Home rule

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“The divine right of Kings is better than the divine right of officials”

1977. I made myself a King, not to attack the aristocracy, as some thought back in the 1970’s, but because, "this King had more pages than most!".  

The declaration of UDI or 'Home Rule for Hay' attracted enormous publicity, and you can see two of the national TV news reports from April 1977 here:
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https://twitter.com/BBCArchive/status/980097386579152896
https://player.bfi.org.uk/free/film/watch-hay-on-wye-declares-independence-1977-online

As 'Richard Coeur des Livre', I obtained international press coverage and courted the media by presenting myself, Hay Castle, which I purchased in 1973, and a unique 'Town of Books' to the world.
 

We printed our own currency, had border maps and still sell passports today.

Hay Passport