| Fred's Father: The Soldier King |
His father Friedrich I (1657-1713), the first King of Prussia, had modelled himself after luxury loving
Louis XIV of France and consequently left Friedrich Wilhelm with a financial nightmare.
Louis XIV of France and consequently left Friedrich Wilhelm with a financial nightmare.
Friedrich Wilhelm suffered from porphyria, a hereditary disease which he had inherited from his
mother, Sophie Charlotte of Hannover, sister of George I of England. They descended from Mary,
Queen of Scots, the carrier of the disease which thus made its way into the House of Hohenzollern
and first manifested itself in Friedrich Wilhelm I at age 19, who furthered the strain by marrying his
first cousin Sophia Dorothea of Hanover, the sister of England's George II. (England's notorious
"Mad George" III also allegedly had porphyria). He had his first attack at the age of 19. Some of his
children sadly also suffered from this disorder. The disease causes horrible headaches, acute bowel
inflammation, difficulty swallowing, painful weakness of the limbs and sometimes can progress to
agitation, auditory disturbances, visual problems, insomnia and even confusion, mania and delirium.
mother, Sophie Charlotte of Hannover, sister of George I of England. They descended from Mary,
Queen of Scots, the carrier of the disease which thus made its way into the House of Hohenzollern
and first manifested itself in Friedrich Wilhelm I at age 19, who furthered the strain by marrying his
first cousin Sophia Dorothea of Hanover, the sister of England's George II. (England's notorious
"Mad George" III also allegedly had porphyria). He had his first attack at the age of 19. Some of his
children sadly also suffered from this disorder. The disease causes horrible headaches, acute bowel
inflammation, difficulty swallowing, painful weakness of the limbs and sometimes can progress to
agitation, auditory disturbances, visual problems, insomnia and even confusion, mania and delirium.
The disease probably accounted for his fits of rage, rashes and fainting spells almost daily from
around age forty. His moodiness and irrationality caused immense anguish to not only his family, but
to himself. He broke down completely in 1727, and from then on his symptoms steadily grew more
severe. Drinking brought him some consolation, but by the end of his life, he had become extremely
fat, swollen and gouty and was in constant pain. At the beginning of May of 1740, he gave detailed
instructions for his inevitable funeral, and on May 31st, he woke up and had himself wheeled into the
Queen's apartments where he informed her to wake up, for this was the day he would die. He then
ordered the royal horses to be brought before his window. As the hours ticked away that day, so did
his life. He asked that a beautiful hymn by Paul Gerhardt be played as he lay dying, 'Warum sollt' ich
mich denn grämen'. Based upon Psalm 73:23, it says: “Nevertheless I am continually with Thee:
Thou hast holden me by my right hand.” His death bed, below.
around age forty. His moodiness and irrationality caused immense anguish to not only his family, but
to himself. He broke down completely in 1727, and from then on his symptoms steadily grew more
severe. Drinking brought him some consolation, but by the end of his life, he had become extremely
fat, swollen and gouty and was in constant pain. At the beginning of May of 1740, he gave detailed
instructions for his inevitable funeral, and on May 31st, he woke up and had himself wheeled into the
Queen's apartments where he informed her to wake up, for this was the day he would die. He then
ordered the royal horses to be brought before his window. As the hours ticked away that day, so did
his life. He asked that a beautiful hymn by Paul Gerhardt be played as he lay dying, 'Warum sollt' ich
mich denn grämen'. Based upon Psalm 73:23, it says: “Nevertheless I am continually with Thee:
Thou hast holden me by my right hand.” His death bed, below.
Immediately, he took steps to drastically reduce royal expenses and he
himself led a frugal, almost Spartan life. He worked tirelessly on the
behalf of his people, drawing up manuals in great detail to guide the
farmers in the correct way to store grain and in new methods of
ploughing, to teach hunters how to kill predatory animals and to show
workingmen how to erect earthworks as a protection against flooding.
He detested idleness and told market women to knit stockings during
idle hours at their stalls. He loathed frivolity and chided those who wore
"extravagant finery". He hated waste, even of time, and threatened to
fine any minister who preached for over one hour. Friedrich Wilhelm's
self portrait left. He also liked to paint portraits of his soldiers. In later
life, he signed his paintings with "In tormentis pinxit" or "painted in
pain", because of his illness.
himself led a frugal, almost Spartan life. He worked tirelessly on the
behalf of his people, drawing up manuals in great detail to guide the
farmers in the correct way to store grain and in new methods of
ploughing, to teach hunters how to kill predatory animals and to show
workingmen how to erect earthworks as a protection against flooding.
