History of Friedrich II of Prussia

In Short

This work is a panoramic history of the Prussian state and its architects, the Hohenzollern family. It follows their trajectory from the arrival of the first Burggraf in the anarchic, bandit-ridden lands of Brandenburg to the emergence of Prussia as a major power. Combining meticulous research with a distinct, often polemical moral vision, the narrative frames the rise of Prussia not as a product of chance, but as a long, arduous process of subduing chaos and establishing order. It remains a foundational, albeit demanding, portrait of Prussian statecraft.

The Story

The narrative begins in 1412, when Burggraf Friedrich of Nuremberg arrives in Brandenburg to act as a representative of order. He finds a land in tatters, dominated by "Noble Robber-Lords"—squires who live by plunder and feuds, shielded by thick castle walls. Friedrich’s task is to replace this feudal anarchy with centralized law, a process that requires both patient diplomacy and the occasional use of the sword. The story follows the subsequent generations of Hohenzollerns as they consolidate their control, often clashing with recalcitrant nobles and local town councils who resist the imposition of a unified state.

As the Reformation sweeps through Europe, the family’s history becomes inextricably linked with the religious and political upheavals of the era. Figures like Elector Joachim II and his contemporaries navigate the dangerous waters of the Schmalkaldic War, balancing personal conviction with the heavy demands of political survival. The narrative emphasizes the "Hohenzollern way"—a pragmatic, often grim, dedication to duty and the tangible interests of their territories. They are not depicted as saints; they are men in "rugged practical boots," navigating a violent and often dishonest world.

The arc continues through the crises of the 17th century, including the agonizing period of the Thirty Years' War. The dynasty faces existential threats, surviving only through caution, strategic alliances, and the eventual strength of rulers like the "Great Kurfurst," Friedrich Wilhelm. His life, marked by intense work and a deeply human marriage to Princess Louisa of Nassau-Orange, represents a pivot toward a more modern, stable state. The story explores the complexities of his rule, his struggles with the "infiniment petit" of court intrigue, and his efforts to promote culture and industry.

The narrative reaches toward the end of the 17th and early 18th centuries, describing the eventual transformation of the electorate into a kingdom. By the time of the death of King Friedrich I, the whirlwind of dynastic politics and European warfare has begun to settle into a new, more rigid order. The final sections detail the complex, often tangled web of family lineages, such as the Anspach Margraves, illustrating how these individual lives fed into the greater, singular purpose of the Prussian state. Throughout, the writing maintains a focus on the necessity of "obeying the audible voice of Heaven," which, in the author's view, means aligning the state with the fundamental, objective laws of the universe rather than temporary, deceptive shams.

How It Unfolds

The arrival of order The narrative opens with the Burggraf's arrival in a lawless Brandenburg, where he must contend with entrenched robber-lords. This foundational struggle establishes the central theme of replacing private violence with public authority.

The shift toward statecraft As the dynasty matures, the focus moves to the intricate political games of the Reformation era. The rulers are shown navigating the treacherous "Donnybrook" of European conflicts while trying to maintain their own territorial integrity.

The trauma of the Thirty Years’ War The story captures the nadir of the Brandenburg state, where rulers are forced to confront superior military force and their own indecision. This period serves as the ultimate test of the family’s survival instincts.

The consolidation of power The latter sections document the rise of the Great Kurfurst and the stabilization of the Prussian administration. The focus shifts from mere survival to the development of a coherent, functioning, and increasingly modern sovereign state.

The final tally The narrative concludes with the solidification of the royal line and the mapping of the complex familial trees. It provides a sense of closure to the long, turbulent journey from the medieval frontier to the established kingdom.

The People

Burggraf Friedrich stands as the prototype for his successors: a man of law sent to tame a region defined by the "arbitrary rule" of the nobility. He represents the first true attempt to establish a central authority in a land of "thick-skinned" squires who refuse to recognize anything greater than themselves.

Elector Joachim II appears as a complex, "solemnly devout" figure who balances the profound weight of religious conviction with the practical, often expensive, needs of his office. He is a man of intellectual depth who reads Luther’s works as his "soul’s treasure" while engaging in the music and politics of his time.

Friedrich Wilhelm, the "Great Kurfurst," is presented as a quintessential man of action. Burdened by the crushing reality of war, he is defined by his tireless work ethic and his honest, deeply human partnership with his wife, Princess Louisa. His temper is legendary, but it is tempered by a genuine desire to build a lasting, orderly state.

Princess Louisa of Nassau-Orange emerges as a rare, sympathetic presence. She is more than a consort; she is a partner with "good judgment" who shares the weight of her husband's government. Her death, marked by the poignant detail of three faint hand-pressures, serves as a moment of profound personal loss within the broader, often cold, history of state-building.

In Its Own Voice

Regarding the early Hohenzollern rise to power and the rejection of historical dishonesty:

"It rose, in fact, by the course which all, except fools, stockjobber stags, cheating gamblers, forging Pamphleteers and other temporary creatures of the damned sort, have found from of old to be the one way of permanently rising: by steady service, namely, of the Opposite of Beelzebub."

Regarding the harsh reality of the Brandenburg rulers' commitment to their duties:

"They did not walk in altogether speckless Sunday pumps, or much clear-starched into consciousness of the moral sublime; but in rugged practical boots, and by such roads as there were."

Regarding the imperative to choose between truth and falsehood in the age of the Reformation:

"Life under Falsehood is not good for me; and we will try it out now."

What It's Really About

The book is a deep meditation on the relationship between power, morality, and historical necessity. The central argument is that the rise of the Hohenzollerns was not a matter of mere luck, but a reflection of their willingness to act in accordance with the "Laws of this Universe." The author posits that states, like individuals, face a constant choice between engaging with reality—however harsh—and succumbing to "spiritual moonshine" or "solemn shams." The text treats history as a moral arena where the avoidance of "dog-establishments" and the embrace of duty are the only paths to lasting legitimacy. It is a defense of effective, if occasionally ruthless, leadership, provided that such leadership serves a higher, objective order.

Why Read It Today

Reading this work is an immersive, often bracing experience. The prose is dense, muscular, and idiosyncratic, filled with a particular 19th-century vigor that demands the reader's full attention. Those who appreciate a narrative that treats history as a dramatic, high-stakes moral struggle will find much to admire. It offers a rare, unflinching look at the mechanics of power and the personal sacrifices involved in building a state.

However, the modern reader should be prepared for the author’s strong, often aggressive, opinions and his tendency to drop into complex, colloquial asides. The text is not a sterile history; it is a sermon in the form of a biography, reflecting the attitudes and prejudices of a different time. The length and the sheer volume of genealogical detail regarding various Margraves can be daunting, and the author’s habit of "chaffing" the reader or berating imaginary "dryasdusts" requires a certain patience. Despite these challenges, the book rewards the reader with its profound psychological insights into the lives of those who held the fate of Prussia in their hands. It leaves one with a lingering sense of the weight of history—a reminder that the institutions we take for granted were often forged in agony, uncertainty, and, occasionally, a quiet, resolute nobility.