Post- submission at Küstrin, Stratemann reports that now the marriage game for Fritz has been restarted. Also, his return to Potdam is, once again, imminent:
"The local rooms of the Crown Prince are with all eagerness being redecorated, and it's even said that the King had ordered all the wallpaper that used to be in these rooms, and all the books and papers which were still here, to be burned."
Same entry (August 25th 1731): the next unlucky guy to succeed Gundling and the rage-quitting Faßmann doesn't fare much better:
The successor of the late Councillor Gundeling and of Faßmann as court historian, v. Drost, has been offered by the King a salary of 1000 Reichstaler, but he keeps protesting and doesn't want to accept this office and the treats going with it; but he has still been ordered to Potsdam, and it's not doubted that given time, he'll accept everything since he's not capable of avoiding this.
Don't be so sure, Stratemann. Fritz gets three new beautiful riding horses sent to him to Küstrin; he's now reported as socializing with the Wreechs. Meanwhile, Wilhelmine has been allowed to drink coffee with Fritz of Bayreuth Otoh, Stratemann reports Fritz' secret library has been sold, though the buyer, a "French merchant", no name given, has announced he's holding it for Fritz as a future present.
It's the anniversary of the battle of Malplaquet (most devastating European battle pre 7 Years War; young FW, Seckendorff and Grumbkow were all youthful participants, and their relationship started there) which FW celebrates each year, this time by being so drunk he can't get up from the floor anymore without his servants' help.
September 22nd: hunting time, AW allowed to participate for the first time, Heinrich has fallen sick : The royal Prince August Wilhelm has been permitted to go hunting for the first time, with a gun, and he has sent the first shot partridge to the old governess of the royal children, Madame v. Roucoulles, as a present.
(Adult AW will not be a fan of hunting.)
Meanwhile, Drost, too, has gotten the hell out of Prussia rather than accept Gundling's job, "and nobody knows where. His colleague the advocate, however, has shown himself here again, and will probably be commissioned in his place. (...) The Medicus shall wear the same costume as the late Gundlng, and if he wants to, it will be permitted to him to let his wife come to Prussia, and it will be allowed to him to take his creditor, v. Lövenklau, as his Maitre d'Hotel.
So will this concessions make the guy accept the job? Stay tuned...
In October, FW proves he doesn't necessarily stiff actors: A strong man who has arrived from Italy this week has been at the King's and has displayed his strength and has presented comedies with his troupe which consists of about 20 people, whereupon both Majesties and the court were so pleased that ihe did not only receive gifts but has been permitted to show his arts in this country for money; which is why he has ordered a house made of wood to be built at Neumarkt here, and willl debut next week.
However, there's still an ongoing problem:
The King supposedly has a burning desire to debate again with a learned man like Gundling or Faßmann history as well als all matters in Europe, and wants to have such a man near his person again, which is why the vice director of Halberstadt, v. Dacheröden, who has proved during his last stay here that he is a capable man, has been suggested. So the King in order to close the arrangement quickly has given an order already.
Yeah, well...
It's getting near November, when Wilhelmine is supposed to marry. Her sister Friederike, who has married the Margrave of Ansbach even before Fritz' escape attempt, is coming to Berlin for the first time since that marriage for the occasion. FW decides to hire some musicians to celebrate her arrival.
Thus a few of the royal Polish musicians have come from Dresden. What's more, the so called Dönhoff-Horrible Band Of Musicians has arrived as a backup, which consists of lame clubfeets, one eyed and humpback bodies, so that everyone will be shattered by the ensuing noise.
I bet. Ugh at 18th century abelism.
November 20th 1731: Wilhelmine's wedding starts: The Crown Prince has not come from Küstrin, despite the Princess Bride kept begging with letter after letter for it, and no royal order has been edited to him, either.
