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Facts About Germany German History German Recipes |
On January 18, 1701 Friedrich III, Elector of Brandenburg (11.07.1657 - 25.02.1713), crowned himself as King in Prussia. Today, exactly 300 years after this outstanding event, the government heads of Berlin and Brandenburg, Mr. Diepgen and Mr. Stolpe, officially opened the celebrations on the occasion in the Berlin theater on Gendarmenmarkt. During 2001, more than 100 museums and cultural institutions will hold a series of exhibitions on the topic of Prussia and its history. Exhibitions will be accompanied by festivals in castles and villages.
"Prussia 2001" is coordinated by the Museum Educational Service of Berlin in corporation with the Museum Association of Brandenburg and the Association of Berlin Museums. Now, back to history... 43-year-old Elector
Friedrich III couldn't wait to become the King. On December 17, 1700 he
started a gigantic action -- with 300 carts and vehicles, accompanied
by 200 persons, all carried by 30000 horses -- and set off to Koenigsberg,
the place of his coronation. By January 18, 1701 everything was ready
-- trumpeters, drummers, bells. The King-to-be created a scenario for
his own coronation. The people of Koenigsberg saluted Friedrich and his
wife Sophie Charlotte as their King and Queen. Friedrich put the crown
onto his own head and after that let the bishops whom he had appointed
specially for this occasion bless him and his reigning. Only with the
bishops' blessing the kingship was considered to be given by God. Thus
Friedrich III became Friedrich I King in Prussia. He dared not call himself
King of Prussia because some parts of Prussia were still dominated by
Poland. Not seeing, or not willing to see the Queen's sufferings, the King continued his performance. The servants brought the first and best piece of roasted ox and two rummers of wine for the royal couple. The feast began. Golden and silver coins to the sum of 6000 thalers were scattered among the crowd. The first day of the celebration finished with the beautiful fireworks and illumination. The whole celebration continued till spring and finished in Berlin. Afterwards it occurred that the event cost the King a pretty penny, that is a pretty thaler. The full cost was six million thalers! Considering the fact that the King's yearly income was four million only, it was nothing but spendthrifting. Europe recognized the new kingdom. One by one Polish King August II, German Kaiser, rulers of Denmark, England, Russia, the Netherlands, Switzerland, and others greeted the new King. French, Swiss and Spanish rulers later joined the others in recognizing and welcoming King Friedrich I in Prussia. Brandenburg became the central province of the Prussian kingdom, all institutions and the army were referred to as royal. Related links: • Prussia's
Emergence as Military Power |
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