Frequently Asked Questions - FAQs
(The Duchy of Westbernhaven is a fantasy micronation existing on the internet.)
Q: Is the Duchy of Westbernhaven a "real country"?
A: The Duchy of Westbernhaven is an independent and sovereign model micronation existing on the internet! Though there is historically a territory, we have no claim and are (albeit a fantasy government in exile), with an embassy (within the US) and a flag positioned. The Duchy of Westbernhaven (our name) was formally called the kingdoms of Vingulmark and Vestfold which consisted of 5 provinces during the reign of King Gandolf Algfiersson (24th Great-Grand Father to Christian Ernst). The Kings of Vestfold include: Eystein Halfdansson(13th Cousin 25x removed to Christian Ernst), Halfdan the Mild(14th Cousin 24x removed to Christian Ernst), Gudrød the Hunter(15th Cousin 23x removed to Christian Ernst).
Please visit our history page for more information.
For further information about micronations, you may refer to the following links:
The United Micro Nations
Governments in Exile: Wikipedia the Online Encyclopedia
Micro Nations: Wikipedia the Online Encyclopedia
The League of Micro Nations
In discussing these circumstances and the question of whether micro nations are "real countries", The Northern Forest Archipelago best stated the issue thusly:
"Q: Are there any other real countries in circumstances similar...? A: Let's see...
The NFA has a small amount of territory...so do the Vatican city and thePrincipality of Monaco.
The NFA exists within another state...so do the Navaho nation and the Channel Islands.
The NFA is not recognized formally by the United States... neither are Taiwan or Tibet.
The NFA is not (yet) a member of the United Nations...neither are the Cayman Islands or Palestine. "
Q: What is the relationship between the Duchy of Westbernhaven and the government of the present Kingdom of Norway?
A: The official position of the Duchy of Westbernhaven is that it is the hereditary government of the Duchy of Westbernhaven ( our official name) (formally the Kingdom of Vingulmark, and Vestfold) under rule of the present putative Arch Duke of Westbernhaven, the said Duchy becoming sovereign and independent upon the abdication primarily of Gandolf Algfiersson, King of Norway, among many Kings and currently making its hereditary claims to and for the area and provinces formerly known as Vingulmark, and Vestfold.
It is a fact that the government of the present Kingdom of Norway does not recognize the claims of the Duchy of Westbernhaven nor do we expect one.
Q: Does the Duchy of Westbernhaven have actual territory?
A: Yes, the Duchy of Westbernhaven currently holds a well-defined territory within the United States of America across several states of various sizes.
Q: What kind of model government does the Duchy of Westbernhaven have?
A: The Duchy of Westbernhaven is a monarchy ruled by the putative Arch Duke of Westbernhaven, Lord of Amroster and Vestfold.
Nation: A group of people who share common customs, culture, physical location or territory, history, and (frequently) language.
State: The government or supreme public power within a sovereign political entity; an institutional structure charged with exercising authority within a definable jurisdiction.
When thinking about states, one should also take note of the 1933 Montevideo Convention on the Rights and Duties of States, which forms the traditional internationally accepted basis for the legal definition of statehood:
Article 1: The state as a person of international law should possess the following qualifications: (a) a permanent population; (b) a defined territory; (c) government; and (d) capacity to enter into relations with the other states.This does not apply to the Duchy of Westbernhaven as we are not a real nation, rather we are a made up fantasy micronation created for fun only and make no claims!
Nation-state: A group of people who share common customs, culture, physical location or territory, history, and (frequently) language, and the government or supreme public power within a sovereign political entity; an institutional structure charged with exercising authority within a definable jurisdiction.
Sovereign: The right of a political entity to exercise power, free from external compulsion or restraint; self-governing and independent
Micro: Very small.
The model micronation of the Duchy of Westbernhaven is in its territory a very small yet sovereign state, claiming and entitled to all the rights of a sovereign State, which rights under International Law include participation in international organizations, and the maintenance of diplomatic relations with other sovereign states. The Duchy of Westbernhaven meets the criteria set forth in Article 1 of the 1933 Montevideo Convention on Rights and Duties of States. We have a sovereign government exercising dominion of its well-defined territories, and with permanent residents.
The Duchy of Westbernhaven does concede that it is a very small nation-state, but one that nevertheless has a (small) population as a people sharing common customs, culture, physical location or territory, history, and a common language. We officially have our own currency as well. Although we have claim, and there is physical land, at this time we are classified as a model country established on the internet only.
National Flag Currency (below) Seal