The UK's eccentric book-loving 'kingdom' Richard Collett In 1977, Richard Booth declared himself "king" of Hay-on-Wye in order to save the Welsh border town from economic ruin. On 1 April 1977, second-hand bookshop owner Richard Booth donned a homemade crown, marched through the streets of Hay-on-Wye and declared himself "King of Hay" outside the gates of the Welsh town's Norman-era …