As you noticed from Oster, SD is much displeased at the new comedians making sex jokes and wants to protet her daughters from same, so the three youngest princesses aren't allowed to attend the comedian appearances anymore. Stratemann gives a thorough description of the ceremonies and what everyone was wearing. Like I said, he's the old fashioned conservative gossip magazine of envoys. The bedding ceremony:
The King has helped the groom undress, the Queen has helped the bride, and then the later's eyes were bound while the bridal crown which was taken from her head has been given to another, who happened to be her youngest sister Princess Amalie, who took it. Then the noble couple had to go into bed in charming sleeping wear in front of all the illustrious guests, while the King held a little joking sermon and has sung a funny song, and then said: they should kiss each other now. Which they either out of awe or out of dumbness did not do, but probably wanted to postpone for another time. After everyone withdrew, the bridal couple was transported in chaises to the apartment destined for them, to which the King and the Queen followed them. They wished them a good night, and withdrew again; meanwhile, dancing kept up until late at night. (...)
Post Scriptum. De dato Berlin, 24. Nov. 1731. Last night around 7 pm and when the ball had already been started hours earlier, the Crown Prince, at first completely unknown and not with his cavaliers, has appeared at court. As soon as he was recognized by the princesses, his sisters (plural, yes), the joy has been indescribable, and many, many people both illustrious and not have shed tears of joy, including the Crown Prince himself. His Royal Highness looked somewhat serious while there was dancing, and hasn't danced with a lady other than his sisters and some princely people. He wore a grey suit, which had silver tressings at the edges, and which is referred in this country as a Secret Councillor Frock. So it is said that the King two days ago has sent an urgent message to Küstrin calling his royal highness here.
Stratemann will later say something more about Fritz at the wedding, which is typical for his style: first the white washed version, then somewhat later the admittance there were maybe some flies in the ointment after all.
There's a sketch of the wedding table and who sat where! So if anyone wants to write fanfic about Wilhelmine's wedding, this is really the book to consujlt. Even Polyanna Stratemann notes that SD retired early each evening of the wedding festivities after the first day.
FW is reported in a great mood throughout the week of Wilhelmine's wedding celebrations:
The King shows his tenderness towards the royal children in public, as they kissed the King's hands a dozen times, and have been allowed to kiss him on the mouth as well, which both the Margravine of Ansbach (Friederike) and her sister, the Princess Bride of Bevern (Charlotte) did at once, and then the former had to kiss her husband on the King's demand; morever, the Princess of Bayreuth and the little princesses received the grace to kiss their Papa and be kissed by him. After Count Seckendorff declared supper to have ended, the King gave in front of all illustrious guests with unusual solemnity to the Crown Prince the sword of an officer, and the uniform to go with it, along with the regiment Golz which was transfered to him, which is why on the following days one saw the Prince at the parade wearing a blue coat to the greatest marvelling of the public, as his royal highness just a year ago when the Cavalry and the Colonel Lieutenant office of the King's Regiment had been taken from him had vowed never again to wear a blue coat.
On the dispatch dated December 11th 1731, Stratemann admits that maybe it wasn't all harmony at the wedding:
Secretly, one is assured: that the Crown Prince when he was present here has shown a disagreeable face to some people, and that this has been the cause of his sudden departure back to Küstrin, and that this is why it's now doubtful that the Prince will get the Golz regiment and other privileges after all.
Okay. According to Wilhelmine's memoirs, Fritz was cold-to-rude towards her new husband and distant to her, and Grumbkow (neglecting to mention that he'd advised Fritz to put up some boundaries) told her the King was displeased by this. I had written this off as double talk by Grumbkow, but I can't think of who else Fritz was noticed to have been rude to at the wedding, causing this rumor to reach Polyanna Stratemann's ears.
