Historical Characters, Including Frederick the Great, Discussion Post 44

[cahn]

Not only are these posts still going, there is now (more) original research going on in them deciphering and translating letters in archives that apparently no one has bothered to look at before?? (Which has now conclusively exonerated Fritz's valet/chamberlain Fredersdorf from the charge that he was dismissed because of financial irregularities and died shortly thereafter "ashamed of his lost honor," as Wikipedia would have it. I'M JUST SAYING.)

Comments

Re: The two letters from Glasow to Fredersdorf - Translation

[mildred_of_midgard]

I am frankly astonished that any of my guesses at that handwriting resulted in something you could render into a sensible meaning!

This does not seem to fit with the idea Fritz wants all remaining Fredersdorf caused expenses paid so Fredersdorf won‘t be bothered anymore, but it fits very well with Glasow getting cheeky and wanting Fredersdorf to pay for the horse fodder which may be the same one later showing up in the Leining and Fredersdorf correspondence while filching the money for said fodder away to himself.

Hmm, yes, could be! I definitely, when reading this and seeing Glasow report all these numbers, went, "We know what you're up to, Glasow! Posterity is on to you!" ;)

It‘s worth pointing out, though, that if you compare Glasow to Leining, Gentze and Anderson, he uses the usual 18th century polite phrases but does not mention anything personal, like Fredersdorf‘s health, or a shared acquaintance (other than the King), nor does he ask for advice

Advice: Don't embezzle, you will get caught. :P

yet Glasow has joined Fritz‘ service in 1755 (I think? Mildred?)

Manger says 1755, and I think he's the only one who gives a firm date. If it's true, and if Glasow went to war with Fritz in mid-1756, then Glasow and Fredersdorf were in each other's circles for a year and a half at best. So it doens't *necessarily* mean anything that they don't have a personal relationship, though with the benefit of hindsight, it does make one wonder.

So while there is a sense of connection between Fredersdorf and the other three letter writers - not that they are bff, but that these men didn‘t just work with each other but have a personal relationship - there is none of that here. As ever, that‘s just my impression.

No, that definitely stands out to me too. Given the rumors that Glasow drove Fredersdorf out, or that Fredersdorf stepped down because of jealousy of Glasow, I wonder if there were visible tensions betwen the two. Like, did Fredersdorf dislike/disapprove of Glasow? Was Glasow avoiding him because he didn't want Fredersdorf's eagle eye on his activities? Was there anything other than "one hot guy is getting older and new hot guy is younger" that inspired these rumors?

Re: The two letters from Glasow to Fredersdorf - Translation

[selenak]

Well, I couldn't let you do all that decyphering work in vain, now, could I. :)

if Glasow went to war with Fritz in mid-1756, then Glasow and Fredersdorf were in each other's circles for a year and a half at best. So it doens't *necessarily* mean anything that they don't have a personal relationship, though with the benefit of hindsight, it does make one wonder.

True, it's not exactly firm evidence, but ambiguous.


Given the rumors that Glasow drove Fredersdorf out, or that Fredersdorf stepped down because of jealousy of Glasow, I wonder if there were visible tensions betwen the two. Like, did Fredersdorf dislike/disapprove of Glasow? Was Glasow avoiding him because he didn't want Fredersdorf's eagle eye on his activities? Was there anything other than "one hot guy is getting older and new hot guy is younger" that inspired these rumors?

My guess is that it's a bit of all this. Mind you, I don't think Glasow had any kind of grand plan when he caught Fritz' eye. He probably thought hey, that's a sweet deal, and at first assumed it meant Fredersdorf was out of the picture, and if he was arrogant enough, thought this meant he was the new Fredersdorf. When he realised Fredersdorf wasn't really gone, and was a sharp customer, he probably was relieved at first he went with Fritz to war and Fredersdorf did not - and then he saw that a) war time Fritz was a different thing than peace time Fritz, and b) now that he was de facto Treasurer, with no more supervisor, there was lots of money to be made! Especially if/when Völcker pointed this out as well, and ordered the fake signet. Meanwhile, I wouldn't be surprised if Fredersdorf did wonder whether any dislike or distrust he may have had for Glasow was simply due to the fact Glasow was the hot red Porsche of hussars, and told himself not to be ridiculous.

Re: The two letters from Glasow to Fredersdorf - Translation

[cahn]

When he realised Fredersdorf wasn't really gone, and was a sharp customer, he probably was relieved at first he went with Fritz to war and Fredersdorf did not - and then he saw that a) war time Fritz was a different thing than peace time Fritz, and b) now that he was de facto Treasurer, with no more supervisor, there was lots of money to be made! Especially if/when Völcker pointed this out as well, and ordered the fake signet.

Heh, I buy this, and Glasow not having a grand plan. needs someone behind him who's more ruthless, doesn't he

Meanwhile, I wouldn't be surprised if Fredersdorf did wonder whether any dislike or distrust he may have had for Glasow was simply due to the fact Glasow was the hot red Porsche of hussars, and told himself not to be ridiculous.

Awwwww this is totally my headcanon now!

Re: The two letters from Glasow to Fredersdorf - Translation

[mildred_of_midgard]

Meanwhile, I wouldn't be surprised if Fredersdorf did wonder whether any dislike or distrust he may have had for Glasow was simply due to the fact Glasow was the hot red Porsche of hussars, and told himself not to be ridiculous.

Love it! Would read that fic! Especially as a sequel to "The Adventure of the Time-Travelling Valet." (Hey, we have a whole cast of characters for this episode now, including Joseph Benda and Mrs. Leining!)