Cape Colony, 1803
In 1803, upon cessation of hostilities with France, the British handed the Cape Colony back to the Dutch. The Netherlands was now under the domination of the French, who had proclaimed the Batavian Republic. Since 1796 naval flags had a panel on the red stripe featuring the Dutch Maiden, symbolising the Netherlands, bearing a shield with the Roman fasces and a lance crowned with the cap of liberty, and a lion at her feet.