He detested idleness and told market women to knit stockings during
idle hours at their stalls. He loathed frivolity and chided those who wore
"extravagant finery". He hated waste, even of time, and threatened to
fine any minister who preached for over one hour. Friedrich Wilhelm's
self portrait left. He also liked to paint portraits of his soldiers. In later
life, he signed his paintings with "In tormentis pinxit" or "painted in
pain", because of his illness.
Karoline Von Brandenburg-Ansbach, was the Soldier King's first love but she was older and the
feelings were not mutual, and she ended up marrying his detested Hannoverian cousin, George II
of Great-Britain (1683-1760). Beautiful and intelligent, she exercised a great influence over her
husband. In 1737, she died from complications of a ruptured uterus. She had given birth to ten
children during their marriage. George II, at the age of 60, was the last British sovereign to fight
along side his soldiers, at the Battle of Dettingen in 1743 in Germany, against the French. Ultimately,
Friedrich's grandmother arranged for him to marry the sister of George II, Sophia Dorothea of Great
Britain (1687-1757).
feelings were not mutual, and she ended up marrying his detested Hannoverian cousin, George II
of Great-Britain (1683-1760). Beautiful and intelligent, she exercised a great influence over her
husband. In 1737, she died from complications of a ruptured uterus. She had given birth to ten
children during their marriage. George II, at the age of 60, was the last British sovereign to fight
along side his soldiers, at the Battle of Dettingen in 1743 in Germany, against the French. Ultimately,
Friedrich's grandmother arranged for him to marry the sister of George II, Sophia Dorothea of Great
Britain (1687-1757).
The kings of Prussia, Friedrich I and Friedrich Wilhelm
I, were both great pipe smokers. In 1735, Frederick
William I and his best friend Stanislaus, ex-Polish King,
often smoked over 30 pipes between them within a 12
hour period. The "soldier king“ turned the "Tobacco
College", left, into a regular part of the Prussian court
in Berlin. The king enjoyed smoking a meerschaum or
clay pipe with friends and guests, including the clergy,
military officers, nobles and scientists, while discussing
current events and other topics, as well as playing
games. He enjoyed keeping abreast of the latest "guard-
room jokes." A so-called Tobacco College was popular
not only with the King of Prussia, but with almost
every German sovereign of that era.
I, were both great pipe smokers. In 1735, Frederick
William I and his best friend Stanislaus, ex-Polish King,
often smoked over 30 pipes between them within a 12
hour period. The "soldier king“ turned the "Tobacco
College", left, into a regular part of the Prussian court
in Berlin. The king enjoyed smoking a meerschaum or
clay pipe with friends and guests, including the clergy,
military officers, nobles and scientists, while discussing
current events and other topics, as well as playing
games. He enjoyed keeping abreast of the latest "guard-
room jokes." A so-called Tobacco College was popular
not only with the King of Prussia, but with almost
every German sovereign of that era.
Friedrich Wilhelm 1, der Soldatenkönig, came to throne of Prussia in 1713, and developed an early
passion for military life. A frugal man with simple tastes and a bad temper, he took religion very
seriously and, although a devout, almost puritanical Protestant, he was extremely tolerant of his
Catholic subjects and he detested religious quarrels. His lack of frivolities made him an able
administrator, and his policies were upheld for generations after his death. He personally visited his
subjects and established village schools for their children, decreeing education compulsory in Prussia
in 1717. In spite of his harsh reputation, he was much beloved by his subjects and respected for his
honesty, practicality and strong sense of justice. Far from unintelligent, he hoped to build a feared
army to act as a deterrent to the other formidable powers.
passion for military life. A frugal man with simple tastes and a bad temper, he took religion very
seriously and, although a devout, almost puritanical Protestant, he was extremely tolerant of his
Catholic subjects and he detested religious quarrels. His lack of frivolities made him an able
administrator, and his policies were upheld for generations after his death. He personally visited his
subjects and established village schools for their children, decreeing education compulsory in Prussia
in 1717. In spite of his harsh reputation, he was much beloved by his subjects and respected for his
honesty, practicality and strong sense of justice. Far from unintelligent, he hoped to build a feared
army to act as a deterrent to the other formidable powers.
