Thursday 12 February 2009

Leopold I Prince of Anhalt-Dessau




I admit to having a soft spot for the 'Old Dessauer' (1676-1747). Maybe it's because he insisted on marrying his love, an apothecary's daughter and subsequently having a successful marriage which produced 10 children. Leopold and Anna Louise had a long and happy marriage, and the Princess acquired an influence over the stern nature of her husband which she never ceased to exert on behalf of his subjects, and after the death of Leopold's mother she performed the duties of regent when he was absent on campaign. Often, too, she accompanied him into the field. (wiki) He certainly created, with the adoption into the army the cadenced step and iron ramrod, a world-beating infantry. Here's a modern painting of him at the Battle of Turin and a plate of his regiment by Richard Knötel .

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