Declaration of Independence

The Declaration of Independence was a document signed at the Convention of Grijzestad in 1427, declaring Brunant's independence from Venice. One of the two original copies remains in fair condition, despite illegally leaving the country twice. The other was destroyed in a fire, but its remains are still in existence. 30 ancient printed copies are also known, but only 9 have been located.

History[]

From 19 May to 9 June 1427, the Convention of Grijzestad met in Grijzestad in order to make Brunant independent from Venetian control. The convention was unanimous in its call for independence. By the 24th, a draft declaration had been approved and was being signed as delegates arrived. Very little was debated on this; the declaration was rather neutrally worded as to not alienate support.

Copies[]

Signed copy[]

The declaration signed by the convention's 39 members was housed in the Grijzestad Market Hall until it burned down in 1480. The Declaration survived the fire and was kept in the Grijzestad City Hall for the next centuries. During the Franco-Brunanter War, the declaration (as well as the Bill of Rights) were smuggled out to Spain by some soldiers, who returned with the documents in 1760. It is presently located in the Ancient Documents Hall of the State Museum in Koningstad, where it was transferred in 1910. Along with other important documents and treasures, it was smuggled out of the country following the German invasion in 1941, and only brought back until the war's end in 1945.

Other copies[]

A second, unsigned copy of the declaration was also written at the Convention of Grijzestad, and was used by the government for public readings at Brunant's major towns, while the signed copy was kept in secure. After the thirty printed copies were made, this copy too was put into a secure location. This copy was owned by the Van Damme family for many years until 1612, when a fire broke out in the family home and heavily damaged the document. The remains were donated to the Grijzestad University, where it remains today.

Due to the fading of the two original copies of the document, in 1477, the government authorized printer Antonio Voerholm to print 30 copies of the declaration in commemoration of its semicentennial. Each copy was numbered by the printer, from 1 through 30. These copies were distributed to government officials and town halls in Brunant. The locations of nine of the copies are still known, with the best-preserved one located in the Rosetown Public Library. This copy, number 26, was kept out of light for four centuries, reducing fading. Nevertheless, due to the age of the document, it is difficult to read. The other 8 copies are illegible due to fading.