It was formed after the islanders crowned the German adventurer Theodor Stephan Freiherr von Neuhoff[1] as King of Corsica.

He assumed the title of King Theodore I, issued edicts, instituted an order of knighthood, and waged war on the Genoese with consent of the 24-member Diet, at first with some success.

The Genoese put a price on his head and published an account of his colourful past, and he left Corsica on November 11, 1736,[2] ostensibly to seek foreign assistance.

In 1749 he arrived in England to seek support, but eventually fell into debt and was confined in a debtors' prison in London until 1755.

He regained his freedom by declaring himself bankrupt, making over his kingdom of Corsica to his creditors, and subsisted on the charity of Horace Walpole and some other friends until his death in London in 1756.