The Sovereign Principality of Corvinia 

The Raven Banner
The Raven Banner,
flag of Corvinia.

National Anthem: Stormfloden
Constitution: none
Currency: 1 Cor = 12 Skilling = 144 Penning
Motto: Numquam postea
Official languages: English, Danish, Old Norse, Latin and Interlingua
Population: 26 Independence Day: 2 July 1997


How to become a
Corvinian subject

Petitions for naturalisation may be submitted for review by the Permanent Committee on Immigration, which will then pass them on to His Corvine Highness with a recommendation. Application can be either by submitted form or e-mail.


Languages

The Principality has no less than five official languages: Danish, English, Latin, Old Norse and Interlingua. Obviously, few subjects are fluent in all these languages, but most Corvinians are able to hold their own in at least two.


Media

No news media, as such, are presently active in Corvinia - public information is disseminated through the Bulletins of the Ministry of Propaganda, while less official news distribution is handled in the form of frequent newsletters, disseminated through the Principality's mailing list, CORVINIA-L.


Links

Principality of Corvinia website

The Census Roll
The Map Room
Diplomatica


Useful e-mail addresses

Ministry of Foreign Affairs


Design and implementation:
The Ministry of Propaganda,
Sovereign Principality of Corvinia
Page last updated: August 1998
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A beautiful ideal revisited

The Sovereign Principality of Corvinia was founded in the spirit of a time that seems almost forgotten today - a time when most of Europe's nations were absolute monarchies, and the foundation of government was a contract of mutual trust between monarch and subject.
Granted, this (ideal) state of affairs was hardly ever attained in the mire of mundane and dreary Realpolitik. Nevertheless, it was a political ideal fully as attractive to the enlightened individual as the ideal of democracy.
We believe that this ideal is attainable. Within the boundaries, real and imagined, of our sovereign state, Corvinians have achieved a measure of it.

We invite you to join us.

Prince Peter I Ravn - photo: Princess Lone

His Corvine Highness,
Peter I Ravn,
Prince of Corvinia.

"I suppose all of us, at one time or another, have wanted to own a coffee mug with our very own armorial bearings enameled on the side. The only difference is, I've got one."

- His Grace, Lars Erik, Duke of Trekroner (radio interview, January 1998)

Fugleøen in winter - photo: Prince Peter

The Grand Duchy of Fugleøen, center, silhouetted against the evening sun in winter.

Location and structure

The Principality lays claim to a number of territories around the world (see list). In general, the territories claimed are islands, and indeed, one of His Corvine Highness' many titles is "Defender of the Islands".
At present, Corvinia holds no territory that is undisputedly hers.
The territories of the Principality are not divided into any administrative regions, but a number of lifetime peerages have been established, giving (largely ceremonial) responsibility over various territories to members of the nobility.

History

The Principality was declared a sovereign state on July 2, 1997. Initially, population growth was rapid, and Corvinia made a strong effort to represent itself on the World Wide Web.
Diplomatic relations with other micronations were formed, and Corvinia developed a long list of nations with whom peaceful relations were enjoyed.
The appointment of an unpalatable individual to the post of Imperial Chancellor of Reunion, in 1998, led to a prolonged dispute with that nation. Corvinia and Reunion have currently resumed diplomatic communications, though a certain degree of tension remains between the two states.

Political system

The system of government in Corvinia is enlightened absolute monarchy. All power, legislative, executive, and judicial, is vested solely in the monarch. Although a number of ministers and other officials are appointed, they function solely in an advisory capacity.
Legislation is by rescript. At of this writing, few such edicts have been issued. The environmentally conscious stance of the Prince is evident in rescript no. 4, which makes the Barony of the Rødsand Skerries a nature preserve. Also worth mentioning is rescript no. 3, which makes it a crime to "play, discuss, endorse, depict, or otherwise encourage" soccer on Corvinian territory.

Princess Lone gives the Heir a royal education - photo: Prince Peter

The Corvinian educational
system is second to none.
Here, Princess Lone shows
Prince Lucas Ravn the latest
addition to the royal library.

Culture and Society

The general level of education in Corvinia is high, even by Western standards. A disproportionate number of Corvinian subjects are professionals with some form of academic education. This is reflected in the job sector - most of the Principality's subjects are employed in some form of service-sector job.
In support of this high level of education, the Ministry of Education oversees the continued electronic publication of the Encyclopedia Corviniana.

Economy

The unit of currency in the Principality is the Cor, which is subdivided into 12 Skilling, each of which is subdivided into 12 Penning. For all of these units of currency, the singular and plural forms are (conveniently) identical.
The Cor is issued by the Bank of Corvinia, and is a commodity-based currency, being index-linked to the value in Danish Kroner of 1/2 liter of draught beer (lager) in a café located in Copenhagen, near the Principality Heartlands.
Currently, the Cor is equal to 36 Danish Kroner, or about 5.10 U.S. Dollars.

"The Court Sophist is charged with the complex duty of providing logically founded and factually unimpeachable arguments proving that any patently immoral act which the Prince wishes to commit is morally sound or necessary for the well-being of the nation."

- excerpt from the Encyclopedia Corviniana entry: "Court"