Trip/Process

King Frederick Wilhelm I’s (the Soldier King) trip with the crown prince through southern and western Germany in 1730

The description of young Frederick’s escape attempt at Steinsfurt takes place during his father’s Prince Journey. King Frederick Wilhelm I of Prussia traveled through Germany between 14 July and 27 August 1730 to promote the policy of a German Kaiser at the various princely residencies. At the same time, the Prussian king used the opportunity to visit family (including his daughter, Luise, who was married and in Ansback at the time).

The journey began in Potsdam, passed through Leipzig, Meuselwitz, Saalfeld, Coburg (19 July), following on to Bamberg, Erlangen, Nuremberg and Ansbach (22 – 27 July). Further stations included  Augsburg, Ludwigsburg, Mannheim, Darmstadt, Frankfurt am Main (8 August), Koblenz and Wesel, where there was a famous dramatic incident in which General von der Mosel courageously stepped in and protected the crown prince from the enraged King. While the crown prince was transferred via Halle to Küstrin under the strictest security measures, Frederick Wilhelm traveled via Halle back to Berlin.

Kronprinzen-Prozess