Re: Website grand duchy.org and certain content thereof

It has come to our attention that some recent posts on an internet based international heraldry forum have posted images and discussed certain heraldic achievements found by a member of the forum at a website associated with an individual residing in Tasmania who styles himself “John, Duke of Avram”. His real name is John Rudge. Mr. Rudge, his website and his activities are not associated in any way with the Principality of Hutt River.

The activities of this person and his presence on the World Wide Web have been known to PHR authorities for over a decade. He was warned numerous times to cease and desist portraying himself as in any way associated with PHR but refused to cooperate. In 2002 he was stripped of any and all PHR titles, offices and /or honours which he previously may have held.

In my position as Earl Marshal, in Spring if 2003, I wrote to John Rudge on behalf of the newly reorganized Royal College of Heraldry, demanding he stop claiming to hold the Title and Office to which I had succeeded. No reply was received and no changes were made to his website.

This Principality has seen fit to issue a previous warning about this unauthorised website which may be found here: http://www.principality-hutt-river.org/HRP_Bogus_Website_Warning.htm

Security alerts regarding claimants to the Principality have also been previously issued & may be found here: http://www.principality-hutt-river.org/DSF/PHR_DSF_Alert_on_Electronic_Communications.htm http://www.principality-hutt-river.org/DSF/PHR_DSF_Security_Advice_Re_Internet_Representation.htm

All persons of good faith are asked to disregard this person’s claims. Any historical and archival images that he may display that relate to Hutt River Province [early name of the Principality] are used without permission or sanction of the RCH. and indeed many of the depictions are not and have never been part of the heraldry of the Principality as is claimed on his website. Honours of the Principality are certainly never offered for sale; rather, potential recipients must be nominated by application to the RCH, forms for which are available on our website or by application to the Earl Marshal. Further, it should be noted that honours can only be conferred by the Sovereign.  

Sir David

Sir David P. Burkart, KGSRO
Earl Marshal