On December 29, 1731, we get a description of the Hohenzollern Clan celebrating the Christmas of 1731:
On Christmas Eve, the King has ordered small frogs to be exposed in the antechamber in order to amuse the little princes and princesses, and has given presents to all the family of royal blood, which were very precius and consisted of silver pieces and gallant trifles. The Prince of Bayreuth and his wife were given presents in the worth of 1000 Reichstaler. The Margrave of Ansbach and his wife got presents in the same worth, and many boxes were filled with them. What the two oldest princesses thus received were other than two precious boxes dozens of plates, knives, forks and spoons, big silver soup bowls, great candelabras, two big spoons for potatos, a barber bowl with a pot and a box to put the soap into. Princess Charlotte the Bevern Bride has received two silver brooms for the kitchen and other silver pieces. Princess Sophie got the least of all from the King, as she was only given two plates and some pretty trifles, but the Queen has more than made up for this since her Majesty gave her secretly a big cruxific full of diamonds. Princess Ulrike, who is the King's current favourite, has been given various gallant trifles in addition to three big plates and one candelabra. The little princes received an equal share of silver coins but also silver rods, with which the King hit the Prince Wilhelm's fingers with in jest, whereupon the Prince was shocked and by jumping back had a bad fall, which is why he's now confined to a sickbed.
No matter how pleasantly this evening passed, the next Christmas Day the King was suffering from a strong colic and threw up, so that her Majesty, too, has not left her room. In the evening, the joyful news was spread that the King through the main doctor Stahl's care and eagerness has been completely recovered.
No, I don't know where he got the frogs in December from. And the German word is "Fröschling", which I can't translate in another fashion but "little frog". Also, poor AW.
Stratemann hears rumors that give yet another reason why Fritz left Berin not overhwelmed with joy:
The local fish market wants to know about the Crown Prince's recent return to Küstrin: that a marriage has been offered to this dear lord which he hasn't been able to agree with joy on yet.
Given whom Fritz ends up marrying, this is rather coy from the Brunswick envoy.
January 12th 1732: At Christmas, the Crown Prince has been in Frankfurt, where the students have prepared a song and some music for him. But his marriage keeps nearly every journalist busy to get the scoop on, without knowing any certainties.
Since this Frankfurt (an der Oder) musical presentation is one of the two origin stories for Fritz/Fredersdorf we have, I note they spent the Christmas of 1731 together, at least.
Stratemann's tactful hint that Fritz is no yett keen on EC: There is much rumor about this prince's current establishment about which, due to worrisome causes, discreet silence must be kept; one has to wait for the certain success.
In early 1732, Franz Stephan's impending arrival causes quite a buzz. He shows up on February 15th, i.e. a good month before the official Fritz/EC engagment party (March 10th), and is a hit with most people, including Fritz.
The report about the engagement party is written on March 15th: The Crown Prince has started the ball with the Queen after supper on this most special engagement day, the King with the Duchess of Bevern, then with the Princess Bride and some of his princess daughters, and all the illustrious foreign visitors have shown themselves joyful and happy, and entertained themselves with both old and new dances. (..) The Duke of Lorraine finds much joy here, and his royal highness likes this residence in particular, due to the free conversation and not being bound to any ceremony, but also due to the daily interaction with the Royal family, and he has said: that he'd rather sit and eat with the young princes and princesses than at the Queen's table.
I bet, Franzl, I bet. I mean, if you had the choice to sit with glowering SD or with the kids from AW and Ulrike downwards, whom would you pick?
FW has a great idea for an extra (and cheap) engagement present for his new Braunschweig in-laws:
The smallest royal Prince, August Ferdinand, who is now nearly two years old and has been called August so far, now following the highest order should be adressed as Prince Ferdinand, which is the name he received from the Duke of Bevern, whereas the first one was in honor of the King of Poland.
(August the Strong, who is now dead.)
The rest of the dispatches has the news that Wilhelmine has written she's really happy with her new husband in Bayreuth, the Protestant religious refugees from Salzburg arrive, and then there's the sudden time jump of a year to 1733 when Fritz gets married. No more interesting stuff. But no matter; Stratemann certainly delivered before that.
