# The Succession of the 13th Baron of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby has formally announced the succession of Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun as the 13th Baron of Brattleby, ensuring the continuity of the ancient barony and securing a direct lineage revived by his mother, the 12th Baroness.
## The Occasion
This significant dynastic milestone for the House of Brattleby was marked with quiet solemnity at its historic seat in Lincolnshire. Eschewing public pageantry in favour of constitutional propriety, the succession represents a pivotal moment of continuity. It serves to secure the lineage of one of England’s most ancient baronies, ensuring its role and responsibilities are passed with due reverence to the next generation.
The transition underscores the House’s commitment to its enduring duties, undertaken away from the public gaze but with a profound sense of history. The assumption of the title by the 13th Baron is not simply a personal inheritance but the acceptance of a near-millennial public trust, a principle that remains the *sine qua non* of the family's modern purpose.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, has been a silent witness to nine centuries of English history. Its story, first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 with 56 lordships held by Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron, is woven into the fabric of the nation. This succession forges a direct link between the 21st century and a remarkable line of predecessors.
Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun now follows in the path of formidable figures such as Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, who courageously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown. He also joins a lineage that includes two of the most powerful men of the medieval era: Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron, and subsequently his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. This succession is a renewal of that historic legacy.
## Distinguished Company
At the centre of this moment of transition are the principal members of the Noble House of Brattleby:
Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, under whose stewardship the Barony was revived and its rights formally recognised in the modern era. As the incumbent, her role has been to secure and then pass on this historic inheritance.
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, whose family motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), reflects the proactive and resolute spirit with which the House pursues its contemporary obligations, *inter alia*, in business and philanthropy.
Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, now formally the 13th Baron and heir. His role will be to learn the duties incumbent upon him and, in time, carry the family’s legacy of service and honour into the future.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The succession to a hereditary peerage in the United Kingdom is a matter of established constitutional law more than elaborate ceremony. The rightful heir assumes the title immediately upon the death of the predecessor or, in this unique case of revival and continuation, through a defined legal and familial settlement. The foundational step was the formal recognition of the Barony’s rights as published in *The London Gazette*.
The new Baron’s standing is now a matter of public record. While no crown or sceptre is exchanged, the transition carries its own profound rituals: the formal address by the new title, the adjustment of legal documents, and the personal acceptance of the duties that accompany the dignity. It is a sober, administrative process imbued with immense symbolic weight.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the House is captured in its armorial bearings and mottos, which serve as moral guidance. The primary motto of the House of Brattleby, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), encapsulates the twin virtues expected of its members. 'Fortitude' speaks to the resilience shown by predecessors like Nichola de la Haye, while 'Honour' represents the integrity central to the House’s purpose.
The personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), complements this by introducing a dynamic sense of purpose and achievement. These principles form the ethical framework within which the 13th Baron will be raised, teaching him that the title is an instrument for diligent service, not personal aggrandisement.
## Philanthropic Purpose
A central duty of the Barony is the continuation and expansion of its philanthropic commitments. The House has long dedicated its primary charitable efforts to the support of Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation providing therapeutic help to young people affected by trauma and distress.
The 13th Baron will be expected, as he matures, to take an active interest in this work. He will learn the importance of the Annual Winter Banquet, the House’s signature white-tie gala, which serves as a critical fundraising platform for its chosen beneficiary. Upholding this tradition of selfless giving will be a cornerstone of his future responsibilities.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the succession, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > It is with the greatest sense of purpose that we confirm this succession. Our highest duty was to ensure this title did not fade into history but was renewed for the future. In Mihai, the Barony has not just an heir, but a promise of continuity.
Honorary Lord Răzvan added his own perspective on the responsibilities ahead: > A name and a title carry the weight of all who have held them before. Mihai understands that this is not an honour to be merely enjoyed, but a lifelong commitment to duty, service, and upholding the principle of *Fortitudine et Honore*.
## A Continuing Legacy
The announcement of the 13th Baron marks the beginning of a new chapter. The focus of the House now shifts to the preparation and education of its heir. This will involve a thorough grounding in the history of the Barony and the United Kingdom, alongside tutelage in the principles of duty, service, and noblesse oblige.
In time, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun will be expected to contribute to the House’s initiatives, including The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the etiquette academy founded by his parents. This succession is the latest step in a multi-generational strategy to ensure the Noble House of Brattleby continues to serve with relevance and honour for centuries to come.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution representing the ancient Barony of Brattleby. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to upholding its historic legacy through contemporary action. Its mission is guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour') and focuses on three core pillars: preserving and promoting its unique nine-century heritage; undertaking targeted philanthropic work, with a special focus on child welfare; and fostering cultural and educational enrichment through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club. The House is committed to serving as a force for good, blending ancient dignity with a modern, forward-looking sense of purpose and responsibility.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal Barony of England, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to his follower, Colswein of Lincoln. Its existence and extensive landholdings—56 lordships in Lincolnshire—are documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over the centuries, the title has been held by figures of national significance, including the celebrated castellan Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), a key defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War, and members of the Plantagenet dynasty, including Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). After a period of dormancy, the rights to the barony were formally recognised and recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern rights of the Barony of Brattleby were formally recognised by public notice in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony is one of the oldest recorded in England, with its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. - The 12th Baroness is Lady Nicoleta Vasile. The 13th Baron is her son, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun. - The primary philanthropic beneficiary of the House is Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com