18th-Century Characters, Including Frederick the Great, Discussion Post 33

[cahn]

And, I mean, it doesn't have to be just 18th century characters, either!

(also, waiting for Yuletide!)

Comments

FW: Awkward Negotiator

[mildred_of_midgard]

I could not resist these quotes about FW's mid-1720s negotiations. One I've shared before, but we have way more context now.

In 1725, G2 and Fleury are fighting with Eugene and Charles VI over who can get Prussia into their respective alliance. McKay:

Despite his bombast, Frederick William was a rather sensitive soul who appreciated having a fuss made of him, especially by Eugene and the emperor. He had tried his best to please Eugene the previous year in May 1725 when he had offered him a team of Prussian horses for his stables and a couple of elks and a bison for his zoo at the Belvedere.

Unfortunately,

Embarrassed at what seemed an obvious bribe, Eugene had replied that he never accepted presents and that his zoo was full.

In the end, FW agrees to join the anti-Austrian alliance of Hanover with France and Great Britain/Hanover, and commits to send troops in the event of a war. But--

FW: But I also get to send troops to Austria, because the Holy Roman Emperor is my boss!

Everyone else: ...

Lavisse: 

When he became allied to France and England, in 1725, he reserved to himself the right to furnish to the Emperor the contingent that he owed, in his quality of Elector, at the same time that he assisted the King of France with the number of troops fixed by the treaty. It certainly is to be regretted that this clause had not been put into action, and that Europe had not witnessed this spectacle of the King of Prussia fighting the Elector of Brandenburg.

But theeeen, in 1726, Seckendorff is sent to Berlin to try to lure FW away from the alliance of Hanover. Once FW switches sides and Austria and Prussia are allies again, presents are okay! Mckay again.

The first [treaty] was sealed by the dispatch to Berlin of the almost classical tribute of twenty giant recruits for the Prussian army; then in 1727 Eugene willingly accepted the king’s animals for his zoo and in return sent some Spanish stallions for the royal stud.