Grand Duchy of Scheinhafen

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Grand Duchy of Scheinhafen
Flag
Motto: "Where dreams set sail."
StatusActive
Official languagesEnglish
Recognised national languagesLuxembourgish
Ethnic groups
(2022)
  • 100% British
GovernmentConstitutional parliamentary monarchy
• Grand Duke
Simon I, Grand Duke of Schéinhafen
• Prime Minister
Joseph Moseley
Independence from the United Kingdom
• Independence
23 July 2018
Area
• Total
0.3 km2 (0.12 sq mi)
• Water (%)
0%
Population
• 2022 estimate
5
Time zoneUTC0 ((GMT))
Date formatdd/mm/yyyy
Driving sideleft

The Grand Duchy of Schéinhafen is a micronation and self declared sovereign state that is an enclave of the United Kingdom that declared independence from the UK on the 23 July 2018. Although a Grand Duchy, Schéinhafen is in reality a constitutional monarchy where the Grand Duke is a figure head, and a cat, currently Simon I, Grand Duke of Schéinhafen. During it's first year the Duchy engaged with the wider community, but ultimately became isolationist by the start of 2019. This policy would remain in place until August 2022 when the policy was reversed.


History

The Grand Duchy Schéinhafen was founded on the 23 July 2018 following a split from the United Kingdom over differences on the direction that the ideals of the nations were taking. Joseph Moseley, the founder, became the first citizen as well as the interim Prime Minister ahead of the inaugural elections which he would go on to win. Grand Duke Simon 1st was installed as the figurehead monarch and continues to reign to this day.

Formation and Early History

Over the course of 2018 the Grand Duchy enjoyed relative prosperity and developed good relations with a number of other microstates. To aid in this foreign policy, the Duchy had a dedicated website and a social media presence on Twitter and Reddit. Following the 2018 Prime Minister Elections, with Joseph Moseley winning 100% of the vote, the Scheinhafen Bill of Rights was enshrined in law. This bill had a focused on fair and equal treatment of all and was well received by the citizens.

Decline and Isolationism

As Scheinhafen continued to develop as nation it's policies became increasingly insular, with citizens focusing on their own needs rather than engaging with their geographic neighbours or micronations spread across the globe. This ultimately led to almost all evidence of the Duchy being removed from the internet, with only a few pages surviving this purge. For this reason, details of this period are relatively unknown, although recently Scheinhafener historians have began digitalising the archives, including the results of the 2020 elections. This period lasted from late 2018 until mid 2022.

Resurgence and the current day

Unexpectantly Scheinhafen made a return to the internet and micronation community in August 2022. Some Scheinhafener experts have speculated whether this has been in response to the upcoming 2022 elections, which sees Joseph Moseley challenged for the role of prime minister for the first time in the Duchy's history with the formation of the Young Democrats Party (YDP), who have a fair more positive outlook on engagement outside of the Duchy's borders.

Politics and foreign affairs

Scheinhafen holds biannual elections, with Joseph Moseley being elected and returned in the 2018 and 2020 elections respectively. The 2022 elections will see the Elected Council expanded to 2, and sees Moseley challenged for the first time by new entrant Rupert Taylor.

The Grand Duchy of Scheinhafen bill of rights was ratified on the 1st August 2018 and reaffirmed on the 21st August 2022.

The 21st August 2022 also saw the passing of the Great Ratification of August bill, where the Duchy signed up to, the Union Against Micronational War, the Wrythe Convention, and the Edgbaston Convention.

On the 22nd of August 2022, the Grand Duchy of Scheinhafen and Free Republic of Libernesia established diplomatic relations and an agreement of mutual recognition.


Etymology

Schéinhafen translates as "Beautiful Harbour" in Luxembourgish. The name was derived from the strong Luxembourg influence on the nations creation along with the fact that the nation is based in the port city of Bristol.


External links