The William, the national anthem of the Netherlands, celebrates not only the “German blood” but also the “noble blood” of William of Orange, the viceregent from the House of Nassau and leader of the Dutch Revolt (1568-1648). His “noble blood” means his descent from “imperial stock,” which as it were establishes the prince’s eminent personal qualities. This was the view not only of the poem’s author, Philips van Marnix, Heer van Sint Alde…