The king inherited a metabolic disease that periodically caused extreme abdominal pain, as well as spells of gout, migraine headaches, and boils. The disease also caused psychiatric disturbances, including sudden uncontrollable rages, most frequently targeting the youngest Frederick.
In spite of these rages, Frederick William designed his son's education, appointing an exceptionally courageous soldier as tutor. Had he known that the tutor was a scholar as well as a military man, he would not have appointed him.
"I don't want Frederick to clutter his mind with unnecessary information. Teach him only recent Germanic history, about political economy, military strategies, math, French, and German," the King instructed. "He is to learn no history before the sixteenth century--and after that only Germanic history. He is to learn NO Latin--that is of contemptible Italian origin, and is not to be considered!"
But Frederick's desires were not as limited as his curriculum.
"Herr Duhan," eight-year-old Frederick pled with his tutor, "please teach me Latin."
"But your father said...."
In the end Duhan caved in to the boy, partly because his own interests in Latin and classical history. One day, as they were having a Latin lesson, Frederick William came in unexpectedly. When he saw the text, he turned purple.
"I forbade Latin," he screeched. Raising his cane he beat Frederick unmercifully.
This beating was added to those he almost routinely administered for other "terrible" behaviors: wearing gloves in cold weather (an effeminate behavior, worthy only of a Frenchman), eating with a silver fork (self-indulgent), jumping off a bolting horse (no military man worth his salt would do such a thing--even at age 8). In addition to the beatings, a daily regimen suitable for an ascetic friar was imposed upon the boy, and he was never allowed to be alone.
Frederick and his sister, Wilhelmina, consoled each other through these times, and as they became older, they even became brave enough to taunt their father--with their mother's continual encouragement.
