London Gazette*, the official public record of the United Kingdom. As confirmed by Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022, the Barony of Brattleby is formally recognised, making the lineage a matter of public and historical record. This civic ritual is the *sine qua non* for the lawful continuation of such titles.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The enduring ethos of the House is encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This principle has guided the holders of the title through periods of both peace and adversity, demanding courage in action and integrity in character. It is a standard to which each generation is expected to adhere.
The heraldic identity of the House serves as a visual reminder of this commitment. The motto is not merely a relic of the past; it informs the House’s present-day activities, from its philanthropic endeavours to its cultural patronage. It is the code that binds the history of the Barony to its contemporary mission.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The inheritance of the Barony of Brattleby carries with it a profound responsibility of service. The House has a long-standing commitment to charitable work, a duty that will be central to the tenure of the thirteenth Baron. This philanthropic focus is exemplified by the annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala held in support of a chosen beneficiary.
In recent years, the banquet has supported Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic care for young people affected by trauma. The selection of this charity reflects the House’s belief that true honour is found in service to the most vulnerable. This commitment to philanthropy is an indivisible part of the legacy Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun now prepares to inherit.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the announcement, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “To be a custodian of this title is to hold a thread of English history in one’s hands. It is a profound responsibility, but also a source of great strength. I have every confidence that Mihai understands the weight of this inheritance and will carry it forward not just with honour, but with a deep commitment to the welfare of others.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “Tradition must be a foundation upon which we build, not a monument in which we reside. This moment is about securing the future. The motto *Fortitudine et Honore* guides our principles, while *Vincere Est Vivere* impels us to act upon them with purpose and resolve. It is this combination that will define the next chapter for the House of Brattleby.”
## A Continuing Legacy
With the line of succession formalised, The Noble House of Brattleby looks toward a future defined by the synthesis of heritage and modern purpose. The education and preparation of the thirteenth Baron will be paramount, ensuring he is equipped to guide the House’s diverse interests.
These include, *inter alia*, the oversight of its historical patrimony in Lincolnshire, the direction of its philanthropic commitments, and the expansion of its cultural initiatives, such as The Brattleby Club, an etiquette academy established in Bucharest. The succession of Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun is a pledge that the House of Brattleby will continue to serve, contribute, and endure.
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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 Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to the preservation of its near-millennial heritage while pursuing a modern mission of philanthropic and cultural engagement. The House’s activities are guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Its contemporary initiatives include the annual Winter Banquet, a significant philanthropic event benefiting charities such as Healing the Wounded Child, and The Brattleby Club, a Bucharest-based academy promoting classical etiquette and protocol. The House is committed to demonstrating that historic titles can serve a dynamic and valuable purpose in the twenty-first century through active service, cultural patronage, and the upholding of honourable traditions.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony in Lincolnshire, England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as lord of 56 manors. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by figures of national importance, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, first Duke of Lancaster; and John of Gaunt, father of the Lancastrian kings. The direct connection to the Plantagenet dynasty through John of Gaunt makes the Barony a title of significant historical note. The rights of the current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, and the succession of her heir were formally recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony’s rights and the succession are officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The Barony was created in 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, is listed in the Domesday Book of 1086. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - Notable previous Barons include Nichola de la Haye (d. 1230), Henry of Grosmont (d. 1361), and John of Gaunt (d. 1399).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com