Frederick-William (1688-1740), King of Prussia and his wife, Sophia Dorothy (1687-1757); facing left in red-bordered blue coat with gold embroidered button loops, silver breast plate, white shirt and cravat, ermine cloak draped over his shoulders, powdered wig; and she, facing right in white dress with bow at corsage, ermine-bordered deep purple coat, black falling lace veil from her powdered upswept hair

Frederick-William I succeeded his father Frederick I in 1713. Known as the Soldier King for his love of soldiering, he established a centralized hierarchy of administrative offices that gave Prussia the most professional bureaucracy in Europe as well as a formidable army. He married Sophia Dorothea, daughter of King George I, in 1706 and had numerous children including his successor, the future King Frederick the Great. When young Frederick the Great and his boyfriend von Katte tried to escape from the paternal tyranny, both were caught, tried and condemned to death; although young Frederick was pardoned by his father, he was forced to watch the execution of his beloved friend.