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In 1701 Elector Friedrich III of Brandenburg crowned himself King in Prussia. The article focuses on the Krönungs-Geschichte, the official report of the coronation. This was written by Johann von Besser, poet and master of ceremonies at the Hohenzollern court. The article explores Besser's presentation of the new monarchy. Points of focus include his depiction of the new king and queen, his treatment of the relationship between Friedrich and his father, the Great Elector, on whose achievements the new monarchy was largely based, and his portrayal of the emerging power of Brandenburg-Prussia.
Shortly after 8 o'clock in the morning on Tuesday, 18 January 1701, Friedrich III, Elector of Brandenburg, crowned himself Friedrich I, King in Prussia, in the Authentz-Saal of his residence in Königsberg. After taking the royal scepter in his grasp, he then commanded his Ober-Cämmerer, Johann Kasimir, Count Kolbe von Wartenberg, to distribute the other insignia of office, the Reichs-Siegel, the ReichsApfel, the Reichs-Schwert, and the Reichs-Bannier, among his Prussian ministers. Accompanied by them and the rest of his retinue he then proceeded to the crowded chambers of his wife, Sophie Charlotte, whom he, "mit einer liebreichen Freudigkeit," crowned queen.1 (Figure 1)
The attainment of a crown and the subsequent advance in status had been a long-term ambition nursed by Friedrich (1657-1713) certainly since his succession in 1688, possibly from even earlier.2 An objective appraisal of this achievement was hindered for many years by Friedrich the Great's notorious dismissal of his grandfather, whom he regarded as "groB im Kleinen und klein im GroBen", unable to distinguish between vanity and real greatness. In the opinion of Friedrich LI the establishment of the crown by Friedrich I only highlighted the latter's extravagance and his preoccupation with etiquette."' This authoritative tone initially prompted historians to view the creation of the kingship in highly equivocal terms.4 The suggestion that the grandeur of the crown acted as a form of compensation to Friedrich I, a hunchback of only slight physical stature, appeared plausible and is still promulgated by some historians today.5 Yet while contemporary historiography may continue to refer to Friedrich's sensitivity regarding issues relating to prestige and standing, its assessment also takes into account the broader issues which confronted him, particularly the position of the...