CHAPTER TWO
The Silesian Wars, 1740-5
For two months in the midsummer of 1740 it was possible to believe
that Frederick would live up to all the expectations of his subjects and
the philosophes. The new king abolished the judicial use of torture
within three days of his accession. He rebuked the body of his generals
for their brutality, and reminded them that humanity and intelli-
gence were as desirable qualities in a soldier as courage and boldness.
He issued a prohibition (later rescinded) of physical punishment for
the cadets of the Potsdam corps. The Giant Grenadiers, symbol of all
that was forced and artificial in the old order, were disbanded except
for a battalion of Grenadiergarde, retained in pious memory of
Frederick William. Instead, a new unit of household cavalry, the
Garde du Corps, was instituted to project an impression of glamour
and nobility.
The vision of the philosopher prince, intent on filling his court
with savants, poets and ballet dancers, did not survive the autumn.
Colonel Louis Charles de Beauval observed: The king of Prussia...
actually regarded all these things as recreations, or consolation in the
kiid of life he has chosen. His true inclinations drive him on to serious
action and to war' (Volz, 1926-7, I, 153).
The celebrated invasion of Silesia was indeed just the second of
the blows which brought the idyll to an end. A dispute had arisen
with the bishop of Liege concerning the sovereignty of the barony of
Herstal. The bishop's title was much weaker than that of the Hohen-
zollerns, and the local people had put themselves in the wrong by
seizing a Prussian recruiting party in 1738, but rather than pursue his
claim by peaceful means Frederick sent a most forceful ultimatum to
the bishop, demanding to know whether he intended to continue his
support for the 'mutineers' of Herstal. The Prussian cabinet minister
Podewils, accustomed to normal diplomatic usage, declared, That's
strong, that's lively - that's the language of Louis XIV!' (Schoenaich,
1908, 239).
When Frederick visited the small castle of Moyland in Cleves on
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