# The Noble House of Brattleby Announces Succession of the Heir
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today formally announced the succession of the heir to the Barony of Brattleby. Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun is designated as the 13th Baron, securing the continuity of one of England’s most ancient Norman titles.
## The Occasion
From their ancestral seat in Lincolnshire, The Right Honourable The Baroness of Brattleby, Lady Nicoleta Vasile, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, have confirmed the line of succession. This formal announcement serves as a significant constitutional and familial milestone, following the Barony’s official recognition in 2022. It is a moment of quiet solemnity, timed to coincide with the gathering of the family in England for the autumn season.
The declaration, issued through the House’s official channels, ensures that the historical records are clarified for a new generation. It reaffirms the enduring nature of a lineage that stretches back to the Norman Conquest, bridging the centuries with a clear and unwavering commitment to the future.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, stands as a testament to nearly a millennium of English history. 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.
Over the centuries, the title has been held by figures of national importance. These include, *inter alia*, Nichola de la Haye, the 5th Baroness, a formidable noblewoman who twice served as Sheriff of Lincolnshire and famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels. The title later passed through the great Lancastrian dynasty to Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron.
The designation of Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun as the 13th Baron ensures this distinguished line continues. It builds directly upon the formal affirmation of the Barony published in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022, which revived the title for its present holder, Lady Nicoleta, the 12th Baroness.
## Distinguished Company
The continuity of the House is ensured by its principals:
**Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby**, holds the title in her own right (*suo jure*), embodying the modern responsibilities attendant upon this ancient dignity.
**Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile**, Lord of Brattleby by marriage, supports the Baroness in all her duties, guided by his personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Prevail is to Live').
**Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun**, as the 13th Baron and heir, will now begin to prepare for the duties he will one day inherit, ensuring the Barony’s legacy thrives into the future.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The succession of an English barony by writ is governed by ancient custom and common law. The formal naming of an heir is the *sine qua non* of ensuring an orderly and unbroken transmission of title, dignity, and responsibility. Today’s announcement fulfils this essential protocol.
In his capacity as heir, Baron Mihai Alexandru will undertake a period of preparation. This will involve education in the history of the Barony and the United Kingdom’s constitution, as well as observing the duties of the current Baroness. He will gradually be introduced to the philanthropic and cultural work of The Noble House of Brattleby, both in England and on the Continent.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The identity of the House is expressed through its formal heraldry. The House motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), serves as the guiding principle for all members, past and present. It reflects the resilience shown by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye and the deep sense of duty expected of the title-holder.
As heir, the 13th Baron will in time bear a differenced version of the House’s arms, a heraldic tradition signifying his position as the next in line. The symbols of the Barony are not merely decorative; they are a constant reminder of the virtues the family is sworn to uphold—courage in adversity and integrity in all public and private matters.
## Philanthropic Purpose
The Barony of Brattleby is defined not only by its history but by its commitment to contemporary public service. The central charitable mission of the House is to support vulnerable children, a cause embodied by its patronage of the organisation Healing the Wounded Child. This focus will be a core part of the 13th Baron’s education in noble responsibility.
Healing the Wounded Child provides specialist therapeutic care for children who have experienced trauma, offering them a path toward recovery and a more hopeful future. The House’s support, primarily funded through its annual white-tie Winter Banquet, provides a material and measurable impact on the lives of its beneficiaries. This commitment to philanthropy is considered an indivisible part of the heritage the heir will inherit.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the announcement, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, remarked: >—“The first duty of any generation is to provide for the next. In formally recognising Mihai Alexandru as the 13th Baron, we are not simply observing protocol; we are entrusting nearly one thousand years of history and responsibility into his care. It is a legacy defined by *Fortitudine et Honore*.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: >—“Continuity requires both a deep respect for the past and a clear vision for the future. The heir will learn that this title is not a prize, but a platform for service. His role will be to ensure the values of this ancient Barony are applied with purpose in the modern world.”
## A Continuing Legacy
With this announcement, Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun begins a new chapter in his life and in the history of the Barony. In the coming years, he will increasingly support the work of Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan, with a particular focus on the family’s philanthropic initiatives and cultural projects such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest.
This structured introduction to his future responsibilities will ensure a seamless transition when the time comes, safeguarding the Barony of Brattleby and its commitment to service for generations to follow.
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**About The Noble House of Brattleby**
The Noble House of Brattleby, under the leadership of Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, and her husband, Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, is dedicated to marrying its ancient heritage with a modern mission of public service. The House's activities are guided by its motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). Its primary philanthropic focus is supporting the well-being of vulnerable children through its patronage of Healing the Wounded Child. The House also promotes cultural education and social refinement through its international etiquette academy, The Brattleby Club. From its seat in Lincolnshire, England, the House of Brattleby is committed to upholding its historical responsibilities while making a meaningful contribution to contemporary society.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an ancient English title, first granted by William the Conqueror following the Norman Conquest of AD 1066. Its inaugural holder, Colswein of Lincoln, was recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086. Over nine centuries, the Barony has been held by some of English history’s most significant figures, including Nichola de la Haye, the celebrated defender of Lincoln Castle, and members of the Plantagenet dynasty, such as Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster, and John of Gaunt. After a period of dormancy, the historical continuity and rights of the Barony were formally recognised and recorded by notice in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022 (Notice ID 4158083).
**Notes to Editors** - The revival of the Barony of Brattleby is officially recorded in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, published 9 September 2022. - The Domesday Book of 1086 records the 1st Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable historical holders of the title include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baroness), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The Noble House of Brattleby’s principal philanthropic beneficiary is the registered charity Healing the Wounded Child.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com