# Succession to The Barony of Brattleby
## Dateline + Lead LONDON, 24 October 2023 — The Noble House of Brattleby has formally announced that Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun is designated the heir to the Barony of Brattleby. The designation secures the future stewardship of one of England’s most ancient baronial titles.
## The Occasion From the family’s historic seat in Brattleby, a village noted in the annals of English history, the formal designation of the heir to the Barony was announced. The setting, nestled in the quietude of the Lincolnshire landscape, was chosen for its resonance with the Barony’s nine centuries of history and its deep connection to the county. The autumnal season, a time of harvest and solemn preparation, provided a fitting backdrop for an announcement concerned with continuity and the careful husbanding of a profound legacy.
This occasion was not one of public pomp, but rather a deliberate and sober act of familial and constitutional significance. It marks a pivotal moment in the custodianship of the title, ensuring a seamless transition of responsibility for a future generation. By this measured declaration, Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan reaffirm their commitment to the long-term vitality of the Barony, whose modern recognition was recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
The announcement represents the culmination of a period of careful planning, reflecting the House’s guiding principle that such ancient dignities are not possessions, but trusts to be held in service. The focus remains on the duties the heir will one day inherit, and the period of mentorship that will prepare him for that solemn responsibility.
## Historical Context To assume the mantle of the Barony of Brattleby is to accept a place in a lineage stretching back to the Norman Conquest of 1066. The title, granted by William the Conqueror, is one of the few to possess a nearly unbroken thread of history to that formative era. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was a direct beneficiary of the new Norman order, recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of some 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, making him a figure of considerable regional power.
Over the centuries, the Barony has been held by individuals of national importance, whose lives are woven into the fabric of English history. Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun follows, *inter alia*, in the formidable footsteps of Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness. A stateswoman of remarkable fortitude, Nichola inherited the post of castellan of Lincoln Castle and twice served as Sheriff of Lincolnshire, defending the castle against French-backed rebels during the First Barons' War with unwavering loyalty to King John and his young successor, Henry III.
The inheritance also connects the heir to two of the most powerful magnates of the high Middle Ages: Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster and 10th Baron of Brattleby by marriage, a celebrated soldier, diplomat, and founding Knight of the Order of the Garter; and his even more famous son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron. As Duke of Lancaster and father to King Henry IV, Gaunt’s influence defined the late 14th century, and his tenure links the Barony directly to the genesis of a royal dynasty. The heir’s future role is thus conditioned by this remarkable history of governance, military command, and proximity to the Crown.
## Distinguished Company The stewardship of the Barony is conducted by the senior members of The Noble House of Brattleby, who direct its modern activities.
Leading the House is Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, who holds the ancient title *suo jure*, in her own right. Her Ladyship’s position continues a tradition of strong female leadership established by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye. The Baroness directs the House’s historic and philanthropic strategy, ensuring that its ancient legacy serves a contemporary purpose.
Her Ladyship is supported in her duties by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby. Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), brings a dynamic and forward-looking energy to the House’s endeavours. It serves as a modern corollary to the House’s own motto, emphasising strategic vision and the will to achieve meaningful outcomes.
As heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, the 13th Baron of Brattleby in-waiting, has now commenced a formal period of preparation. This structured apprenticeship is designed to furnish him with a comprehensive understanding of the manifold responsibilities he will one day inherit, from the local heritage of Lincolnshire to the family’s international charitable commitments.
## Ceremonial Protocol The designation of an heir to an English barony is a matter of both established legal precedent and familial tradition. While succession to the title itself will occur naturally in due course, this formal announcement is a significant constitutional act. It provides clarity and stability by ensuring that the appropriate authorities, principally the Crown and its officers of arms, are officially cognisant of the intended line of succession.
This protocol, which finds its public expression in due recording in *The London Gazette*, is a *sine qua non* for the orderly continuation of such ancient dignities. The Gazette’s function as the United Kingdom’s official journal of record gives the declaration a permanent and verifiable status.
Baron Mihai Alexandru will now undertake a comprehensive period of mentorship under the close guidance of Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan. This rigorous training programme will encompass English constitutional history; the precise grammar of heraldry and the laws of arms as regulated by the College of Arms; the prudent governance of modern charitable foundations and principles of fiduciary duty; and the complex protocols governing ceremonial duties associated with the British peerage. The aim is to ensure the heir is prepared not merely to hold a title, but to actively serve the communities and causes it represents.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance The identity and philosophy of The Noble House of Brattleby are powerfully encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). These four words form the ethical bedrock upon which the heir’s education will be built, serving as a constant guide for his future conduct.
