@rlb From the same article, which may further explain why the red, white and blue existed prior to the Batavian flag:
"Statenvlag
After about 1630, the orange band tended to be replaced by a red one, as indicated by paintings of that time. The CIA Factbook suggests that this was merely due to the orange dye used tending to fade to red over time.[6]
Alternatively, it has been suggested that there is an older association of the colours red, white and blue with the Low Countries, going back even to the late medieval period. During the 15th century, the three colours were mentioned as the coastal signals for this area, with the 3 bands straight or diagonal, single or doubled.[7] Muller (1862) suggested that the colours were taken from the coat of arms of the Bavarian house, the rulers of the county of Holland during 1354–1433, who used the Bavarian coat of arms quartered with the arms of the counts of Holland.[8]
It appears that prior to 1664, the red-white-blue tricolor was commonly known as the "Flag of Holland" (Hollandsche Vlag); in 1664, the States of Zeeland complained about this, and a resolution of the States-General introduced the name "States Flag" (Statenvlag).[9] According to de Waard (1900), the Dutch navy between 1588 and 1630 always displayed the Prince's Flag, and after 1663 always the States Flag, with both flag variants being in use during the period of 1630–1662.[10]
The red-white-blue triband flag of the Netherlands as used in the 17th century is said to have influenced the Russian flag.[11]"
47
@rlb From the same article, which may further explain why the red, white and blue existed prior to the Batavian flag:
"Statenvlag
After about 1630, the orange band tended to be replaced by a red one, as indicated by paintings of that time. The CIA Factbook suggests that this was merely due to the orange dye used tending to fade to red over time.[6]
Alternatively, it has been suggested that there is an older association of the colours red, white and blue with the Low Countries, going back even to the late medieval period. During the 15th century, the three colours were mentioned as the coastal signals for this area, with the 3 bands straight or diagonal, single or doubled.[7] Muller (1862) suggested that the colours were taken from the coat of arms of the Bavarian house, the rulers of the county of Holland during 1354–1433, who used the Bavarian coat of arms quartered with the arms of the counts of Holland.[8]
It appears that prior to 1664, the red-white-blue tricolor was commonly known as the "Flag of Holland" (Hollandsche Vlag); in 1664, the States of Zeeland complained about this, and a resolution of the States-General introduced the name "States Flag" (Statenvlag).[9] According to de Waard (1900), the Dutch navy between 1588 and 1630 always displayed the Prince's Flag, and after 1663 always the States Flag, with both flag variants being in use during the period of 1630–1662.[10]
The red-white-blue triband flag of the Netherlands as used in the 17th century is said to have influenced the Russian flag.[11]"