I found this on the internet which answers part of the question about the text in the red banner:
Quote:
Q...I read that "Ik zal handhaven" is the Netherlands' national motto. What does it mean, exactly? The English translation is " I will stand fast"
A...The literal text of the Dutch weapon is 'Je maintiendrai' - which indeed means 'Ik zal handhaven'. 'Handhaven' means: to keep something intact, like rules, order, the law, etc. In this context it means that with this motto the princes promised to not give up the sovereignity of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
Posted 01/29/2011 9:18 pm
