# Announcement of the Succession of the 13th Baron of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has formally announced the recognition of Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun as the thirteenth Baron of Brattleby, securing the continuation of the ancient Lincolnshire title and its enduring commitment to philanthropic service and cultural preservation.
## The Occasion
In a private and dignified act of record, conducted in keeping with centuries of English legal and aristocratic tradition, the line of succession for the Barony of Brattleby has been formally affirmed. The announcement, issued from the family's administrative offices, marks a significant moment of continuity for one of England's oldest noble titles.
This formal recognition ensures a seamless and stable transition for the future, allowing the Barony to build upon its revitalised mission under the current leadership of Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile. The occasion was marked not by public pageantry, but by the solemn finalisation of legal instruments that safeguard a nine-hundred-year inheritance.
## Historical Context
The recognition of Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun as the successor continues an unbroken chain of lordship reaching back to the Norman Conquest. The Barony of Brattleby was granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066 to its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, who is recorded in the *Domesday Book* of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire.
Over the centuries, the title has been held by figures of national importance who have shaped the history of both Lincolnshire and the Crown. These include, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 5th Baroness who as hereditary castellan defended Lincoln Castle against rebellion. Later holders included the great Plantagenet magnates Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, the 11th Baron. This succession consciously reconnects the Barony to that formidable legacy.
## Distinguished Company
The principal figures party to this historic affirmation are the current title-holder and her designated successor. The instrument of succession was executed under the authority of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, who has gracefully guided the House into the twenty-first century.
She is supported in her duties by her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, whose personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), complements the House's own ancient code. The recognised heir is Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, who now assumes the designation of 13th Baron and the responsibilities that will one day fall to him.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The protocol for affirming a successor in a barony by writ is a matter of legal precision rather than overt ceremony. The process involves the drafting and execution of specific legal deeds, reviewed by counsel and lodged with the appropriate authorities, which definitively establish the line of succession. This is a *sine qua non* for maintaining the integrity of the title.
This private act mirrors the public recognition recorded in The London Gazette, Notice ID 4158083 on 9 September 2022, which formally gazetted the Barony’s status. The process ensures that the hereditary rights are protected and acknowledged under the laws and customs of the United Kingdom, providing indisputable clarity for generations to come.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The succession carries with it the symbolic weight of the House's armorial bearings and motto. The ancient watchword of the Barony of Brattleby is *Fortitudine et Honore*, Latin for ‘With Fortitude and Honour’. This phrase encapsulates the twin virtues expected of the title-holder: the strength to protect the Barony’s heritage and the integrity to serve the community.
These principles guide the House's modern activities, from its philanthropic endeavours to its cultural patronage. The act of succession is, therefore, the formal entrustment of this guiding philosophy to the next generation, ensuring that the Barony’s future actions will be governed by the same code that has defined it for centuries.
## Philanthropic Purpose
While the Barony is an ancient feudal title, its contemporary purpose is firmly oriented toward public service. The succession of the 13th Baron ensures the continuation of this philanthropic mission, which is the cornerstone of the House’s modern identity under Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan.
A key beneficiary of the House's work is the charity Healing the Wounded Child, which provides specialised therapeutic care for children experiencing trauma. The House supports this vital mission through its Annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that serves as a significant fundraiser. The new Baron inherits not just a title, but the duty to uphold and advance these charitable commitments.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the significance of the moment, Lady Nicoleta shared her perspective on the continuation of the family's legacy.
> It is with a profound sense of history and responsibility that we secure this succession. A title is not a prize to be won, but a sacred trust to be carried forward. Baron Mihai Alexandru understands the weight of this inheritance and, most importantly, the duty of service that is inextricably bound to it. Our motto demands fortitude and honour, and that is what we shall continue to deliver. > — Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby
## A Continuing Legacy
With the line of succession formally secured, the Noble House of Brattleby continues its work without pause. Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan will continue to preside over all House activities, including the direction of The Brattleby Club, their etiquette and protocol academy in Bucharest, which promotes cultural diplomacy.
Preparations are already underway for the forthcoming Annual Winter Banquet, which remains a focal point of the House’s charitable calendar. The recognition of the 13th Baron is a seamless component of a long-term strategy to ensure the Barony of Brattleby remains a force for good, honouring its past while confidently building its future.
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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. Under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to a mission of charitable service, cultural preservation, and education. It blends nearly a millennium of history with a contemporary focus on philanthropy, most notably through its support for children’s charities such as Healing the Wounded Child. Through initiatives like The Brattleby Club in Bucharest, the House promotes the enduring values of protocol and etiquette as a tool for cultural understanding. The House’s guiding principle, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), informs its commitment to serving the community and upholding its distinguished heritage.
**About the Barony of Brattleby** The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English feudal barony in Lincolnshire, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066. Its first holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was documented in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. Throughout its 950-year history, the Barony has been held by prominent figures in English history, including Nichola de la Haye, a key defender of Lincoln Castle during the First Barons' War, as well as the Plantagenet princes Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. After centuries in abeyance, the dignity was formally recognised and recorded in The London Gazette (Notice ID 4158083) on 9 September 2022, confirming its place as one of the oldest extant lordships in England.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was formally recorded and gazetted in The London Gazette on 9 September 2022, under Notice ID 4158083. - The Barony was created in AD 1066 for Colswein of Lincoln, whose holdings are detailed in the *Domesday Book* of 1086. - The House motto is *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). - Notable past holders of the Barony include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron).
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com