Grand Viscountcy of Saint-Marcouf

Grand Viscountcy of Saint-Marcouf Grande Vicomté de Saint-Marcouf (French)
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: "Le droit, le libre" The right, the free
Anthem: Je te le jure, mon pays
Location of Saint-Marcouf indicated by red circle
Status	Active
Capital and largest city	Fort de Frotté
Official languages	English French
Demonym(s)	Marcoufian
Government	Parliamentary semi-constitutional monarchy
• Grand Viscount	Jean II
• First Lord	Vacant
Legislature	Conseil
• Upper house	Chambre des Seigneurs
• Lower house	Chambre des Huissiers
Establishment
• Declaration of independance	18 July 2024
Membership	1
Currency	Saint-Marcouf Pound Pound sterling
Time zone	UTC+0 (GMT)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+1 (BST)
Date format	dd/mm/yyyy
Driving side	left

The Grand Viscountcy of Saint-Marcouf, more commonly known as Saint-Marcouf, is a micronation located off the Cotentin Peninsula.

A remnant of the Duchy of Normandy, it comprises two islands, the Île de Cornouailles and the Île d'Azara.

The nation has a parliament called the Conseil consisting of the upper house; the Chambre des Seigneurs, and the lower house; Chambre des Huissiers. The upper house consists of 15 seats held by the 15 hereditary Seigneurs of the islands. The lower house is made up of 20 seats held by elected Bailiffs (Huissier).

Etymology

The Grand Viscountcy takes its name from Saint Marcouf, a saint who died on the island. It is said he could cure anyone of scrofula.

History

The micronation is located on Îles Saint-Marcouf, two uninhabited islands off the coast of Normandy. During the French Revolutionary Wars the islands were held by the Royal Navy and used as a strategic forward base. The British repelled a French attack at the Battle of the Îles Saint-Marcouf. Under the Treaty of Amiens the islands returned to the French and Napoleon ordered the islands to be fortified. The islands were the French territory to be taken back on Normandy landings.

The islands were directly administrated by the French government and were given the status of a nature reserve until the Viscountcy seceded. The fort on the larger island, which is now the capital, began to fall into ruins before students at Collège de Carentan were allowed to perform restorations.

On 18 July 2024 the Viscountcy declared independence from the United Kingdom. In the process Jean II elevated the status of the viscountcy to that of a Grand Viscountcy

Politics and government

The government of Saint-Marcouf, called the Conseil, is comprised of an upper and lower house.

Grand Viscount of Saint-Marcouf

The Grand Viscount of Saint-Marcouf is the hereditary head of state. The incumbent Grand Viscount is Jean II.

First Lord

The First Lord of Saint-Marcouf (Premier seigneur) is the elected head of goverment of the islands. Historically they could only be elected from the upper house (Chambre des Seigneurs) but since House of Lords Act 1999 it was decided that members of the Chambre des Seigneurs could also stand for election.

Conseil

The Conseil is made up of an upper and lower house.

Chambre des Seigneurs

The Chambre des Seigneurs (House of Lords) is the upper house of the Conseil. It is comprised of 15 hereditary Seigneurs who automatically have a seat in the house. The Chambre des Seigneurs debates legislation and has the power to amend or reject bills.

Chambre des Huissiers

The Chambre des Huissiers (House of Bailiffs) is the lower house of the Conseil. It is comprised of 20 elected bailiffs who have a term of four years. The Chambre des Hussiers formally scrutinises the Government through its Committees and debates and passes laws.

Military

The Marcoufian military only has two branches; the Navy and the Marines. This is due to the island's size and location, meaning only naval and amphibious forces are required.

Navy ranks

NATO rank	Name
	English	French
OF-10	Grand Admiral	Grand-Amiral
OF-9	Admiral	Amiral
OF-8	Vice Admiral	Vice-Amiral
OF-7	Counter Admiral	Contre-Amiral
OF-6	Commodore	Commodore
OF-5	Captain	Capitaine
OF-4	Commander	Commandant
OF-3	Lieutenant Commander	Lieutenant-Commandant
OF-2	Lieutenant	Lieutenant
OF-1	Ensign	Insigne
OF-(D)	Midshipman	Aspirant

Marine ranks

NATO rank	Name
	English	French
OF-10	Grand General	Grand Général
OF-9	General	Général
OF-8	Lieutenant-General	Lieutenant Général
OF-7	Major-General	Major Général
OF-6	Brigadier	Brigadier
OF-5	Colonel	Colonel
OF-4	Lieutenant Colonel	Lieutenant Colonel
OF-3	Major	Major
OF-2	Captain	Capitaine
OF-1	Lieutenant	Lieutenant
OF-(D)	Aspirant	Aspirant

Honourary Ships

Despite not owning any physical ships the Viscomital Navy still names honourary ships after influential people connected to the island. They are:

• NV Viscount Nelson - Named after Horatio Nelson, 1st Viscount Nelson, flagship of the Admiral of the Fleet.
• NV Robert Fulton - Named after Robert Fulton.

The two islands of Saint-Marcouf from the beach at Ravenoville.

Administrative regions

Flag	Name	Area	Population	Officials
Baronies
	Île de Cornouailles	0.02765 km2	0	The Baron de Cornouailles
	Île d'Azara	0.034 km2	0	The Baron d'Azara

Holidays

Date	Name	Remarks
7 May	Saint-Marcouf day	A day honouring the Battle of the Îles Saint-Marcouf in 1798, when the United Kingdom cemented their claim on the islands.
18 July	Independance day	A day honouring the independence of Saint-Marcouf from the United Kingdom.

Order of Saint Marcouf

The Order of Saint Marcouf (French: Ordre de Saint Marcouf) is a marcoufian order of chivalry.

Order of Saint Marcouf Ordre de Saint Marcouf
Cross of the Order
Awarded by the Grand Viscount of Saint-Marcouf
Type	Chivalric order
Established	18 July 2024
Religious affiliation	Catholicism
Ribbon	Blue
Motto	French: Avouer
Status	Extant
Founder	Jean II of Saint-Marcouf
Grand Master	Jean II

The Grand Viscount is the Sovereign and Grand Master (Souverain Grand Maître), and makes all appointments to the order.

Members of the order have to be Roman Catholic and be able to demonstrate noble birth.

Members are styled as Knights/Dames of Saint Marcouf (Chevaliers/Dames de Saint Marcouf) though if a member wishes they may use the style of Sir or Dame in front of their name instead.

Name	Year of appointment	Present age	Arms	Notes
The Count of Paris	2024	59		Pretender to the throne of France
The Duke of Norfolk	2024	67		The Duke of Norfolk is the most prominent catholic in the United Kingdom