Founding of the Kingdom of Heyr

The Kingdom of Heyr was founded on 8 September 2023 by Barry Mancktelow Varley, who declared himself the Supreme Leader. The idea for Heyr began in 2022, when Barry first learned about micronations through a friend, Lutrumpcis. Inspired by the creativity and independence of these small nations, he set out to create one of his own.

In mid‑2023, Barry asked his mother for permission to use the back garden as the first territory of Heyr. She agreed, and the early nation began on a modest plot of around 21 yards. Later that year, Barry discovered that his grandparents owned farmland in Upminster. Only a week after learning this, he approached them with a simple question: “Hey, can I claim your field for my micronation?” They agreed—without thinking too much of it at the time—and Heyr’s territory expanded dramatically.

Over the following months, additional land owned by family friends was incorporated, and for a brief period the nation rebranded itself as the Heyrian Federation, though this phase lasted less than a month. Official independence was declared on 8 September 2023, coinciding with the creation of the nation’s NationStates account. In its earliest days, Heyr was known as the Republic of Heyr before adopting its current identity.

The Great Population Boom of 2026

In early 2026, Heyr experienced one of the most extraordinary events in its history—a sudden and unprecedented surge in population. What had long been a quiet micronation of just 14 citizens transformed almost overnight.

Within two days, the population exploded to 1,131, far surpassing every expectation. The momentum continued, pushing the number even higher to 1,361. This rapid expansion reshaped Heyr’s identity, bringing both excitement and significant administrative challenges as systems struggled to keep pace with the influx.

To stabilise the situation, the government made the strategic decision to temporarily close citizenship, allowing time to reorganise and prepare for sustainable growth. Historians would later refer to this moment as the Great Population Boom of 2026—a turning point when Heyr evolved from a small creative project into a fast‑growing, dynamic micronation almost overnight.