THE NORTH RIDING PROJECT

Frigland, also known as Skjalf, is the outermost of the Fryup islands, lying approximately 6km off the North Riding coast.  In 1986, the previously uninhabited granite islet was occupied by a group calling itself the Frigland Liberation Front, who declared it the independent kingdom of Frigland, with the group’s leader, Viggo Sprule, its de facto monarch.  Sprule successfully argued that Frigland’s position outside UK territorial waters at the time put it beyond British jurisdiction.  Frigland has its own flag and currency, and its football team drew their first and only match 0-0 against San Marino in 1992.