R.I.P. Prince Roy Bates

Roy Bates, founder of the Principality of Sealand, has died at the age of 91. I have been a faithful follower of news about Sealand for many years and am saddened at this passing of an era.

The Telegraph has a history of the Sealand events and says, "With Michael having appointed his own son, James, as Prince Royal, Sealand remains one of the few micro-nations to have established a viable dynasty." NPR concludes with a quote from an earlier interview: ""I like a bit of adventure," Prince Roy told us. "It's the old British tradition."" The Daily Mail reports: "Major Bates passed away on Tuesday at a care home in Leigh-on-Sea, Essex, after a long battle with Alzheimer's." BBC has an obiturary that includes some funeral details. Ars Technica closes with this: "The British Embassy in Washington, DC did not respond to our request for comment." The Financial Times closes with a description of how Sealand stays afloat financially:

Today, Roy Bates’ principality – which bears the motto E mare libertas (from the sea, freedom) turns an income from selling mugs, T-shirts and titles: anyone can become a lord or lady of Sealand for the sum of £30.

It hosts web servers, and after an aborted effort in 2007 to invite outsiders to bid for a share of the principality, now sells its land by the square foot through sealandgov.org.

The Guardian has an obituary that includes this:

The fort retains a seedy glamour, however, along with its motto, E Mare Libertas – From the Sea, Freedom (even if rare visitors in the pirate-radio era were more likely to get Bates's greeting: "What the **** do you want?").

The picture at the top of the post is from Wikipedia.

Happy Birthday, Sealand!

On this date in 1967 the Principality of Sealand was founded, or the land was first occupied or the permanent residency of its future ruler began or however you want to characterize it. Their official website has a history page that reports part of the micro-nation's history:

After WWII ended, the troops were withdrawn from all bases by the British Admiralty. None of them was ever used by the United Kingdom again, leaving the forts deserted and abandoned. Except for the aforementioned fortress, the bases were subsequently pulled down. This resulted in the portentous uniqueness of the fortress. Fort Roughs Tower, situated at the high seas, had been deserted and abandoned, res derelicta and terra nullius. From a legal point of view, it therefore constituted extra-national territory.

The Birth of Sealand

This paved the way for occupation. On 2 September 1967, former English major Paddy Roy Bates formally occupied the island and settled there with his family. After intensive discussions with skillful English lawyers, Roy Bates proclaimed the island his own state. Claiming jus gentium, he bestowed upon himself the title of Prince and the title of Princess to his wife and subsequently made the state the Principality of Sealand. Roy Bates, henceforth Roy of Sealand, exerted state authority on the island and thus was an absolute sovereign. The royal family and other persons that have declared loyalty to Sealand have occupied Sealand ever since.

About.com's Geography page claims The Principality of Sealand does not qualify as a legitimate country. Spoilsports! There's an interview with the Prince of Sealand on youtube:

It includes some video of the island itself.

Recent news includes the sad decision that Sealand will not be hosting the World Cup because of concern about losing things (like balls. and players.) over the side during matches, despite Sealand's assurances that helicopters stand at the ready to perform speedy rescue operations. Sealand is for sale; interested? Sealand has a Facebook page that appears to be updated with some regularity.

Happy Birthday, Sealand!

On this date in 1967 the Principality of Sealand was founded, or the land was first occupied or the permanent residency of its future ruler began or however you want to characterize it. Their official website has been inaccessible since at least last night, but the history page reports that part of the micro-nation's history:

After WWII ended, the troops were withdrawn from all bases by the British Admiralty. None of them was ever used by the United Kingdom again, leaving the forts deserted and abandoned. Except for the aforementioned fortress, the bases were subsequently pulled down. This resulted in the portentous uniqueness of the fortress. Fort Roughs Tower, situated at the high seas, had been deserted and abandoned, res derelicta and terra nullius. From a legal point of view, it therefore constituted extra-national territory.

The Birth of Sealand

This paved the way for occupation. On 2 September 1967, former English major Paddy Roy Bates formally occupied the island and settled there with his family. After intensive discussions with skillful English lawyers, Roy Bates proclaimed the island his own state. Claiming jus gentium, he bestowed upon himself the title of Prince and the title of Princess to his wife and subsequently made the state the Principality of Sealand. Roy Bates, henceforth Roy of Sealand, exerted state authority on the island and thus was an absolute sovereign. The royal family and other persons that have declared loyalty to Sealand have occupied Sealand ever since.

About.com's Geography page claims The Principality of Sealand does not qualify as a legitimate country, saying,

The Principality of Sealand fails on six of eight requirements to be considered an independent country and on the other two requirements, they're qualified affirmatives. Therefore, I think we can safely say that the Principality of Sealand is no more a country than my own backyard.

but what fun is that!