| The Kange's Girls |
The King of Prussia served his country and his people honorably. He offered many thousands of
people a new homeland. Eager to repopulate the bleak landscape of remote corners of his realm
which had been devastated by plague and famine, he published immigration patents which drew in
political and religious refugees from across Northern Europe: Swiss Mennonites, settlers from Pfalz,
Franconia, Swabia, Nassau, some Dutchmen, many thousands of French Huguenots and even a
group of Scots who settled around Danzig and Elbing. In 1732, he gave new homes to over 20,000
Salzburg Protestant exiles. The Historian Lucanus stated in 1748: "In no European landscape was a
greater mix of so many foreign nations." His son and future king would later proudly boast of how
his father made the barren land blossom again.
people a new homeland. Eager to repopulate the bleak landscape of remote corners of his realm
which had been devastated by plague and famine, he published immigration patents which drew in
political and religious refugees from across Northern Europe: Swiss Mennonites, settlers from Pfalz,
Franconia, Swabia, Nassau, some Dutchmen, many thousands of French Huguenots and even a
group of Scots who settled around Danzig and Elbing. In 1732, he gave new homes to over 20,000
Salzburg Protestant exiles. The Historian Lucanus stated in 1748: "In no European landscape was a
greater mix of so many foreign nations." His son and future king would later proudly boast of how
his father made the barren land blossom again.
| His End |
It was apparently a lusty union according to palace
snoops, for shortly after the wedding, his grandmother
wrote to his father that he might be a grandfather soon,
adding: "to which end, as I hear, they are working day
and night in Berlin". The newlyweds, left, as painted
by Antoine Pesne. In spite of their compatibility in
some areas and lifelong faithfulness, they were said to
have argued frequently. She had a reputation as a
gossip and a snob and was a spendthrift, running up
huge debts from gambling. Her husband was so
frustrated and miserly, that once he ascended to the
throne, he decided to teach her a lesson by firing so
many of the servants that the queen had to help wash
the dishes. A son was born one year after their
wedding, but died when a few months old. The Queen
bore 13 other children, and one was a surprise. On
November 8, 1723, the Queen was feeling poorly and,
nobody guessing what was wrong, doctors were
summoned. To everyone's shock, including her own,
she gave birth to her twelfth child, never having known
she was pregnant.
snoops, for shortly after the wedding, his grandmother
wrote to his father that he might be a grandfather soon,
adding: "to which end, as I hear, they are working day
and night in Berlin". The newlyweds, left, as painted
by Antoine Pesne. In spite of their compatibility in
some areas and lifelong faithfulness, they were said to
have argued frequently. She had a reputation as a
gossip and a snob and was a spendthrift, running up
huge debts from gambling. Her husband was so
frustrated and miserly, that once he ascended to the
throne, he decided to teach her a lesson by firing so
many of the servants that the queen had to help wash
the dishes. A son was born one year after their
wedding, but died when a few months old. The Queen
bore 13 other children, and one was a surprise. On
November 8, 1723, the Queen was feeling poorly and,
nobody guessing what was wrong, doctors were
summoned. To everyone's shock, including her own,
she gave birth to her twelfth child, never having known
she was pregnant.
Prince Leopold of Anhalt-Dessau was born in Dessau, the only
surviving son of John George II, Prince of Anhalt-Dessau and Princess
Henriette Catherine of Orange. He was devoted to military ideals and
educated himself physically and mentally, becoming colonel of a
Prussian regiment in 1693, the same year he became a Prince. In 1698,
he married an apothecary's daughter against his mother's wishes, and
their marriage was long and happy. She played an active roll in military
affairs and sometimes accompanied him into the field. At the end of his
life, however, he had two illegitimate sons by one Sophie Eleonore
Söldner (1710 - 1779), the first of whom was a great-great-grandfather
of the future Manfred von Richthofen.
surviving son of John George II, Prince of Anhalt-Dessau and Princess
Henriette Catherine of Orange. He was devoted to military ideals and
educated himself physically and mentally, becoming colonel of a
Prussian regiment in 1693, the same year he became a Prince. In 1698,
he married an apothecary's daughter against his mother's wishes, and
their marriage was long and happy. She played an active roll in military
affairs and sometimes accompanied him into the field. At the end of his
life, however, he had two illegitimate sons by one Sophie Eleonore
Söldner (1710 - 1779), the first of whom was a great-great-grandfather
of the future Manfred von Richthofen.
| Lange Kerls |
Prussia's highly disciplined army can be credited to the excellent quality of its officers. The King did
not sell commissions, as was the tradition, but awarded them only according to merit. With the
guidance and help of soldier-strategist Prince Leopold of Anhalt-Dessau (1676-1747), below, the
remarkable monarch Friedrich saw to it that one in every nine men in Prussia was a soldier and
another 40,000 men were foreign mercenaries. From 1722 to 1740, the king's army grew to 80,000
well disciplined men, gaining him the title of "Soldier King." He was devoted to his army, which
suddenly made Prussia the third greatest military power in the world.
