Hans Hermann von Katte
Hans Hermann von Katte | |
|---|---|
Küstrin | |
| Cause of death | Execution by Frederick William I of Prussia |
| Parent(s) | Hans Heinrich Graf von Katte Dorothee Sophia von Wartensleben |
Hans Hermann von Katte (28 February 1704 – 6 November 1730) was a Lieutenant of the Prussian Army, and a friend, tutor and possible lover of the future King Frederick II of Prussia, who was at the time the Crown Prince. Katte was executed by Frederick's father, the Prussian King Frederick William I, when Frederick plotted to escape from Prussia to Britain. It was possible that Frederick intended to defect to the service of the British King George II (his maternal uncle) and possibly return to Prussia to depose his father.
Life
Born in the Prussian capital of
.It is not known when Frederick II and Katte met for the first time. However, when they both attended private mathematics and mechanics lessons in 1729, they became acquainted rapidly. Frederick, eight years younger than Katte, admired Katte for his cosmopolitan attitude. Both were interested in poetry and playing the flute. The pair had an intimate relationship, and due to the long-standing perception (even during his own lifetime[1]) of Frederick as homosexual, has led some historians to speculate that their relationship may have been romantic and/or sexual.
One day in June 1730, the King came home earlier than expected. For one hour Von Katte and visiting composer Johann Joachim
A
Katte was beheaded at the fortress of Küstrin, where the king forced Frederick to watch the execution. However, when he was brought up to be executed, Frederick shouted in French to Katte, "Veuillez pardonner mon cher Katte, au nom de Dieu, pardonne-moi!" ("Please forgive me dear Katte, in God's name, forgive me.") Katte called back in the same language, "There is nothing to forgive, I die for you with joy in my heart!" Frederick then fell to the floor in a dead faint. These were Katte's last words, yet not his last farewell. Soon it was discovered that Katte had written a farewell letter to his father before his execution which stated:
Into tears, my father, that's how I want to melt away, when thinking that this letter will cause the greatest grief to a faithful father's heart. That all the hopes for my future welfare and its comfort in old age has to disappear at once; that all applied effort and diligence for my upbringing to the maturity of the desired happiness even have been in vain; yes – that I will have to bow in the prime of my years without presenting to you in this world the fruits of my efforts and my achieved sciences. How didn't I think to ascend the world and make your conceived hope one satisfied; how didn't I think that I will not lack of happiness and well-being; how wasn't I occupied from the certainty of my reputation. But all in vain! How futile man's thoughts are: At once everything is falling apart; and how sadly is the scenery of my life coming to an end; and how is my current state distinguished from that with which my thoughts have gone; I must – instead of promenading the way of honor and reputation – walk the path of disgrace and a shameful death. ... Get strong again my father, and believe me, God is with me in this game, without whose will nothing happens, not even a sparrow on the earth may fall! ... Meanwhile, I thank you with filial respect for all the father loyalty shown to me, from my childhood to the present hour ... Now nothing is left for me but to close with this consolation: Even though, my father, you haven't experienced anything high and distinguished from me in this world, oh! so please be assured that you will find even higher in heaven. Your faithful until death son. Hans Hermann[4]
Upon witnessing his death, Frederick was plunged into deep despair for three days. After that, he never spoke of Katte again nor ever visited his grave. Katte's remains rest in the crypt of the church in Wust.
References
- ^ An Old Traveller (18 June 1776). "For the MORNING POST". The Morning Post.
That great warrior Frederic's taste is unknown to none...
; sourced from Rictor Norton (Ed.), "L'Amour Socratique, 1776", Homosexuality in Eighteenth-Century England: A Sourcebook, 7 June 2021. http://rictornorton.co.uk/eighteen/1776amou.htm - ^ Anekdoten von König Friedrich II. von Preussen, p. 145-148
- ^ MacDonogh, p. 63
- ^ Theodor Fontane, Wanderungen durch die Mark Brandenburg, Volume 2 "Jenseits der Oder" – Küstrin: Die Katte-Tragödie.
Further reading
- Hergemöller, Bernd-Ulrich(1998) "Katte, Hans Hermann von". In: Mann für Mann. Biographisches Lexikon zur Geschichte von Freundesliebe und mann-männlicher Sexualität im deutschen Sprachraum, pp. 411/412. Hamburg: MännerschwarmSkript ISBN 3-928983-65-2
- Kloosterhuis, Jürgen (2006) "Katte. Ordre und Kriegsartikel: Aktenanalytische und militärhistorische Aspekte einer „facheusen“ Geschichte". From: Forschungen zur Brandenburgischen und Preußischen Geschichte. N. F., 15., Berlin ISBN 978-3-428-12193-9
- Merten, Detlef Der Katte-Prozeß, Berlin: De Gruyter )
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