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American claims to be King of the Isle of Man
A SELF-styled monarch is causing a right royal stir – after crowning himself King of the Isle of Man.
American David Drew Howe posted a notice in the London Gazette in January this year claiming legal right to the Manx crown.
When the newspaper notice went unchallenged, he crowned himself 'undisputed' King.
It's a title abandoned 500 years ago by the Stanleys in favour of 'Lord of Mann', the current holder being, of course, the Queen, who Mr Howe insists is his cousin.
But a spokesman for Buckingham Palace said: 'Her Majesty the Queen is the Lord of Mann – any challenge to that should be a matter for the Isle of Man Government.'
Chief Minister Tony Brown said: 'The sovereign is Her Majesty the Queen as Lord of Mann. I'm not aware of any valid alternative claim of sovereignty over the Island.'
Claiming to be a direct descendant of the Stanley Kings and cousin to the Queen, King David says he has established legal ownership of the title which he said has remained unclaimed for more than 500 years.
He insists his claim is 'based on law' and is supported by 'UK barrister's opinion'.
In his 'official' royal website, Mr Howe says he recognizes the 'complex issues concerning the Isle of Man today', adding: 'Chief among these are concerns regarding overpopulation, balancing business/economic growth and the quality of life in the Isle of Man.
'Ultimately, it is HM King David's goal to preserve the history and provide a legacy for his ancient Kingdom.'
His royaltyofman.com website gives little proof of Mr Howe's claimed ancestral links to the Stanley family or his family connection to the Queen.
And it clear that the barrister's opinion only states he can legally pursue a claim and doesn't give any validity to the claim itself.
Website encyclopaedia entries about the Lords of Mann and the noble titles of the Isle of Man have been amended to include King David's claim. His name also bizarrely appears on another website which lists all the monarchs of Europe.
Despite repeated requests for an interview, King David declined to comment.
>>King David speaks out
WHAT WOULD YOU CHANGE IF YOU WERE KING OF THE ISLE OF MAN?
Send your ideas to newsviews@newsiom.co.im
YOUR COMMENTS
If i was King Of Man I would ban intellectually challenged Americans from having anything to do with the Isle of Man. That is all.
MARK R
Is this guy for real? I humbly suggest that he winds his neck in, gets over himself and starts living in the real world. If he thinks that he can suddenly lay claim to the Isle of Man through ENGLISH law I think he'll be more than a little disappointed. I personally would not recognise his (so-called) position, bow to him and address him as "Your Majesty" or even "Sir". I also firmly believe that no other proud Manx man or woman should do so either.
STEVE
Methinks this be a right unroyal wind-up..! I wonder if he is of Scottish descent, and whether he will land on the beaches.
HILARY
Ladies and Gentlemen, as a somewhat intellectually challenged American, I would hope that status does not prevent me from visiting the Isle of Man in the future. I also hope that the kind residents of IOM do not judge all Americans based on the preposterous claims of one of my countrymen. I visited the Isle of Man in 2005 and found it to be charming, interesting and most beautiful. I suspect I am one of the relatively few Americans who have taken tine to visit. Interestingly enough, the Manx Museum had a wonderful time line exhibit about the history of the inhabitants of the Island and there was no mention of "King David" ever having set foot on it.
DOUG THORNTON, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Well, as the recently crowned Queen of the USA and any other outlying little countries that I fancy ruling - I say, fair enough! If you can't beat them join them! A newspaper ad and some tenuous links to a Royal Family seem as good a way as any of appointing a monarch!
CLARE SCOTT
I would have to openly argue that point with HRH Kind David of Yank as my mother's cousin's uncle's best friend once seen the queen from 30 yards away opening the new condiments wing of Sainsbury's in Basingstoke. This is sword in the stone proof that I should be crowned King Nicholas I at the next session of Tynwald.
HRH NICHOLAS SAUNDERS I
It has come to my attention that my master "Nicholas Saunders" has laid claim to being King of Man. I agree, he is the rightful owner to the thrown, when he sits on the thrown it gives me no better pleasure than to sit next to Him and wipe his kingly brow. He is a thoroughbred Manxman, not a yanky doodle dandy, his knowledge of this fair land and the treatment of his subjects is Simply to be beholden. We support and love HRH Nicolas Saunders in his quest to lay claim to this mighty thrown
MARK Q
Typical Americans, can't control Iraq so they try for a smaller place.
PAUL
Well, Well now what can I say....I have read the responces to this and I have to say "I CRACKED UP LAUGHING" this is just wow what is going on in the world, people claiming to be kings and queens...no really what a challenge for the isle of man..hey hey I look forward to hearing more on this, this is just yeah. hello are you people just that sad to give this the light of day. You know it's like picking up the local paper and reading a load of crock. Come on get a life
SHARON GIBSON
My grandmothers maiden name was Stanley and she was also desended from the Stanley's Earl of Derby, does that mean I can be called King as well. I have a friend with the surname King, if he switched his first and last name he would also be called King David.
Yours
(Possibly) KING BOB The only throne this guy should be sitting on is in the bathroom.
