Friederich, The Battle of Zorndorf on August 25, 1758.

Kriegsgeschichte

A. Arent, Brief Characterization of the Deeds and Achievements of the Prussian Cavalry since the Times of Frederick the Great.

Kriegsgeschichte

G. B. Volz, The Parchwitz Speech.

Organisation

The Prussian Army under Frederick William I (1713–40) - Chapter 1 - The Prussian State in the Year 1713

In the midday hour of February 25, 1713, Frederick I, King in Prussia since 1701, died in the Berlin Palace. Already on February 24, 1713, the dying king had summoned the heir to the throne, his son Frederick William, together with his wife and Prince Frederick, who had been born on January 24, 1712, to bless them. With Frederick I died a monarch whose figure easily recedes into the background between the three dominant personalities of Brandenburg-Prussian history — the Great Elector, the Soldier King and Frederick the Great. Married to the intellectually significant Sophie Charlotte (1668–1705), he was not only devoted to the fine arts, but during his reign pursued the elevation to kingship with skill and great energy. Because the Habsburg emperor was in urgent need of Brandenburg's military assistance in the looming struggle with France, he finally yielded to the persistent pressure. Frederick I's self-coronation took place on January 18, 1701, in Königsberg. The royal dignity was based on East Prussia, which stood outside the imperial association, and with it the scattered possessions of the House of Hohenzollern began the slow coalescence into a state unit; henceforth the dispersed holdings, differing in tradition, economic structure and interests, had an overarching — ideal — point of reference. This increased the influence of the central government in Berlin. The royal crown was symbolic in that it also embodied, in domestic politics, the absolutist claim to rule. The advancement in rank was also necessary so as not to lose political weight within the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation. As early as 1697, Elector Frederick Augustus I of Saxony (1694–1733) had become King of Poland. From the familial relations of Elector George of Hanover (1698–1727) — his mother Sophia was the great-granddaughter of King James I (i.e. James VI) — there also arose the Wettin claim to the English crown. After the last monarch of the House of Stuart died without issue, this claim was realized in 1714. Prussia could not be left behind in this respect. By the coronation it also assumed, in succession to Electoral Saxony, the role of Protestant protector in northern Germany, since the Saxon elector had earlier converted to the Catholic faith in view of the Polish crown. In the still strongly religiously shaped 18th century this was a factor not to be underestimated, which continued to have an impact during the Seven Years' War. In that respect, the royal dignity was more than mere satisfaction of personal vanity.