King in Prussia facts for kids
The title King in Prussia was used by the rulers of Prussia from 1702 to 1772. It was a special title that showed their power was growing. This title was different from "King of Prussia," which came later.
Contents
The Start of the Title: King in Prussia
For a long time, the rulers of Prussia were known as Princes and Margraves. They really wanted to be called Kings. However, the powerful Holy Roman Emperor would not let them use the full title of "King of Prussia." This was because parts of Prussia were still inside the Holy Roman Empire.
Why "King in Prussia" and Not "King of Prussia"?
In 1701, a big war started called the War of the Spanish Succession. Many countries in Europe were fighting. The Holy Roman Emperor, Leopold I, needed help in this war. In exchange for support from Frederick, the ruler of Prussia, Emperor Leopold I allowed Frederick to call himself "King in Prussia."
This meant Frederick was a king, but only for the part of Prussia that was outside the Holy Roman Empire. This part was called the Duchy of Prussia. So, he was seen as a king in that specific area, but not over all of Prussia, especially the parts still within the Emperor's control.
Becoming King of Prussia
Over time, the Holy Roman Emperor became less powerful. In 1772, Frederick II, who was a later ruler of Prussia, made a big change. He took over many parts of Poland, which made Prussia much larger.
Because the Emperor's power had weakened, Frederick II decided to change his title. He began to call himself "King of Prussia." This new title showed that he was now the king of all of Prussia, not just a part of it. The Holy Roman Empire finally ended in 1806.
See also
In Spanish: Rey en Prusia para niños
