So remember our friend the shepherd at Neuruppin, whom Fritz was offering to kidnap? One of my bios actually says--no citation given--that the attempt to take him alive failed, and he was shot to death, "but Frederick gained credit for trying." I don't see this in Fontane, but let's just have another moment of silence for poor 6 foot 4 guy minding his sheep.

I am also reminded that this was not just PTSD-ed son independently trying to appease his father, but an expectation of all commanders in the Prussian army to supply FW with their quota of tall soldiers for his viewing pleasure.

*silence for everyone impressed into the Prussian army under father or son*