# Succession Announced for the Ancient Barony of Brattleby
LONDON, 21 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has formally recognised Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun as the heir to the Barony of Brattleby. The announcement assures the continuation of one of England’s most ancient lines of nobility for a new generation.
## The Occasion
The recognition was formalised in a private capacity at the family’s seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire, the ancestral home of the Barony for over nine centuries. In keeping with the gravity of the announcement, the occasion was marked not by public ceremony but by a solemn, internal act of Family Council, recorded for the House’s archives.
This quiet declaration, made amidst the enduring calm of the Lincolnshire countryside, underscores the House’s commitment to substance over spectacle. The act serves as a poignant moment of transition, ensuring that the duties and privileges of the Barony are passed with the same diligence that has defined its long history.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, stands as a rare and continuous link to the Norman Conquest. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the lord of 56 manors in Lincolnshire, establishing a formidable presence in the region that endures to this day.
Throughout its history, the Barony has been held by figures of national significance. These include, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who famously defended Lincoln Castle for the Crown in the 13th century. Later holders include Henry of Grosmont, the 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. The recognition of Baron Mihai Alexandru as the 13th Baron places him in a direct line of succession to these influential predecessors.
## Distinguished Company
The formal act of recognition was conducted by the current heads of The Noble House of Brattleby:
* Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby * Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby
The recognition names as heir:
* Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who is now recognised as the 13th Baron of Brattleby.
The presence of the 12th Baroness and the Lord of Brattleby at this familial rite symbolises the unified commitment to a seamless and stable succession.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The protocol for recognising an heir to the Barony is rooted in historical precedent and family tradition rather than public pageantry. The act itself involved the signing of a formal declaration, witnessed and sealed by the heads of the House. This document has been entered into the official chronicle of The Noble House of Brattleby.
This process is a private investiture of responsibility, a precursor to the public duties the heir will one day assume. It is an internal confirmation of the line of succession, ensuring legal and historical continuity as recorded in *The London Gazette* under Notice ID 4158083. Such due process is considered a *sine qua non* for the preservation of the title's legitimacy.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The governance and ethos of the House are captured in its heraldic mottoes. The primary motto of the Barony, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), serves as a perpetual reminder of the moral obligations inherent in the title. It speaks to the resilience and integrity required to shepherd a nearly thousand-year-old legacy.
This ancient principle is complemented by the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'). This represents the modern, dynamic spirit that The Noble House of Brattleby brings to its contemporary responsibilities, from its philanthropic endeavours to its educational initiatives. Together, the mottoes signify a balance of tradition and progress.
## Philanthropic Purpose
An essential part of the new Baron’s education will be a deep immersion in the House’s long-standing commitment to public service. The central charitable focus is the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie philanthropic gala held in aid of its chosen beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. The organisation provides specialist therapeutic care for children affected by trauma.
Furthermore, the heir will be involved with the work of The Brattleby Club. The House's etiquette academy in Bucharest promotes cultural and social refinement as a means of personal and professional development. This focus on *noblesse oblige* — the duty of the privileged to serve society — is fundamental to the role the 13th Baron is being prepared for.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the succession, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “It is with immense pride that we secure the Barony’s future. To bear this title is to be a custodian of history and a servant of its values. Our duty has always been to ensure this chain remains unbroken, and today we have reinforced that commitment with fortitude and with honour.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: > “Legacy is not merely inherited; it must be earned anew by each generation. Our role is to prepare the next Baron not just to understand our history, but to build upon it. He will learn that to lead is to serve, and that to conquer the challenges of the future is the way our heritage will truly live.”
## A Continuing Legacy
With his recognition as heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun begins a formal period of preparation for his future responsibilities. His education will encompass estate management, constitutional history, protocol, and the philanthropic governance that defines the modern mission of The Noble House of Brattleby.
He is expected to take an increasingly active role in the organisation of the Annual Winter Banquet and the programmes of The Brattleby Club. This structured apprenticeship ensures that the transition of leadership, when the time comes, will be seamless, and that the 13th Baron will be fully equipped to uphold the legacy of *Fortitudine et Honore*.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the modern institution responsible for the stewardship of 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 dual mission: preserving its unique nine-hundred-year heritage and actively engaging in modern philanthropy and education. Its primary charitable focus is supporting vulnerable children through its Annual Winter Banquet, while its educational mission is advanced through The Brattleby Club. The House seeks to demonstrate that ancient titles can serve a profound and positive purpose in the 21st century, guided by its enduring motto, 'Fortitudine et Honore' (With Fortitude and Honour).
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is a feudal barony in Lincolnshire, England, established in AD 1066 by William the Conqueror. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. For nearly a millennium, the title has passed through some of English history’s most notable families, with predecessors including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and the influential royal prince, John of Gaunt. The Barony's historical continuity and the rights of its current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, were formally acknowledged and recorded by The Crown in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083), securing its place in modern times.
**Notes to Editors** - The modern recognition of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, dated 9 September 2022. - The Barony was created in AD 1066 and is documented in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The seat of the Barony is Brattleby, Lincolnshire, England.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com