BECKY
Given the drivel on his series of websites about the paramount importance of Manx law to his "case", it is typically hypocritical of King David 'Drew' Howe to rely on UK legal advice (the import of which he is, of course, subverting).
MARK, OnchanMy, my, it just gets better. This has so got to be a huge wind-up right? But get this - yeah you guys have started to become judges and the jury on this and I have to say that it just cracks me up even more, I'm killing myself laughing at the thought process of the yes typical manxman. I have yet to hear that old saying 'there's a boat in the morning' lmao. You guys, you just kill me, there you are judging the Amercians and oh yes don't forget the scottish too - no no, this is just killing me now - so tell me what would you guys have said if it were a manxman? Would your reponses be any different or would you make me Laugh some more?
SHARON
I don't think a deluded monarch could run the Island into the ground, and forgo its sense of identity, any worse than the present government. I say give the guy the guy a chance?!? Whats the worst that could happen? He allows Manx residents to be black mailed into paying extortionate prices for everything from bread to flight costs? He builds a brand new state of the art hospital, but forgets about adequate parking? He cancels the Saturday boat in the morning? Not likely! All hail King David, Saviour of the Isle.
MARK, Onchan
Hey Sharon. You seem to be giving this a lot of attention yourself! Who's sad?
REBECCA
Well if you look at the pics of this clown's website, you'll notice that he can't even spell Laxey. Sad thing is though that having the right Hon. 'Open All Hours' Tony 'Arkwright' Brown as head of state is almost as daft
SCC
Alrighty, Yes I am following this story as it s so very funny to see all you manx people get all hot and bothered over some guy who claims he is king of the isle of man, are you all really that narrow minded, that you just can't see outside the box. Well let me put it to you fellow manxmen ok...the isle of man is no longer MANX ok it's muti- cultural meaning if you don't understand, there are far more "come overs" as you would put it here on the isle of man than there is Manx. Why is the question you should be asking yourself?? now now please don't ask me to spell this very simple fact out to you as it is very clear to see, given the high racio of different nationalities working here other than Manx. Hey and if the isle of man didn't have these "ccome overs" working here doin their very best in all aspects of the land, would the isle of man be where it is today, I don't think so. you see this is where we cross the line into polotics and argue immergration vs the media and how it helps or hinders our country. Now there's your answer to the very simple fact of this land.
SHARON GIBSON
I am utterly surprised that this (American) man has the audacity to claim that he is the rightful king to the Isle of Man. I would like to see the reasoning behind the claim. He should also try living in the real world (not American). Disgusting
HOLLIE
He has obviously watched 'King Ralph' one time too many. Reality check Mr, although you look a lot like John Goodman (that wasn't a compliment) you must realise this was a fantasy film! Next you will be saying we are harbouring WMD's as a poor excuse to invade us.
ADAM TANSLEY
Surely David could not be king of the Isle of Man as Jeremy Clarkson is already king isn't he?
TOM
Kings of the Isle of Man and the Isles:
Godred Crovan (1079-1095)
Magnus III of Norway (1098 (95?)-1102)
Lagman of the Isle of Man (1102-1104)
Sigurd I of Norway (1102-1103)
Domnall mac Teige of the Isle of Man (1114-1115)
Murchadh O'Brian of the Isle of Man (1115-1137)
Olaf I of the Isle of Man 1095/ 1103/ 1104 (1137-1153)
Godfred V of the Isle of Man (1153-1158)
Somerled (1158-1164)
Ragnald III of the Isle of Man (1164)
Godfred V of the Isle of Man reinstated (1164-1187)
Ragnald IV of the Isle of Man (1187- 1229)
Olaf II of the Isle of Man (1229-1237)
King David should take a look at the REAL Kings of Man, because unless he is actually related to these people he has no claim! If he does, then maybe we'll have an Influx of Norwegians also claiming to be King of Man, and their claim would be more justifiable. Let's face it, Godred Crovan is better know to Manx People as he started Tynwald, than any American... we've had a Government longer than they have had a Country. The other question that needs answering is, just how does he think his claim to the Isle of Man is above that of Queen Elizabeth?
ALLEN MASON
If I was the king of the Isle of Man I would change the apathetic acceptance that allows the English queen to be the Lord of Mann. I would then abdicate. It has been interesting to see people's reaction to this clearly absurd claim, yet no one seems to question why we accept the monarch of another country as 'the sovereign'. Instead of directing xenophobia at 'a somewhat intellectually challenged American' maybe we should think critically about the throwback to English imperialism which gives the English queen a position above us as the lord of our country. Now would also be a good time to question what connection to the Isle of Man the Vice Admiral Sir Paul Kenneth Haddacks has and why we allow him an oppressive and obsolete title. As the spokesperson for Buckingham palace said, 'Her Majesty the Queen is the Lord of Mann – any challenge to that should be a matter for the Isle of Man Government', it follows that this should be a matter for the people of the Isle of Man.
ILLIAM
David Drew Howe's claim to be the King of Man is preposterous.
I suggest he do the following:
Get a life
Get a job
Get a good dietician
MEL FARAGHER (Mr)
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Weather for Isle of Man
Wednesday 08 February 2012
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Temperature: 3 C to 4 C
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