Hans Hermann Von Katte - Life

Life

Born in the Prussian capital of Berlin, Katte was a nobleman by birth, coming from a long line of aristocratic military men. His ancestors were squires of Wust in the Altmark. His father, Hans Heinrich Graf von Katte, was one of Frederick William's most regarded cuirassiers. Katte's mother, Dorothee Sophia von Wartensleben, was the daughter of a seasoned and revered field marshal, Graf Leopold Alexander von Wartensleben. Hans Hermann studied in Königsberg and Utrecht — his foci were French and law. After completing his studies, he joined the Prussian Army.

It is not known when Frederick and Katte met the first time. However, when they attended together private lessons in mathematics and mechanics 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. In the spring of 1730 Frederick revealed to Katte his plan to flee to France and to leave his harsh and despotic father, King Frederick William I. Katte tried to hold Frederick back, but at the end supported Frederick's plan to escape.

On August 5, 1730, while the royal retinue was near Mannheim in the Electorate of the Palatinate, Frederick tried to escape from his quarters. At that point Katte stayed in Potsdam. Katte was unmasked by a compromising letter as an accomplice and arrested shortly thereafter. Frederick and Katte were subsequently arrested and imprisoned in Küstrin. Because they were army officers who had tried to flee Prussia for France, Frederick William I leveled an accusation of treason against the pair.

A court martial found Katte guilty of desertion and sentenced him to lifelong imprisonment; but King Frederick Wilhelm I wanted him executed, declaring that "it would be better that Katte came to death than the justice out of the world." Katte was beheaded at the fortress of Küstrin. The king forced Frederick to watch the execution.

Katte wrote a farewell letter to his father:

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 ascent 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 human'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

— Hans Hermann von Katte, in Theodor Fontane: Wanderungen durch die Mark Brandenburg, Band 2 „Jenseits der Oder“ – Küstrin: Die Katte-Tragödie.

On witnessing his death, Frederick was plunged into deep despair. When he emerged from it three days later, he almost never spoke of Katte again. Katte's remains rest in the crypt of the church in Wust.