Duchy of Bény-sur-Thames
Capital: Bény-sur-ThamesPopulation: 5,811 (2000 census)
Area: 17 km2
Independence: 1112
Economy: Retail; tourism; banking.
Per Capita Income: US$47,750
Languages: Bénisian French, English
Literacy Rate: 100%
Of the handful of tiny microstates that are footnotes to any list of countries in Europe, only San Marino, the Vatican, and Bény-sur-Thames lie entirely within the borders of a larger country. Along with better-known microstates like Liechtenstein, Andorra, and Monaco, Bény-sur-Thames is an anachronism, a relic of the thousand squalling fiefdoms of the Middle Ages. Ceded in 1112 as a private estate to Duke William du Bois, nephew to Henry I, the tiny enclave began a path of political independence that would persist through at least the next nine centuries.
More striking even than Bény’s political autonomy is its cultural integrity. Made inward-looking and culturally conservative by their distinctiveness and isolation, Bénisiens clung tenaciously to a mediaeval French that, while perplexing to visitors from modern France, has provided dissertation fodder for generations of historical linguists. While most young Beńisiens today are educated in both English and their native tongue, they maintain a spirit of quiet differentness from their British neighbors. Most young citizens leave for a post-secondary education in the “outside world,” not a few at nearby Oxford University. A surprisingly large majority, however, return to their native village – and therefore to their native country – after their student years.
The tiny shops on the cobblestone streets that wind about this little city-state sell computers, confidential banking services, and tourist T-shirts. All business ceases on Sundays, however, when virtually all Beńisiens attend a Mass that, while celebrated in the local vernacular – a nod to the reforms of Vatican II – is of rigorously authentic mediaeval length, in some cases six hours or more.
Bény-sur-Thames made a rare splash on the international scene in 1988 when its rowing team placed fourth at the Summer Olympics. Coxswain Bernend DuChamp was the captain of that team, the only that the little country has ever fielded at the Olympic Games. “We’re all still treated like heroes around here,” he reports, “but I think there was also a sense of relief that we didn’t do any better. The exposure that an actual Olympic medal would have brought to Bény might have been our undoing.”
Flag: A four-pointed star centered in a blue canton against a red field. The flag of Bény-sur-Thames was instituted by the fourth Duke Henry, in 1215. Especially nationalistic Bénisiens delight in describing the event to their British neighbors as “the most important thing that happened in Europe during that year.”
National Anthem: “We of the Duchy Eternal.”
Area: 17 km2
Independence: 1112
Economy: Retail; tourism; banking.
Per Capita Income: US$47,750
Languages: Bénisian French, English
Literacy Rate: 100%
Of the handful of tiny microstates that are footnotes to any list of countries in Europe, only San Marino, the Vatican, and Bény-sur-Thames lie entirely within the borders of a larger country. Along with better-known microstates like Liechtenstein, Andorra, and Monaco, Bény-sur-Thames is an anachronism, a relic of the thousand squalling fiefdoms of the Middle Ages. Ceded in 1112 as a private estate to Duke William du Bois, nephew to Henry I, the tiny enclave began a path of political independence that would persist through at least the next nine centuries.
More striking even than Bény’s political autonomy is its cultural integrity. Made inward-looking and culturally conservative by their distinctiveness and isolation, Bénisiens clung tenaciously to a mediaeval French that, while perplexing to visitors from modern France, has provided dissertation fodder for generations of historical linguists. While most young Beńisiens today are educated in both English and their native tongue, they maintain a spirit of quiet differentness from their British neighbors. Most young citizens leave for a post-secondary education in the “outside world,” not a few at nearby Oxford University. A surprisingly large majority, however, return to their native village – and therefore to their native country – after their student years.
The tiny shops on the cobblestone streets that wind about this little city-state sell computers, confidential banking services, and tourist T-shirts. All business ceases on Sundays, however, when virtually all Beńisiens attend a Mass that, while celebrated in the local vernacular – a nod to the reforms of Vatican II – is of rigorously authentic mediaeval length, in some cases six hours or more.
Bény-sur-Thames made a rare splash on the international scene in 1988 when its rowing team placed fourth at the Summer Olympics. Coxswain Bernend DuChamp was the captain of that team, the only that the little country has ever fielded at the Olympic Games. “We’re all still treated like heroes around here,” he reports, “but I think there was also a sense of relief that we didn’t do any better. The exposure that an actual Olympic medal would have brought to Bény might have been our undoing.”
Flag: A four-pointed star centered in a blue canton against a red field. The flag of Bény-sur-Thames was instituted by the fourth Duke Henry, in 1215. Especially nationalistic Bénisiens delight in describing the event to their British neighbors as “the most important thing that happened in Europe during that year.”
National Anthem: “We of the Duchy Eternal.”
On 'Jeopardy,' (which is shown only one night a week here, weirdly enough) MONACO was one of the countries entirely within another (France.) Was that wrong?
ReplyDeleteI give the flag a score of B+ I would have scored it higher but I don't really like the black, red, blue colour combo. Black and red=good, red and blue=good, black and blue=good, throw white in with any of the colour combinations but not all three at onece.
ReplyDeleteI think I want to live there. (I blame the map.)
ReplyDeleteElaine: Well, depends on how you look at it. Monaco is on the coast, so it's not ~contained~ per se.
ReplyDeleteYank: Very nice.
Monsieur, your flag is hurts my eyes. The "graven image" of a star makes it even worse. C minus. Nice job on the map though. Especially the dead end highway!
ReplyDeleteI like "London Road" and "Bath Road." I love roads that are named after where they go, especially when they keep the name after redevelopment means they no longer go there.
ReplyDeleteEyewatering colours, there. At least it's at sensible dimensions. If we were to zoom in to the map, would we find that there are more than just the three "suburbs" of Chilton, National Palace and Parkside? It stirkes me that an old, tiny country like this would have dozens of tiny little burroughs, each with its own rowing team and ancient enemies and alliances, who duel monthly on the Thames in brightly coloured bathing suits to the delight of all the citizenry.
ReplyDeleteI didn't remember seeing this flag, and in a quick archive dive I see that you've made the addition of the star since the last time we saw Beny, what inspired the change?
ReplyDeleteIt's probably their civil flag versus their national flag, UO.
ReplyDeleteI'm hoping it's one of those wonderful double sided ones, myself.
ReplyDeleteThere are words for people like you lot in Bénisian French...
ReplyDeleteIs Bénisian French based on langue d'oïl or langue d'oc?
ReplyDeleteJust for that, you get another boring postcard.
ReplyDeleteI was wondering about the dead-end highway. It suggests that attempts at cooperation between Benisien and English planning authorities have not always panned out.
ReplyDeleteWell, it IS an international border. But think more "High Street" than "highway."
ReplyDelete