not sell commissions, as was the tradition, but awarded them only according to merit. With the
guidance and help of soldier-strategist Prince Leopold of Anhalt-Dessau (1676-1747), below, the
remarkable monarch Friedrich saw to it that one in every nine men in Prussia was a soldier and
another 40,000 men were foreign mercenaries. From 1722 to 1740, the king's army grew to 80,000
well disciplined men, gaining him the title of "Soldier King." He was devoted to his army, which
suddenly made Prussia the third greatest military power in the world.
Prussia now had a highly effective officer corps and the first effective light cavalry. The King also
established a native arms industry. He achieved considerable success in his endeavors and managed
to acquire Pomerania from Sweden.
established a native arms industry. He achieved considerable success in his endeavors and managed
to acquire Pomerania from Sweden.
By the end of his reign, barely 5% of the kingdom's revenue was dedicated to upkeep of the royal
family and state functions, while in France, for example, the royal family spent up to 50% of the
country’s revenue on their upkeep. During his reign, Friedrich Wilhelm kept his loyalty to the Holy
Roman Empire and its emperor, Karl VI. He supported the Habsburgs against France in the War of
Polish Succession. He also supported the Pragmatic Sanction, an agreement that all of the Electors in
the Empire would support the succession of Karl VI's daughter, Maria Theresa, to the throne of
Austria, should he have no male heir, which he ended up not having. Friedrich Wilhelm I died in
1740, the same year that Karl VI died.
family and state functions, while in France, for example, the royal family spent up to 50% of the
country’s revenue on their upkeep. During his reign, Friedrich Wilhelm kept his loyalty to the Holy
Roman Empire and its emperor, Karl VI. He supported the Habsburgs against France in the War of
Polish Succession. He also supported the Pragmatic Sanction, an agreement that all of the Electors in
the Empire would support the succession of Karl VI's daughter, Maria Theresa, to the throne of
Austria, should he have no male heir, which he ended up not having. Friedrich Wilhelm I died in
1740, the same year that Karl VI died.
But it may have been more than that. He might rightly have thought of how
intimidating a sight it would seem to an average size foreign army. He gave his
son, the future Friedrich the Great, his own toy regiment, the Crown Prince
Cadets, made up of 131 little boys whom the Prince could command and play
with as he liked. Friedrich was made a major of the giant Potsdam Grenadiers
at age 14, and he commanded the giants on the parade ground daily. When his
father died in 1740, Friedrich relieved the giants, over 3,000 by then, of duty
and allowed them to return to their homes. With the money saved, he was
able to establish four regiments of men of ordinary height in their place.
intimidating a sight it would seem to an average size foreign army. He gave his
son, the future Friedrich the Great, his own toy regiment, the Crown Prince
Cadets, made up of 131 little boys whom the Prince could command and play
with as he liked. Friedrich was made a major of the giant Potsdam Grenadiers
at age 14, and he commanded the giants on the parade ground daily. When his
father died in 1740, Friedrich relieved the giants, over 3,000 by then, of duty
and allowed them to return to their homes. With the money saved, he was
able to establish four regiments of men of ordinary height in their place.
If a man had the misfortune of being a very tall man in Prussia during the
time of Friedrich Wilhelm I, there was a very good possibility he would end
up being one of the king's tall toys in a special regiment, a unit known as the
Potsdamer Riesengarde ( the "Potsdam giant guard" ), nicknamed the "Lange
Kerls" by the Prussian people. The original required height was 5'11", then
well above average male height. The tallest soldiers were reportedly about 7
feet and some of the Potsdam giants actually towered above eight feet. It was
reported that the recorded height of a Scottish member of the Grenadiers was
at eight feet three inches. It was said that no ordinary man could reach the top
of some of their heads. In 1707, they were provided a new garrison.
time of Friedrich Wilhelm I, there was a very good possibility he would end
up being one of the king's tall toys in a special regiment, a unit known as the
Potsdamer Riesengarde ( the "Potsdam giant guard" ), nicknamed the "Lange
Kerls" by the Prussian people. The original required height was 5'11", then
well above average male height. The tallest soldiers were reportedly about 7
feet and some of the Potsdam giants actually towered above eight feet. It was
reported that the recorded height of a Scottish member of the Grenadiers was
at eight feet three inches. It was said that no ordinary man could reach the top
of some of their heads. In 1707, they were provided a new garrison.
