"E Mare Libertas" is the official motto and anthem of the Principality of Sealand.[1][2] Having no lyrics, the anthem's music was composed by London-based composer Basil Simonenko.[1]

E Mare Libertas
The coat of arms of Sealand
Lyricsnone
MusicBasil Simonenko
Adoptedunknown

History

edit

During the Second World War, the Government of the United Kingdom set up a small base in the North Sea, but was then abandoned after the war had ended. In 1967, pirate radio broadcaster Roy Bates claimed the territory as the Principality of Sealand, and eventually the British government claimed Sealand within their jurisdiction. A motto was then born, which is derived from the Latin phrase E Mare Libertas, roughly meaning 'From the Sea, Liberty'. The London-based composer Basil Simonenko, who was in conjunction with the governing Bates family at the time, decided to set a melody to the motto, which would then be its established regional anthem.[1][3]

References

edit
  1. ^ a b c Sealand – nationalanthems.info
  2. ^ Jennings, Ken (September 4, 2013). "This Concrete Speck in the North Sea Is a Country". Condé Nast Traveler.
  3. ^ "The Principality of Sealand and How the Micro-nation Fought to Become a Sovereign State". December 30, 2016.