The Braunschweig Perspective: Wedding Bells are Breaking Up That Old Gang of Mine
"The local rooms of the Crown Prince are with all eagerness being redecorated, and it's even said that the King had ordered all the wallpaper that used to be in these rooms, and all the books and papers which were still here, to be burned."
Same entry (August 25th 1731): the next unlucky guy to succeed Gundling and the rage-quitting Faßmann doesn't fare much better:
The successor of the late Councillor Gundeling and of Faßmann as court historian, v. Drost, has been offered by the King a salary of 1000 Reichstaler, but he keeps protesting and doesn't want to accept this office and the treats going with it; but he has still been ordered to Potsdam, and it's not doubted that given time, he'll accept everything since he's not capable of avoiding this.
Don't be so sure, Stratemann. Fritz gets three new beautiful riding horses sent to him to Küstrin; he's now reported as socializing with the Wreechs. Meanwhile, Wilhelmine has been allowed to drink coffee with Fritz of Bayreuth Otoh, Stratemann reports Fritz' secret library has been sold, though the buyer, a "French merchant", no name given, has announced he's holding it for Fritz as a future present.
It's the anniversary of the battle of Malplaquet (most devastating European battle pre 7 Years War; young FW, Seckendorff and Grumbkow were all youthful participants, and their relationship started there) which FW celebrates each year, this time by being so drunk he can't get up from the floor anymore without his servants' help.
September 22nd: hunting time, AW allowed to participate for the first time, Heinrich has fallen sick : The royal Prince August Wilhelm has been permitted to go hunting for the first time, with a gun, and he has sent the first shot partridge to the old governess of the royal children, Madame v. Roucoulles, as a present.
(Adult AW will not be a fan of hunting.)
Meanwhile, Drost, too, has gotten the hell out of Prussia rather than accept Gundling's job, "and nobody knows where. His colleague the advocate, however, has shown himself here again, and will probably be commissioned in his place. (...) The Medicus shall wear the same costume as the late Gundlng, and if he wants to, it will be permitted to him to let his wife come to Prussia, and it will be allowed to him to take his creditor, v. Lövenklau, as his Maitre d'Hotel.
So will this concessions make the guy accept the job? Stay tuned...
In October, FW proves he doesn't necessarily stiff actors: A strong man who has arrived from Italy this week has been at the King's and has displayed his strength and has presented comedies with his troupe which consists of about 20 people, whereupon both Majesties and the court were so pleased that ihe did not only receive gifts but has been permitted to show his arts in this country for money; which is why he has ordered a house made of wood to be built at Neumarkt here, and willl debut next week.
However, there's still an ongoing problem:
The King supposedly has a burning desire to debate again with a learned man like Gundling or Faßmann history as well als all matters in Europe, and wants to have such a man near his person again, which is why the vice director of Halberstadt, v. Dacheröden, who has proved during his last stay here that he is a capable man, has been suggested. So the King in order to close the arrangement quickly has given an order already.
Yeah, well...
It's getting near November, when Wilhelmine is supposed to marry. Her sister Friederike, who has married the Margrave of Ansbach even before Fritz' escape attempt, is coming to Berlin for the first time since that marriage for the occasion. FW decides to hire some musicians to celebrate her arrival.
Thus a few of the royal Polish musicians have come from Dresden. What's more, the so called Dönhoff-Horrible Band Of Musicians has arrived as a backup, which consists of lame clubfeets, one eyed and humpback bodies, so that everyone will be shattered by the ensuing noise.
I bet. Ugh at 18th century abelism.
November 20th 1731: Wilhelmine's wedding starts: The Crown Prince has not come from Küstrin, despite the Princess Bride kept begging with letter after letter for it, and no royal order has been edited to him, either.
