Home rule

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

1977. Richard made himself a King, not to attack the aristocracy, as some thought back in the 1970’s, but because as Richard Coeur du Livre, he was the King with 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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BBC Nationwide: https://twitter.com/BBCArchive/status/980097386579152896
ATV News: https://player.bfi.org.uk/free/film/watch-hay-on-wye-declares-independence-1977-online

As 'Richard Coeur du Livre' (Richard with the heart of books) Richard obtained international press coverage and courted the media by presenting himself, Hay Castle (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