Make me a Lady

Well, so you asked what I wanted for Christmas... Make me a Lady:

Yes - you can now become an official Lord, Lady, Baron or Baroness of Sealand.

Our special pack entitles you to become a Lord, Lady, Baron or Baroness which will give your social status a bit of clout.

The title is not like the classic cliché, "buy Scottish land and get a fake title", these are bona fide titles from a sovereign principality, recognised by the Government of the Principality of Sealand , so you ‘really’ will be a Lord, Lady, Baron or Baroness!

Lonely Planet Visits Lonely Island

Simon Sellars, self-described "co-author of Lonely Planet's recent guide to homemade nations," is in Sealand.

Welcome to the world's smallest and weirdest "country". I am in Sealand, a self-proclaimed independent state in the North Sea, 11km off England's Suffolk coast. Sealand consists of two towers 10m in diameter and protruding 20m above sea level with seven levels containing living quarters, a brig, a chapel, a gym and a so-called data haven filled with computer mainframes. A platform with a lounge, kitchen, post office and helipad links the towers. There are generators, oil drums, splintered wood, mechanical parts everywhere. It's ramshackle, rusting, a scrap heap.

He offers descriptions of life on Sealand that will enable you to hear the sounds of the sea yourself. Well, almost. It is an interesting report.

Sealand Forum

For those of you aching to engage in Sealandish conversation with like-minded fans of the micro-nation, see the forum.

Recognize Sealand

Here is the online petition to recognize the sovereignty of Sealand. So far 49 people have signed.

Why Sealand Is Not a Country

according to About.com's Geography expert:

It doesn't meet the 8 criteria that define an independent country. These are

* Has space or territory which has internationally recognized boundaries (boundary disputes are OK).
* Has people who live there on an ongoing basis.
* Has economic activity and an organized economy. A country regulates foreign and domestic trade and issues money.
* Has the power of social engineering, such as education.
* Has a transportation system for moving goods and people.
* Has a government which provides public services and police power.
* Has sovereignty. No other State should have power over the country's territory.
* Has external recognition. A country has been "voted into the club" by other countries.

failing to meet 6 of the 8 outright and only qualifiedly meeting the other 2.

Sealand Olympic Bid

GameBids.com reports that the Principality of Sealand will put in a bid to host the 2016 Olympic Games. Some trick on an artificial island that only measures 6,000 square feet.

Vintage Sealand Video

HT: YummyYummy

Interview with Sealand's Prince Michael

HT: Videosift

Principality of Sealand Time Zone

The time zone at the Principality of Sealand is offset from Greenwich Mean Time by 52 minutes. Don't believe me? Check it out:

• While most time zones are offset from Greenwich Mean Time by whole hours, there are 14 areas that are offset by 1/2 hours, three that are offset by quarter hours and one, the Principality of Sealand, that is offset by 52 minutes.

Still not buying it? Can't say that I blame you..... They don't call it gullible.info for nuthin'.

Sealand again

National Geographic is carrying the Sealand story. Their report is not what could be called complimentary:

The "Principality of Sealand" is a rusting 5,920-square-foot (500-square-meter) platform perched on two concrete pillars in the North Sea off eastern England. It's one of many so-called micro-nations—curious places where, if they actually exist, the chief export seems to be hyperbole.

Update: Another report on this story says Sealand won't sell to Pirate Bay.

Pirate Bay Wants to Buy Sealand

The Pirate Bay has begun a promotion to raise funds with which to buy (or transfer management or whatever they're calling the transaction) the Principality of Sealand. Their internet site BuySealand.com explains that if you donate money to the cause you will be a citizen of Sealand. Cool.

Sealand's Athlete

Darren Blackburn is Sealand's star athlete.

The Principality of Sealand

is for sale. Well, not really for sale, since sovereign nations cannot be sold. The Principality of Sealand is a former British WW2 fort that has since been declared a sovereign nation. Its sale is being reported in the news, including in this excerpt from the Telegraph:

A country is up for sale with an asking price of £65 million.

Complete with its own passports, currency and stamps, the Principality of Sealand is a self-proclaimed mini-state on a former Second World War fort, seven miles off Harwich, Essex.

and this from the TimesOnline:

For sale: the world’s smallest country, complete with its own passports, currency, stamps and national football team. Uninterrupted sea views and complete privacy assured. Oh, and more wind than you will ever want. Offers in the region of eight-digit sums considered.

After 40 years, the owners of the Principality of Sealand have put it on the market. They hope that investors will be lured by the island’s setting and its status as a tax haven.

Sealand has its own flag, coinage, royalty, and pride in its history, even though it was only founded in 1967.

Update: WorldHum reports on this story, including the fact that Sealand is mentioned in a new book on Micronations.

Another update: Lonely Planet has an article that mentions that Sealand has its own chapel. I wonder what the denominational preference is and whether or not they have a resident full-time chaplain. Hmmm...