History of Friedrich II of Prussia — Appendix

In this appendix the author opens a vivid window onto a single, unguarded day in the life of Frederick the Great. The narrative follows the monarch’s impromptu journey through the marshy Rhin‑Luch, a landscape he had scarcely seen despite years of military campaigns. Through the eyes of his diligent companion, the account captures the king’s curiosity and the stark beauty of the Prussian countryside.

Central to the story is Oberamtmann Fromme, a former artillery officer turned regional bailiff whose prodigious memory becomes the backbone of the record. After the excursion he transcribed every question and answer, producing a detailed paper that was later circulated among soldiers’ families and preserved in rare anecdote collections. The translation brings this meticulous, first‑hand testimony to modern ears, revealing the informal yet insightful side of a ruler often remembered only for grand battles.

The appendix blends scholarly rigor with lively anecdote, offering listeners a rare glimpse of Frederick’s personal side and the bureaucratic world that documented it. Its concise, documentary style makes the episode feel like stepping into a 1779 journal, while the surrounding commentary situates the episode within the larger tapestry of Prussian history. Listeners will appreciate both the historical depth and the human moments that emerge from this singular day.