As you noticed from Oster, SD is much displeased at the new comedians making sex jokes and wants to protet her daughters from same, so the three youngest princesses aren't allowed to attend the comedian appearances anymore. Stratemann gives a thorough description of the ceremonies and what everyone was wearing. Like I said, he's the old fashioned conservative gossip magazine of envoys. The bedding ceremony:
The King has helped the groom undress, the Queen has helped the bride, and then the later's eyes were bound while the bridal crown which was taken from her head has been given to another, who happened to be her youngest sister Princess Amalie, who took it. Then the noble couple had to go into bed in charming sleeping wear in front of all the illustrious guests, while the King held a little joking sermon and has sung a funny song, and then said: they should kiss each other now. Which they either out of awe or out of dumbness did not do, but probably wanted to postpone for another time. After everyone withdrew, the bridal couple was transported in chaises to the apartment destined for them, to which the King and the Queen followed them. They wished them a good night, and withdrew again; meanwhile, dancing kept up until late at night. (...)
Post Scriptum. De dato Berlin, 24. Nov. 1731. Last night around 7 pm and when the ball had already been started hours earlier, the Crown Prince, at first completely unknown and not with his cavaliers, has appeared at court. As soon as he was recognized by the princesses, his sisters (plural, yes), the joy has been indescribable, and many, many people both illustrious and not have shed tears of joy, including the Crown Prince himself. His Royal Highness looked somewhat serious while there was dancing, and hasn't danced with a lady other than his sisters and some princely people. He wore a grey suit, which had silver tressings at the edges, and which is referred in this country as a Secret Councillor Frock. So it is said that the King two days ago has sent an urgent message to Küstrin calling his royal highness here.
Stratemann will later say something more about Fritz at the wedding, which is typical for his style: first the white washed version, then somewhat later the admittance there were maybe some flies in the ointment after all.
There's a sketch of the wedding table and who sat where! So if anyone wants to write fanfic about Wilhelmine's wedding, this is really the book to consujlt. Even Polyanna Stratemann notes that SD retired early each evening of the wedding festivities after the first day.
FW is reported in a great mood throughout the week of Wilhelmine's wedding celebrations:
The King shows his tenderness towards the royal children in public, as they kissed the King's hands a dozen times, and have been allowed to kiss him on the mouth as well, which both the Margravine of Ansbach (Friederike) and her sister, the Princess Bride of Bevern (Charlotte) did at once, and then the former had to kiss her husband on the King's demand; morever, the Princess of Bayreuth and the little princesses received the grace to kiss their Papa and be kissed by him.
After Count Seckendorff declared supper to have ended, the King gave in front of all illustrious guests with unusual solemnity to the Crown Prince the sword of an officer, and the uniform to go with it, along with the regiment Golz which was transfered to him, which is why on the following days one saw the Prince at the parade wearing a blue coat to the greatest marvelling of the public, as his royal highness just a year ago when the Cavalry and the Colonel Lieutenant office of the King's Regiment had been taken from him had vowed never again to wear a blue coat.
On the dispatch dated December 11th 1731, Stratemann admits that maybe it wasn't all harmony at the wedding:
Secretly, one is assured: that the Crown Prince when he was present here has shown a disagreeable face to some people, and that this has been the cause of his sudden departure back to Küstrin, and that this is why it's now doubtful that the Prince will get the Golz regiment and other privileges after all.
Okay. According to Wilhelmine's memoirs, Fritz was cold-to-rude towards her new husband and distant to her, and Grumbkow (neglecting to mention that he'd advised Fritz to put up some boundaries) told her the King was displeased by this. I had written this off as double talk by Grumbkow, but I can't think of who else Fritz was noticed to have been rude to at the wedding, causing this rumor to reach Polyanna Stratemann's ears.
