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

Baroness von Knyphausen

[mildred_of_midgard]

Well, firstly, given FWs FW-ness in 1736, she didn't necessarily know Fritz was sympathetic in 1736!

Agreed, I just thought it was interesting that it didn't translate to anything positive after he became king. Agree that Peter was probably a significant reason, and not just the slighting but possibly the war starting. Jordan says:

La Knyphausen is very sad to see that Keith, to whom she has promised her eldest daughter, and whom she regarded as the future support of her family, is about to leave. I believe that she is seeking to retire to her lands in Ost-Frisia, and that she will ask for permission.

Also, if I understood this correctly she wasn't in Berlin at the time but in the countryside

And if she was in Jennelt, she was not just in the countryside but all the way over in East Frisia! East Frisia being where the Knyphausen family came from, and Jennelt one of their estates there, as felis and I found when we researched possible burial places for Peter. Reminder for cahn: East Frisia or East Friesland is near the Netherlands, and won't become Prussian territory until 1744, when the local ruling family dies out and Fritz inherits.

Still, if she did have a reputation for liking money and being thrifty, the nature of the present could be influenced by this.

Indeed, and when felis reminded me that Voltaire said she was ruined, I thought that maybe this rumor started because she complained so much about the fine!