Eala Frya Fresena

[1] According to 16th-century sources, it was spoken at the Upstalsboom in Aurich where Frisian judges met on Pentecost and it is traditionally answered with Lever dood as Slaav, or in English, rather dead than slaves.

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.

In the late Middle Ages, Friesland had no central government, but was ruled by either their local chieftains or changing foreign powers.

The Stedinger revolt of 1233–34 caused Pope Gregory IX to call a crusade against them, marking the decline of Frisian freedom.

The band Eastfrisian Terror, from Emden, Germany, released their debut EP "Lever Dood As Slav", the third song of which was titled Eala Frya Fresena.