On December 29, 1731, we get a description of the Hohenzollern Clan celebrating the Christmas of 1731:
On Christmas Eve, the King has ordered small frogs to be exposed in the antechamber in order to amuse the little princes and princesses, and has given presents to all the family of royal blood, which were very precius and consisted of silver pieces and gallant trifles. The Prince of Bayreuth and his wife were given presents in the worth of 1000 Reichstaler. The Margrave of Ansbach and his wife got presents in the same worth, and many boxes were filled with them. What the two oldest princesses thus received were other than two precious boxes dozens of plates, knives, forks and spoons, big silver soup bowls, great candelabras, two big spoons for potatos, a barber bowl with a pot and a box to put the soap into. Princess Charlotte the Bevern Bride has received two silver brooms for the kitchen and other silver pieces. Princess Sophie got the least of all from the King, as she was only given two plates and some pretty trifles, but the Queen has more than made up for this since her Majesty gave her secretly a big cruxific full of diamonds. Princess Ulrike, who is the King's current favourite, has been given various gallant trifles in addition to three big plates and one candelabra. The little princes received an equal share of silver coins but also silver rods, with which the King hit the Prince Wilhelm's fingers with in jest, whereupon the Prince was shocked and by jumping back had a bad fall, which is why he's now confined to a sickbed.
No matter how pleasantly this evening passed, the next Christmas Day the King was suffering from a strong colic and threw up, so that her Majesty, too, has not left her room. In the evening, the joyful news was spread that the King through the main doctor Stahl's care and eagerness has been completely recovered.
No, I don't know where he got the frogs in December from. And the German word is "Fröschling", which I can't translate in another fashion but "little frog". Also, poor AW.
Stratemann hears rumors that give yet another reason why Fritz left Berin not overhwelmed with joy:
The local fish market wants to know about the Crown Prince's recent return to Küstrin: that a marriage has been offered to this dear lord which he hasn't been able to agree with joy on yet.
Given whom Fritz ends up marrying, this is rather coy from the Brunswick envoy.
January 12th 1732: At Christmas, the Crown Prince has been in Frankfurt, where the students have prepared a song and some music for him. But his marriage keeps nearly every journalist busy to get the scoop on, without knowing any certainties.
Since this Frankfurt (an der Oder) musical presentation is one of the two origin stories for Fritz/Fredersdorf we have, I note they spent the Christmas of 1731 together, at least.
Stratemann's tactful hint that Fritz is no yett keen on EC: There is much rumor about this prince's current establishment about which, due to worrisome causes, discreet silence must be kept; one has to wait for the certain success.
In early 1732, Franz Stephan's impending arrival causes quite a buzz. He shows up on February 15th, i.e. a good month before the official Fritz/EC engagment party (March 10th), and is a hit with most people, including Fritz.
The report about the engagement party is written on March 15th: The Crown Prince has started the ball with the Queen after supper on this most special engagement day, the King with the Duchess of Bevern, then with the Princess Bride and some of his princess daughters, and all the illustrious foreign visitors have shown themselves joyful and happy, and entertained themselves with both old and new dances. (..) The Duke of Lorraine finds much joy here, and his royal highness likes this residence in particular, due to the free conversation and not being bound to any ceremony, but also due to the daily interaction with the Royal family, and he has said: that he'd rather sit and eat with the young princes and princesses than at the Queen's table.
I bet, Franzl, I bet. I mean, if you had the choice to sit with glowering SD or with the kids from AW and Ulrike downwards, whom would you pick?
FW has a great idea for an extra (and cheap) engagement present for his new Braunschweig in-laws:
The smallest royal Prince, August Ferdinand, who is now nearly two years old and has been called August so far, now following the highest order should be adressed as Prince Ferdinand, which is the name he received from the Duke of Bevern, whereas the first one was in honor of the King of Poland.
(August the Strong, who is now dead.)
The rest of the dispatches has the news that Wilhelmine has written she's really happy with her new husband in Bayreuth, the Protestant religious refugees from Salzburg arrive, and then there's the sudden time jump of a year to 1733 when Fritz gets married. No more interesting stuff. But no matter; Stratemann certainly delivered before that.