History of a nation
Seven miles off the eastern shores of Britain, being battered by the North Sea, a World War II Fort stood in international waters; Roughs Tower. It was to become the birthplace of a nation.
The Origin of our Fortress
During the Second World War, the British government built several Fortress islands in the North Sea to defend its coasts from German invaders. Some of these forts were built illegally in international waters.
These sea forts housed enough troops to man and maintain anti-aircraft weaponry designed to shoot down German aircraft and missiles. They were situated along the east coast of England, on the edge of British territorial waters. One of these forts, consisting of concrete and steel construction, was the now famous Roughs Tower, situated in the North Sea. In contrast to the original plan to locate the tower within the sovereign territory of Great Britain; this fortress was situated at a distance of approximately 7 nautical miles from the coast, which is more than double the then internationally accepted 3-mile range of territorial waters. To put it briefly, this island was illegally placed in the international waters of the North Sea, but such restrictions were overlooked in a time of war. Following WWII, the naval personnel and marines were withdrawn from all of these forts by the British Admiralty. None of them were ever manned by the United Kingdom again, leaving the forts deserted to nature and the elements, thus abandoning their sovereignty. Save the aforementioned fortress, the other forts outside UK international limits were subsequently demolished. This resulted in the portentous uniqueness of the Roughs Tower fortress, situated at the high seas, it had been deserted and abandoned, ‘res derelict’ and ‘terra nullis’. From a legal point of view, it, therefore, constituted extra-national territory. This paved the way for occupation.
The Birth of Sealand
In the early 60’s, Roy Bates, a Major in the British army, established a radio station, situated offshore on an abandoned ex-naval fort named “Knock John”. The theory behind this location was an attempt to bypass the draconian broadcasting restrictions of the time, which permitted little more than formal broadcasting by the BBC.
Roy’s station, “Radio Essex”, and others like it, were known affectionately by the media as “Pirate” radio stations and were much loved by the British public, as they supplied everything that the BBC did not at the time; Pop music and amusing presenters.
In the years that ensued, Roy fought an unsuccessful legal battle with the UK government, which questioned the legality of his occupation of the said fort. It was ruled that “Knock John” fell under UK jurisdiction. Starting from his setback, Roy weighed his options. Another abandoned fortress, Roughs Tower, identical in construction to the Knock John existed further offshore, and crucially, outside of the three-mile limit to which the UK jurisdiction extended. Roy proceeded to occupy Roughs Tower, on Christmas eve 1966, with the intention of revitalising his dormant radio station. This was until he conjured a different plan entirely. After consulting his lawyers, Roy decided to declare this fortress island the independent state of “Sealand”, Claiming “Jus Gentium” (“Law of Nations”) over a part of the globe that was “Terra Nullius” (Nobody’s Land).
On the 2nd of September 1967, accompanied by his wife Joan on her birthday, his son Michael (14), daughter Penelope (16), and several friends and followers, Roy declared the Principality of Sealand. The founding of this country was marked by the raising of a newly designed flag, and in an extremely romantic birthday gesture, the bestowing of a new title on his beloved wife, to be known from that moment on as “Princess Joan”.
Buy A Title Of Nobility
We offer a unique service, the ability to purchase noble titles, i.e. selling the right to call yourself a lord or lady, baron or baroness, a count or countess, or even a duke or duchess. If you have ever dreamed of being able to label yourself thus, we can make this a reality for you with our historic titles of nobility.
Lots of people have taken advantage of the Sealand’s English titles to help them achieve their long-held aspiration of claiming a royal title, with Ed Sheeran himself holding the rank of Baron of Sealand since 2012. Other celebrities who have purchased manorial titles include lauded names like Jeremy Clarkson, Ralf Little, George Stroumboulopoulos, and more…
This is why we give those who come to us the choice to buy a royal title in the form of four different noble ranks: lord or lady, baron or baroness, count or countess, and duke or duchess. You can’t find baronial titles or other ranks anywhere else.
The Process Of Purchasing a Nobility Title
After buying a title of nobility for sale, you will have to wait 5-10 days, which is the same across the world. So if you’re looking for trying to find noble titles for sale in Europe, the principality of Sealand is the perfect place to find what you’re looking for.
We deliver you a package that contains everything required for noble titles and joining the English peerage. Inside, there is a lot of information about the Principality of Sealand, including its location, history, and key areas.
When you buy peerage titles, you also have the opportunity to get a premium nobility title which will include a framed deed signed by Prince Michael of Sealand. At this point, you can also buy a small piece of Sealand territory which goes towards the preservation of Sealand.
You don’t need to worry about your aristocracy title expiring! Once you buy hereditary titles, they are there for life. Remember, unlike other titles, there aren’t any outright noble privileges you can gain. However, you may notice a difference in the attitude towards you in some situations.
We have many noble titles for sale, including both male and female nobility titles, so make sure you apply today and join the nobility! Sealand has an online shop that sells swag too, find out more about our shop here.
