British Diplomacy and the Giant Grenadiers of Frederick William I
The tall army recruits known as the Potsdam Giants, F.L. Carsten writes, played a considerable part in the British diplomacy during the early 18th century, and the efforts of the Prussian recruiting sergeants to procure men of the desired size extended to the British Isles.
Frederick William I, who ruled from 1713 to 1740, was the real creator of the Prussian state and of the Prussian army, which was to make his country one of the major European powers. During his reign, everything was subordinated to the interests of the army, and the king himself spent far more time reviewing his troops and dealing with military affairs than with the administration of his kingdom.
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