Kingdom of Landreth
From Lomwiki, the micronation encyclopaedia
| Kingdom of Landreth | |
 Flag |  Arms |
| Motto: Always a Free Landreth Musical Anthem: ?, by ? | |
| |
| Location: | Grand Rapids, Michigan, USA |
| Co-ordinates: | 42°57′40.5″N 85°39′20.59″W |
| Area: | 0 km2 |
| Capital: | ? |
| Membership: | < 5 |
| Date of foundation: | ? 1998 |
| Leadership: | Theron Paul Williams ? (King Theron Paul) |
| Organisational structure: | Constitutional monarchy |
| Language: | English |
| Currency: | Landrethian Dollar |
The Kingdom of Landreth was a micronation located in the United States. According to a 2002 article in Forbes Magazine[1] it was headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Landreth is believed to have been created in 1998 by the person identified on the micronation's website as its king: Theron Paul. The identity of this individual (purportedly born 13 December 1945) is unconfirmed, but research suggests[2] the name may be a pseudonym of Theron Paul Williams.
The nature of Landreth's historical operations is unclear, as the kingdom appears to have undergone a number of reinventions during the course of its existence. It seems to have been initially conceived as a virtual micronation, as several extant maps showing its purported location (on an island bordered by another micronation), and internal political divisions, are obviously wholly fictional.
However, at one stage in the early 2000s the Landreth website also included photographs of a motor vehicle and private residence adorned with Landrethian heraldic insignia and metal signage, which suggested that Landreth did project at least some of its activities into the corporeal world; those images are not accessible on archived versions of the site. Further confusing the historical record are archived versions of the website, which assert that the micronation self-identified as a "non-territorial state".[3]
A purported history of Landreth prior to 1998 - which asserts, among other things, that the micronation was actually founded during the 1950s by Theron Paul's parents, is outlined on archived versions of its website; however, none of those assertions are supported by any publicly-accessible, reliable third party documentary source, and it is very likely that they are a fictional elaboration of mundane unrelated events in the lives of 'Theron Paul' and his family.
The only tangible legacy of Landreth are the series of banknotes it released in 1999, which attracted some interest from the numismatic collector community.[4] Landreth itself is believed to have become defunct in approximately 2002.
References
- ↑ Not Exactly Members of the United Nations, Forbes Magazine, 25 November 2002 Access date: 12 March 2011
- ↑ Veromi.net - Subject: WILLIAMS, THERON P, Age: 66 Access date: 12 March 2011
- ↑ Kingdom of Landreth FAQ Access date: 12 March 2011
- ↑ Banknoteworld.com - Kingdom of Landreth Access date: 13 March 2011
External links
- Kingdom of Landreth website, at the Internet Archive.
- Kingdom of Landreth alternative website, at the Internet Archive.
Gallery
 'Theron Paul', founder and king of Landreth. |
 A fictional map of Landreth. |
 A map of Landreth showing its location on a fictional island. |
 Banknote from the Kingdom of Landreth. |
 Banknote from the Kingdom of Landreth. |
 Correspondence from the Kingdom of Landreth. |
 Correspondence from the Kingdom of Landreth. |
