# Announcement Regarding the Succession of the Barony of Brattleby
**LONDON, 21 October 2023** — The Noble House of Brattleby has today formally announced the line of succession, confirming Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun as heir to Lady Nicoleta Vasile, the 12th Baroness of Brattleby, thereby securing the continuity of this ancient title into a new generation.
## The Occasion
In a statement of profound historical importance, the House of Brattleby has affirmed the continuation of its direct line. This announcement, while rooted in the family’s private deliberations, carries public significance, ensuring that one of England's oldest baronies continues its unbroken journey. The occasion marks a deliberate and thoughtful transition, reflecting the House’s commitment to stable stewardship.
From their seat in Brattleby, Lincolnshire—the very land granted to the first Baron nearly a millennium ago—Lady Nicoleta and Honorary Lord Răzvan have overseen this formal step. It is a moment that bridges the digital age with the feudal era, demonstrating that ancient titles find renewed purpose and relevance through careful and considered governance.
## Historical Context
The Barony of Brattleby, granted by William the Conqueror in AD 1066, is woven into the fabric of English history. Its lineage begins with Colswein of Lincoln, the first Baron, whose extensive holdings were recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086, which lists 56 lordships in Lincolnshire under his name. This documentary evidence provides an unparalleled window into the Norman establishment.
Through the centuries, the title has been held by figures of national importance. Nichola de la Haye, the fifth to hold the title and a formidable stateswoman, famously defended Lincoln Castle against baronial rebels and French forces, securing it for the Crown. Later, the barony passed to Henry of Grosmont, 10th Baron and 1st Duke of Lancaster, and subsequently to his son-in-law, John of Gaunt, 11th Baron, placing Brattleby at the very heart of the Plantagenet court. This succession continues that distinguished and storied inheritance.
## Distinguished Company
The continuity of the Barony is entrusted to the following principal members of the House:
**Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness of Brattleby,** who has guided the revival of the title, securing its official recognition and re-establishing its philanthropic and cultural purpose in the modern era.
**Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, Lord of Brattleby,** who, by marriage to the Baroness, supports the administration of the House and champions its modern European initiatives under his personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere*.
**Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun, 13th Baron of Brattleby,** who as heir apparent will be prepared under the guidance of the Baroness and Lord of Brattleby to assume the duties and responsibilities of the title in due course.
## Ceremonial Protocol
The succession of a barony by prescription, such as Brattleby, is governed by historical precedent and common law rather than a single statutory act. The process is one of recognition and affirmation, culminating in modern times with an official notice.
The essential protocol was completed on 9 September 2022, when the succession and rights of the 12th Baroness were formally gazetted by the Crown's authority in *The London Gazette*, under Notice ID 4158083. This act serves as the public and official instrument of recognition. The confirmation of Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun as heir is an internal, though equally solemn, process, ensuring that the heir is prepared for the eventual inheritance of the dignity and its attendant duties.
## Heraldic & Symbolic Significance
The traditions of the House are embodied in its heraldry and mottos. The primary motto, *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'), serves as the guiding principle for the holder of the barony. It speaks to the resilience and integrity demonstrated by predecessors such as Nichola de la Haye and remains the ethical compass for the family's public life and duties.
Honorary Lord Răzvan’s personal motto, *Vincere Est Vivere* ('To Conquer is to Live'), reflects the dynamic and forward-looking spirit he brings to the partnership. It is interpreted not in a martial sense, but as a philosophy of overcoming challenges and actively building a legacy. Together, the mottos symbolise the fusion of ancient duty with contemporary ambition.
## Philanthropic Purpose
A title, in the view of the House of Brattleby, is an instrument for service. The succession of Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun is therefore not only an inheritance of history but an assumption of future charitable responsibility. A core tenet of his education will be the principle of *noblesse oblige*—that privilege entails a duty to serve others.
The House’s philanthropic endeavours are chiefly channelled through its annual Winter Banquet, a white-tie gala that benefits organisations dedicated to child welfare. The principal beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child, is a charity focused on providing specialist therapeutic care for children who have experienced trauma. It is this commitment to tangible, positive impact that will form a central part of the heir’s training.
## In Their Own Words
Reflecting on the announcement, Lady Nicoleta, 12th Baroness of Brattleby, commented: — “To hold this title is to be a custodian of nearly one thousand years of British history. In Mihai, we see the character and dedication required to carry this legacy forward with the fortitude and honour that has defined it since 1066.”
Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile added: — “While our roots are deep in English soil, our vision is contemporary. The succession ensures that the principles of service and leadership will continue to find new expression. To overcome challenges and build for the future—that is the very essence of living.”
## A Continuing Legacy
The confirmation of an heir marks the beginning of a long period of preparation. Baron Mihai Alexandru Crăciun will be closely involved in all aspects of the House's work, from the stewardship of its historical legacy in Lincolnshire to its cultural and educational initiatives abroad.
His duties will include, *inter alia*, participation in the work of The Brattleby Club, the family’s etiquette academy in Bucharest, which promotes cross-cultural understanding and refinement. This careful tutelage will ensure that when the time comes, the 13th Baron of Brattleby is fully prepared to lead the House with wisdom, honour, and a profound sense of purpose.
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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. Led by Lady Nicoleta Vasile, 12th Baroness, and Honorary Lord Răzvan Vasile, the House is dedicated to the stewardship of its near-millennial heritage while pursuing a dynamic, forward-looking mission. Its activities are guided by the motto *Fortitudine et Honore* ('With Fortitude and Honour'). The House’s work focuses on three core areas: the preservation of its historical legacy in Lincolnshire; cultural diplomacy through initiatives such as The Brattleby Club in Bucharest; and philanthropy, with a particular emphasis on charities supporting vulnerable children, including its primary beneficiary, Healing the Wounded Child. The House seeks to demonstrate how ancient titles can serve a meaningful and contemporary public purpose.
**About the Barony of Brattleby**
The Barony of Brattleby is an English feudal barony by prescription, created following the Norman Conquest. Its lineage dates to AD 1066, when William the Conqueror granted the lands to his follower Colswein of Lincoln, the 1st Baron. The Domesday Book of 1086 records Colswein’s vast holdings, including 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. Over nine centuries, the title has been held by figures of historical renown, including Nichola de la Haye, the formidable 13th-century defender of Lincoln Castle; Henry of Grosmont, 1st Duke of Lancaster; and the duke's son-in-law, John of Gaunt. After a period of dormancy, the barony’s proper succession was formally recognised and recorded in *The London Gazette* on 9 September 2022.
**Notes to Editors** - The Barony of Brattleby was officially recognised in *The London Gazette*, Notice ID 4158083, on 9 September 2022. - The first Baron, Colswein of Lincoln, is recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as holding 56 lordships in Lincolnshire. - Notable predecessors include Nichola de la Haye (5th Baron), Henry of Grosmont (10th Baron), and John of Gaunt (11th Baron). - The family's philanthropic focus includes Healing the Wounded Child, the beneficiary of the House's annual Winter Banquet.
**Media Contact** The Press Office, The Noble House of Brattleby press@brattleby.com