Principality of Lichtenberg

Honourary Citizenship and Corps Diplomatique

Welcome to The Lichtenberg Foundation

Ruins of Lichtenberg Castle

Foreword from HSH Maya de Haynau

Lichtenberg dates from mediaeval times and the de Haynau and Lichtenberg family, share historical bonds. My family heritage is also shared with King Charles the 1st or Charlemagne, my ancestor, from whom I come in direct line. Charlemagne lived from 742-814 and is recognised as the Father of Modern Europe and Chivalry. Pope Leo 111 crowned Charlemagne Holy Roman Emperor in 800 and he became a Saint in 1165.

The Almanach de Chivalry, is recognised as the most authoritative and pre-eminent source in the World, on the History of Chivalry. The Almanach covers all Imperial and Royal Societies of Christian Chivalry, in Europe and lists all the Leading Chivalric Orders of Knighthood in Europe. Our Sovereign’s direct ancestor, the First Holy Roman Emperor Charles The Great - Charlemagne, is named by The Almanach de Chivalry as their Supreme Guardian and Patron.

This oldest Royal line in modern Europe, produced a succession of great European Kingdoms, leading to the Austro-Hungarian Empire. I have often marvelled how Charlemagne ruled over an Empire, which today would include; Germany, France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Northern Italy, Austria, Switzerland and Hungary. Kingdoms may fall, lands may go, however a family never dies, their name lives on and our inheritance was reinstated under the Principality of Lichtenberg, a legally constituted entity, now fully sovereign in law under a foundation and as direct descendant of Charlemagne, I am proud to be Regnant Head of State. Today we are a Regnant Sovereignty - without Lands. (i.e.) in the manner of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta on the via Condotti Rome.

Whilst the Lichtenberg of my ancestors, does not exist today, like so many other great European Kingdoms, wrongly subjugated by Wars, Fascism etal. Lichtenberg however has the power of Sovereignty, re-introduced under a Foundation, as many other old European Kingdoms have been in the sense of the families who were wrongly exiled from their countries. Thankfully we are living in the age of the European Court of Human Rights and inviolate rights have been reinstated, in recent landmark cases, which saw the return to Italy of the Savoys and King Carlos of Spain. There are more to come, as the old monarchs of Europe can proudly return from exile to the lands of their forbears and continue what so many of these old sovereigns have been doing in exile, Philanthropy - This my raison d'etre.

Charlemagne was a fearless King, but also a compassionate benefactor to those in need and I remain true to my ancestors tradition and heritage through our philanthropic arm, the ‘Lichtenberg Foundation’. The Foundation is the heart and engine room of our activities today, supporting diverse Humanitarian and Philanthropic Programmes around the globe and from our Geneva mission, supports UN initiatives throughout our old realms, possessions, with the help of our Teutonic Knights, our Corps Diplomatique and our operating chancerys and priories on Four (4) Continents. The objective behind our endeavour is simple, to create a Philanthropic Icon which would shine like a beacon to illuminate and pierce the darkness of Human inequality. Please click on the link below and if you are moved as I was, you will understand what the Lichtenberg Foundation stands for, Hospitals, Caring and Help to the Sick, Children and others in need.

'THE POWER OF ONE' - YOU CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE
http://www.lichtenbergfoundation.org/videoclips/PowerOfOneClip.wmv

These are extracts from the 1994, Power of One with a moving original score by Academy Award winner Hans Zimmer and with credits Caring Strangers and www.oneearth.org. Lichtenberg is a modern Philanthropic Principality without land, in the style of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta ‘SMOM’ destined to become one of the World's Philanthropic Majors.

Maya de Haynau
Direct descendant of Charlemagne 742-814

Thank you for visiting our website home and we would welcome you to share in our endeavour, which we pray is explained clearly herein.
'Maya' de Haynau
Patron and Sovereign Head of State

Lichtenberg reconstituted as a legal Sovereign entity with protectorate status as a Foundation in law. Our major activity today as an entity without lands, is philanthropy, our members giving so that we may give to others. Sovereign Head is Princess Maya - Baroness de Haynau.

Lichtenberg has full time chancery or representative offices in Switzerland, Germany, United Kingdom and Australia and for prompt response to any enquiry, people may email info@principalityoflichtenberg.org

The Kings Secretary Einhard : described Charlemagne as - Six feet four inches tall and built to scale, with beautiful white hair, animated eyes, a powerful nose and a presence always stately and dignified.

Charlemagne

He was temperate in eating and drinking, developed vineyards in the Corton region in France, where the Charlemagne Wine label is sought after by connoisseurs. Charlemagne abominated drunkeness and maintained good health in spite of every exposure and hardship.

He was the Father of all European Chivalry and Knighthood, beginning Orders around 780, almost Six Hundred (600) years before King Edward the 3rd of England introduced the Order of The Garter.
The colour image of Charlemagne above in full regalia and the black and white image above right provides a good illustration of Einhards description

The most momentous event in Charlemagne's long and fruitful life occurred Christmas Day 800, when Charlemagne knelt in prayer in Saint Peter's Rome and Pope Leo III placed a golden crown on the Kings bowed head and declared him Holy Roman Emperor.

Knighthood in Europe was characterised by two elements, Feudalism and Service Charlemagne died on January 28, 814 and in 1165 was made a Saint.

Charlemagne was finally laid to rest in Dom Cathedral Aachen Germany January 28 814.

Dom Cathedral - Aachen

St Elizabeth of Hungary

Thereafter, our family line produced a line of Emperors, Kings and Queens, including King Andreas (Andrew) and his 13th Century daughter Saint Elizabeth of Hungary, and other Saints, King Frederick and the Austro-Hungarian Empire, a European succession the likes of which the world has never seen since the collapse of the Roman Empire and may never see again.

The Norman and English developments which became the English Jury system in law, came from Charlemagne's Jurata enquiry procedures. He produced a Magna Carta Four (4) centuries before the English, which John, younger brother of King Richard the Lionheart signed at Runnymeade on June 15 1215. The first Magna Carta did not succeed for King John disregarded it and died the following year. Reissued several times, it finally became enshrined in law, entering into statute in 1227.
See the Charlemagne Biography at ;
http://www.chronique.com/Library/MedHistory/charlemagne.htm

Charlemagne was a Giant ahead of his time and from this proud lineage, our Sovereign Head brings Twelve (12) Centuries of continuity and credibility, but more importantly a philanthropic voice to be heard.
In her words she often says;

"The Goal of my Grand Council is simple :
To make a difference in this world by combating Terrorism and its abhorrent Hatred of Humanity, replacing it with Love and Hope to a Hurting World so that one day, Mankind may come to realise, Violence is not Strength and Compassion is not Weakness".

EDIT