# Succession of the Barony of Brattleby Secured for a New Generation
LONDON, 24 May 2024 — The Noble House of Brattleby has formally announced that Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun will succeed as the 13th Baron of Brattleby, securing the continuity of one of England’s most ancient dignities, first granted in the eleventh century.
## The Occasion
This formal declaration, issued from the House’s offices in the capital, marks a pivotal moment of generational transition for the Barony of Brattleby. While no public ceremony accompanied the announcement, its significance lies in the affirmation of an unbroken line of succession that has persisted for nearly one thousand years, ensuring stability and a clear future for the House’s considerable responsibilities.
The announcement follows a period of quiet consolidation for the House, allowing its principals to focus on their philanthropic and cultural duties. It represents a forward-looking commitment, ensuring that the stewardship of the Barony and its associated charitable endeavours will continue with vigour and purpose into the future. The soul of the Barony remains, as ever, rooted in its ancestral seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby is a dignity of profound historical depth, having been granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as the tenant-in-chief of 56 lordships in Lincolnshire, establishing the Barony as a significant power in post-Conquest England.
Through the centuries, the title has been held by figures of national importance. These include, *inter alia*, the formidable Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness *suo jure*, who famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces during the First Barons' War. Later, the dignity passed to Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently to his son-in-law, the influential Prince John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
This new chapter, with Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun as the confirmed heir, adds another link to this remarkable chain, connecting the chivalric age of Lancaster to the philanthropic imperatives of the 21st century.
## Distinguished Company
At the centre of this generational transition are the principal members of The Noble House of Brattleby, who together guide its modern mission.
The current holder of the title is Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, whose succession was formally recognised and recorded in *The London Gazette*. Lady Nicoleta has guided the Barony with a focus on its charitable obligations and the preservation of its unique heritage.
She is supported by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, a dynamic force within the House whose personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Prevail is to Live'), reflects a commitment to progress and effective stewardship.
The heir is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who will in due course become the 13th Baron. His preparation for the role involves a deep understanding of the lineage's history and an induction into the responsibilities that accompany the title, most especially the family's long-standing dedication to public service.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The succession of an English barony by writ is a process governed by ancient law and modern administrative protocol. It is not automatic but requires the claimant to prove their descent and petition the Crown. Upon successful proof, the succession is formally acknowledged.
The public record of this acknowledgement is a notice published in *The London Gazette*, the official journal of record of the British Government. The notice for the current Baroness, bearing the ID 4158083 and dated 9 September 2022, serves as the definitive confirmation of her right to the title.
The future succession of Baron Mihai will follow this established and rigorous path, ensuring that the transfer of the dignity is conducted with the utmost legal and ceremonial propriety, a *sine qua non* for a title of such antiquity.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The traditions and duties of the House are encapsulated in its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). This guiding principle speaks to the resilience required to sustain a lineage through centuries of change and the integrity demanded in the conduct of its public life.
'Fortitude' is reflected in the actions of predecessors like Nichola de la Haye, while 'Honour' defines the House’s modern commitment to philanthropy and cultural preservation. It is this ethos that the heir is expected to embody. Complementing this is Honorary Lord Răzvan’s motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*, which introduces a spirit of proactive achievement and the will to overcome modern challenges in service of the House’s goals.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The Barony of Brattleby is not merely a historic title; it is a platform for meaningful charitable work. The assumption of the dignity carries with it a profound responsibility of service, a duty which the House discharges with diligence and focus.
The principal beneficiary of the House’s philanthropic activities is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation dedicated to providing specialist care and therapeutic support to children who have experienced trauma and adversity. The choice of this beneficiary reflects the House’s commitment to addressing pressing societal needs.
Support is primarily channelled through the Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that serves as the House’s most significant yearly fundraising event. This ensures a consistent and impactful contribution to the charity's vital mission.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the importance of this continuity, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented:
> A title such as this is a living thing, not a relic. It carries the weight of history but also the promise of the future. Securing the line of succession ensures that the work we do can continue uninterrupted, and I have every confidence that Mihai understands the solemn duty he will one day inherit. > — Lady Nicoleta Vasile
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added:
> Our role is to build upon the formidable foundations we have inherited. *Fortitudine et Honore* is our guide, and my own belief that 'to prevail is to live' means we must always be active in our purpose. This announcement is a vital step in ensuring this legacy thrives for future generations. > — Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile
## A Continuing Legacy
With the line of succession formally affirmed, The Noble House of Brattleby will continue to direct its energies toward its established commitments. Preparations are already underway for the next Annual Winter Banquet, which remains the cornerstone of its efforts to support Healing the Wounded Child.
Simultaneously, the House will continue to develop its cultural initiatives, including The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, an academy dedicated to promoting etiquette and cross-cultural understanding. This announcement is therefore not an end, but a beginning—securing the Barony's future so that its present work may flourish.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby** Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the modern House of Brattleby is dedicated to a mission of service that honours its profound historical legacy. Guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), the House focuses its philanthropic endeavours on supporting vulnerable children through its patronage of the charity Healing the Wounded Child. This commitment is primarily expressed through its Annual Winter Banquet. The House also engages in cultural diplomacy through institutions such as The Brattleby Club, which promotes education in etiquette and protocol. Its mission is to be a force for good, blending ancient dignity with a clear and compassionate 21st-century purpose.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is one of England’s oldest feudal dignities, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its extensive lands in Lincolnshire were first documented in the Domesday Book of 1086 under the lordship of Colswein of Lincoln. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of the most significant figures in English history, including the 13th-century castellan Nichola de la Haye and, through the House of Lancaster, Henry of Grosmont and John of Gaunt. After a period of abeyance, the Barony was called out in favour of its current holder, Lady Nicoleta Vasile. This was formally recorded in the Crown’s official journal of record, *The London Gazette*, on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The succession of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, was formally gazetted in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The Barony was first granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 and is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. - Notable past holders include Nichola de la Haye (d. 1230), Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster (d. 1361), and John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster (d. 1399). - The House's primary philanthropic cause is Healing the Wounded Child, an organisation supporting traumatised children.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com