Happy Birthday Der Alte Fritz!

Frederick the Great, King of Prussia

Today marks the birthday of Frederick the Great, who was born on January 24, 1712 in Potsdam, Brandenburg. He died on August 17, 1786 and was the longest reigning Hohenzollern monarch in Prussian/German Empire history.

Frederick's Biography

Frederick was well educated, having written a number of books including Ante Machiavel, which was a refutation of Niccolo Machiavelli's book The Prince.

Frederick was much the quipster, being highly quotable:

* The more I see of men, the better I like my dog.

* A crown is merely a hat that lets the rain in.

* He who defends everything defends nothing.

* People say what they like and then I do what I like.

* God is always with the strongest battalions. 

* Rogues, would you live forever?

* Great things are only achieved when we take great risks.

* All religions must be tolerated...for...every man must get to heaven his own way.

* Do not forget your great guns, which are the most respectable arguements of the rights of kings.

Frederick's staff sign the birthday card that they plan to give him today.

The pictures shown in today's blog are all Minden Miniatures from the Personality Figures range. The fellow in the background, on horse with orange sash, is Prince Leopold of Anhalt-Dessau. The group of officers on foot pouring over a map are from the Ferdinand of Brunswick set of figures. The stand with the artillery regimental flag are the Prussian colonel mounted on an RSM standing horse, while the officer with spontoon is holding the standard instead.

Happy Birthday Fritz, you old dog.