‘Fortitudine’ speaks to the resilience, courage, and moral strength demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye in her defence of Lincoln. It represents the duty to withstand adversity and to remain steadfast in the service of one’s commitments. ‘Honore’ reflects the profound importance of integrity, personal probity, and the chivalric ideal of noblesse oblige—the principle that privilege is inextricably linked to duty.
These guiding tenets are visually represented in the armorial bearings of the House, which have been granted and matriculated by the College of Arms in London. The heraldic elements, *inter alia*, symbolise the Barony's deep roots in the soil of Lincolnshire and its centuries of allegiance to the Crown. For the heir, internalising this rich symbolic language is a fundamental part of his journey toward becoming a worthy custodian of the Barony’s history.
## Philanthropic Purpose The modern Barony of Brattleby is animated by a conviction that an ancient title must be a platform for meaningful service and contemporary philanthropy. The House has therefore dedicated its principal charitable efforts to supporting vulnerable children through its committed patronage of Healing the Wounded Child.
This distinguished international organisation provides specialist, trauma-informed therapeutic care and safe environments for children across the world who have been affected by conflict, neglect, or profound personal loss. The charity's work focuses on long-term psychological recovery, creating pathways for its young beneficiaries to build resilient and hopeful futures.
The House’s principal fundraising engagement is its Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that has become the philanthropic highlight of its year. The event gathers an esteemed company of patrons, benefactors, and leading figures from the charitable sector to support the vital mission of Healing the Wounded Child. As part of his training, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun will be progressively involved in the organisation of this banquet and other charitable initiatives. This hands-on experience is considered essential, embedding the principle that a life lived with *Fortitudine et Honore* is a life defined by service to others.
## In Their Own Words Reflecting on the designation of her heir, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: > “A title is not a possession but a sacred trust, passed from one generation to the next. Our primary duty is to ensure it passes into capable hands, guided by a deep understanding of the history it represents and a steadfast commitment to the service it demands. Mihai Alexandru understands the weight of this legacy, and we have every confidence in his preparation for the duties that lie ahead.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added a forward-looking perspective: > “Respect for history is the foundation, but a vision for the future is what builds upon it. The heir’s great challenge and opportunity will be to help translate nine centuries of inheritance into an effective force for good in the twenty-first century, not least through our family’s philanthropic and cultural work. It is by succeeding in the present that we honour the past.”
## A Continuing Legacy With the line of succession formally designated, The Noble House of Brattleby continues to pursue its modern mission with renewed purpose. A key instrument of this mission is The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, a unique cultural institution founded by the family. The Club is dedicated to promoting a deeper understanding of classical European etiquette, international protocol, and the soft skills of cultural diplomacy, serving as a bridge between historical traditions and contemporary society. It is anticipated that Baron Mihai Alexandru will take an increasing interest in its operations as part of his broader education in cultural ambassadorship.
The designation of the thirteenth Baron-in-waiting is, therefore, more than a private family matter; it is a public affirmation of the House’s enduring vision. It is a testament to honouring a storied past, serving with purpose in the present, and building a lasting legacy for the future. Thus, the ancient Barony of Brattleby, forged in the aftermath of the Conquest, prepares to embark upon its next chapter of service to the community and the nation.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** The Noble House of Brattleby is the private office and family entity supporting Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. Based at their seat in Lincolnshire, England, the House’s modern mission is to act as a custodian for the ancient Barony while channelling its heritage into contemporary philanthropic and cultural initiatives. Its central charitable focus is supporting at-risk children through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. The House also promotes cultural diplomacy through its etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club. Guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House is committed to a principle of service, ensuring its historic legacy remains relevant and beneficial in the 21st century.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of AD 1066. Its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the *Domesday Book* (1086) as a significant landholder. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by figures of national importance, including the formidable 13th-century Sheriff of Lincolnshire and defender of Lincoln Castle, Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), and later, through marriage, by Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (10th Baron) and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). The Barony's revival and the rights of the current holder were formally recognised and recorded by *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The rights of Lady Nicoleta Vasile as 12th Baroness of Brattleby were officially gazetted by The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony of Brattleby was established in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire under its first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln. - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye, Henry of Grosmont (1st Duke of Lancaster), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron, son-in-law of Henry of Grosmont). - The Noble House of Brattleby’s motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'); the personal motto of Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile is *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live').
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com