# Batavian flag

> Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Batavian_flag
> Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Batavian_flag.md
> Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batavian_flag
> Source revision: 1347974812
> License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/)

Historical flag

 Batavian flag.

The **Batavian flag** (contemporary Dutch: *Bataafsche vlag*; also called *Nationale vlag*, "National flag"[1]) is a Dutch [historical flag](/source/List_of_Dutch_flags). It was designed by [Dirk Langendijk](/source/Dirk_Langendijk) in January 1796,[2] and introduced in March 1796 as the official flag of the [navy](/source/Batavian_Navy) of the [Batavian Republic](/source/Batavian_Republic), replacing the [Statenvlag](/source/Statenvlag) (itself originating from the [Prince's Flag](/source/Prince's_Flag)).

## Description

Decree of the States General, describing the *Jack*.

The flag's colours and rows remained exactly the same (although the red and blue appear to have grown darker), but an important alteration was done by adding a [jack](/source/Jack_(flag)) in the upper left corner, several thumbs from the flagpole. This constituted a white rectangle, containing:[1][3]

- the [Dutch, Batavian or Freedom Maiden](/source/Dutch_Maiden);

- the [Dutch or Batavian Lion or *Leo Belgicus*](/source/Leo_Belgicus);

- a spear, held by both the Maiden and the Lion;

- a [liberty hat](/source/Phrygian_cap) on top of the spear;

- a shield with a [fasces](/source/Fasces), held by the Maiden;

- some green and [leaves](/source/Leaf) as base and background.

## History

On 1 March 1796, the Batavian flag was introduced as the [Batavian Navy](/source/Batavian_Navy)'s ensign. The flag, without the [Dutch Maiden](/source/Dutch_Maiden) in the upper left-hand corner, was adopted as the [Kingdom of Holland](/source/Kingdom_of_Holland)'s flag on 5 June 1806. This angered many Dutch sailors as they were used to the *[Statenvlag](/source/Statenvlag)*, under which they had won many battles in decades past. In August 1806, a riot broke out amongst the crews of the [navy of the Kingdom of Holland](/source/Navy_of_the_Kingdom_of_Holland)'s [Texel](/source/Texel) and [Amsterdam](/source/Amsterdam) squadrons, stating they no longer wished to sail under the new flag. Several sailors refused to take an oath of loyalty to King [Louis Bonaparte](/source/Louis_Bonaparte), and declared they did not want to take orders from his officers.[1]

The mutiny was severely punished, with one mutineer being shot through the head at point-blank range by [Vice-admiral](/source/Vice_admiral) [Jan Willem de Winter](/source/Jan_Willem_de_Winter). To calm the mutineers down, the *Statenvlag* was hoisted on the Dutch navy's warships, bringing the mutiny to an end. As a result of the mutiny, the *Statenvlag* became the Dutch navy's *de facto* flag, which was affirmed by a royal decree issued on 1 December 1807. However, its name was changed to *Koninklijke Hollandsche Vlag* ("Royal Flag of Holland").[1]

## References

Wikimedia Commons has media related to [Flags of the Batavian Republic](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Flags_of_the_Batavian_Republic).

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-De_Jonge_1-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-De_Jonge_1-1) [***c***](#cite_ref-De_Jonge_1-2) [***d***](#cite_ref-De_Jonge_1-3) de Jonge, J.C. (1831). [*Over den oorsprong den Nederlandsche vlag*](https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_2oQ6AAAAcAAJ). The Hague: bij de Gebroeders van Cleef. pp. [73](https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_2oQ6AAAAcAAJ/page/n80)–5. Retrieved 21 April 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-2)** Dirk Langendijk (3 January 1796). ["Model voor de vlag van de Bataafse Marine"](https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/nl/collectie/RP-T-00-1753). [Rijksmuseum](/source/Rijksmuseum). Retrieved 21 April 2016.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Publicatie der Staaten Generaal, bij welke de nationaale vlag van deezen staat voor het vervolg bepaald wordt. Geärresteerd den 14. februarij 1796.

v t e Flags within the Kingdom of the Netherlands Kingdom Royal flags Countries Aruba Curaçao Netherlands Sint Maarten Provinces Drenthe Flevoland Friesland Gelderland Groningen Limburg North Brabant North Holland Overijssel South Holland Utrecht Zeeland Public bodies Bonaire Saba Sint Eustatius Municipalities Amsterdam Eindhoven Groningen Maastricht Rotterdam Scheveningen The Hague Utrecht Weert Regions Frisia Historical Netherlands Antilles Netherlands New Guinea Dutch Brazil Dutch Suriname Prince's Flag Statenvlag Batavian flag Dutch East India Company Dutch East Indies

---
Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Batavian flag](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batavian_flag) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Batavian_flag?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.