The King, who was said to have only been between only
about 5 foot tall himself, organized three battalions so that all
who stood near seven feet tall and above were assigned to the
first ranks. The Guards regiment consisted of 60 officers, 165
grenadiers, 53 drummers, 15 horses, 15 medics and about
2,160 musketeers, not one of which was less than six feet tall.
about 5 foot tall himself, organized three battalions so that all
who stood near seven feet tall and above were assigned to the
first ranks. The Guards regiment consisted of 60 officers, 165
grenadiers, 53 drummers, 15 horses, 15 medics and about
2,160 musketeers, not one of which was less than six feet tall.
Irish born Grenadier James Kirkland measured 6 foot 11inches. Decked out in
red hats, blue jackets with gold trim, scarlet trousers, white stockings, black
shoes and a brimless hat, their weapons included muskets, daggers and white
bandoleers. The regiment had benefits that the regular soldiers lacked: more
pay and allowances as well as land and houses, and King Friedrich William I.
increased the army by a full one fourth in his first year.
red hats, blue jackets with gold trim, scarlet trousers, white stockings, black
shoes and a brimless hat, their weapons included muskets, daggers and white
bandoleers. The regiment had benefits that the regular soldiers lacked: more
pay and allowances as well as land and houses, and King Friedrich William I.
increased the army by a full one fourth in his first year.
He found big, powerful peasant girls for them in hopes that they would sprout more giants. As an
added benefit, the King never actually sent his giants into battle. Rather, they were an amusement.
Voltaire stated of the King: "armed with a huge sergeant's cane," (he) "marched forth every day to
review his regiment of giants. These giants were his greatest delight, and the things for which he went
to the heaviest expense" (and) "he played with them as a child would with enormous living toys."
When suffering from illness and confined to his bed, the King sometimes ordered two or three
hundred of them to visit and "preceded by tall, turbaned Moors with cymbals and trumpets and the
grenadiers' mascot, an enormous bear, they would march in a long line through the King's chamber
to cheer him up." Being a passable artist, he enjoyed painting the giants as well.
added benefit, the King never actually sent his giants into battle. Rather, they were an amusement.
Voltaire stated of the King: "armed with a huge sergeant's cane," (he) "marched forth every day to
review his regiment of giants. These giants were his greatest delight, and the things for which he went
to the heaviest expense" (and) "he played with them as a child would with enormous living toys."
When suffering from illness and confined to his bed, the King sometimes ordered two or three
hundred of them to visit and "preceded by tall, turbaned Moors with cymbals and trumpets and the
grenadiers' mascot, an enormous bear, they would march in a long line through the King's chamber
to cheer him up." Being a passable artist, he enjoyed painting the giants as well.
However, few new recruits came voluntarily. Some were simply abducted or
tricked into service, and they were recruited from all over the known world.
He offered rewards for tall men who joined the army on their own and gave
substantial rewards to fathers who sired tall sons; he also offered riches to tall
men serving in the armies of other nations, hoping they would desert and join
the Prussian army. Although the king was notoriously frugal, it cost Prussian
taxpayers around 36 million crowns for the establishment and maintenance of
this regiment. One seven-foot-two Irish giant was purchased at a reported cost
of over 6,000 pounds. Occasionally, other European kings gave the Prussian
king tall men as special gifts. Russian Czar Peter I, the Great, who stood six
feet seven inches tall himself, sent an annual supply of "Giants", including
Grenadier Schwerid Rediwanoff of Moskow, left. The Sultan of the Ottoman
Empire sent him some big boys. 12 very tall Africans were also added.
tricked into service, and they were recruited from all over the known world.
He offered rewards for tall men who joined the army on their own and gave
substantial rewards to fathers who sired tall sons; he also offered riches to tall
men serving in the armies of other nations, hoping they would desert and join
the Prussian army. Although the king was notoriously frugal, it cost Prussian
taxpayers around 36 million crowns for the establishment and maintenance of
this regiment. One seven-foot-two Irish giant was purchased at a reported cost
of over 6,000 pounds. Occasionally, other European kings gave the Prussian
king tall men as special gifts. Russian Czar Peter I, the Great, who stood six
feet seven inches tall himself, sent an annual supply of "Giants", including
Grenadier Schwerid Rediwanoff of Moskow, left. The Sultan of the Ottoman
Empire sent him some big boys. 12 very tall Africans were also added.
