Acting Witan of Mercia facts for kids
White Wyrm of Mercia
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| Predecessor | Mercia Movement |
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| Formation | 17 March 2001 |
| Founded at | Birmingham, England |
| Type | Political activism, Mercian independence |
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Formerly called
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Mercian Constitutional Convention |
The Acting Witan of Mercia is a group in the Midlands of England. They believe that the ancient English region of Mercia should be an independent country. They think that the United Kingdom is unfairly controlling Mercia. This idea comes from events like the Norman Conquest long ago. The group sees itself as the true, acting government of Mercia.
Contents
What is the Acting Witan of Mercia?
The idea behind the Acting Witan of Mercia started with the Mercia Movement in 1993. This movement wanted to create a plan for a new government in Mercia. They wrote a document called 'The Mercia Manifesto'. It was a guide for Mercia's future.
Creating the Mercian Constitution
On March 17, 2001, the Mercian Constitutional Convention was formed. This group met in Birmingham, England. They decided to use the plan from the Mercia Movement. For over two years, they discussed and changed the plan.
In 2003, the Convention published their final work. It was a 21-page booklet called The Constitution Of Mercia. This book had 28 main rules and many smaller ones. It claimed to be the highest law in Mercia.
Mercia's Historic Shires
The Constitution said that Mercia included 20 historic areas called shires. These shires were:
- Bedfordshire
- Buckinghamshire
- Cambridgeshire
- Cheshire
- Derbyshire
- Gloucestershire
- Herefordshire
- Hertfordshire
- Huntingdonshire
- Leicestershire
- Lincolnshire
- Middlesex
- Northamptonshire
- Nottinghamshire
- Oxfordshire
- Rutland
- Shropshire
- Staffordshire
- Warwickshire
- Worcestershire
The Constitution hoped to create a new society in Mercia. This society would be based on fair democracy. It would also focus on community and protecting nature.
How the Acting Witan Was Formed
On May 29, 2003, an important event happened. Jeff Kent, Joyce Millington, and David Bastable made a special announcement. They read the "Declaration of Mercian Independence". This took place in Victoria Square, Birmingham.
After this declaration, the Convention changed its name. It became the Acting Witan of Mercia. Their goal was to help Mercia become fully democratic. They also wanted Mercia to become truly independent.
Mercian Independence Day and Currency
On May 29, 2004, the first anniversary of Mercian Independence Day was celebrated. Members of the Acting Witan introduced a new money for the region. They called it the Mercian penny. They gave these coins for free to people who signed up as Mercian citizens.
By May 2009, more than 2,000 people had registered as Mercian citizens. This showed growing interest in their ideas.
Claiming the Staffordshire Hoard
On February 26, 2010, another declaration was made. This happened outside the Potteries Museum & Art Gallery in Stoke-on-Trent. Jeff Kent, who was called the "convener of the Acting Witan", and Philip Snow, called the "Acting Sheriff of Staffordshire", spoke.
They declared that the Staffordshire Hoard belonged to the citizens of Mercia. The Staffordshire Hoard is a very famous collection of Anglo-Saxon gold and silver.
See also
