Eala Frya Fresena (East Frisian Low Saxon IPA: [ˈeːla ˈfrɪja ˈfreːzəna]) is the motto for the coat of arms of East Frisia in northern Germany. The motto is often mistranslated as "Hail, free Frisians!", but it was the reversal of the feudal prostration and is better translated as "Stand up, free Frisians!".[1] According to 16th century sources, it was spoken at the Upstalsboom in Aurich where Frisian judges meet on Pentecost and it is traditionally answered with Lever dood as Slaav, or in English, rather dead than slaves.[2][unreliable source?]
The motto refers to the legendary "Frisian Freedom", a polity and right to accept no rule besides the Holy Roman Emperor and the Christian God. The right was in the Middle Ages supposed to have been granted by Charlemagne for Frisian support of Pope Leo IV (who was not contemporary with Charlemagne). It was said to have been renewed by Charles the Fat in 885 for saving him from Normans. The Frisian freedom basically meant a claim of freedom from tax and fief, to defend themselves against the Normans, Vikings and the northern sea. Friesland offered unclaimed land for everyone, however the unclaimed land of the country was under water half of the day. The daily fight against the northern sea ensured equality of the people who were living on warfs during this time. Tax and fief was therefore replaced by the duty to build dikes.
- ^ "Wappen von Ostfriesland. Das Ostfriesische Wappen". www.aurich-tourismus.de. Retrieved 2022-12-14.
- ^ Funck, Nicole; Narten, Michael (2022-01-10). Reise Know-How Reiseführer Ostfriesland (in German). Reise Know-How Verlag Peter Rump. p. 388. ISBN 978-3-8317-5240-9.