Although a highly effective ruler, Frederick William had a perpetually short temper which sometimes drove him to physically attack servants (or even his own children) with a cane at the slightest perceived provocation. His violent, harsh nature was further exacerbated by his inherited porphyritic disease, which gave him gout, obesity and frequent crippling stomach pains.Mitford, Nancy (1970). Frederick the Great, New York: Harper & Row, Publishers, p. 17. He also had a notable contempt for France, and would sometimes fly into a rage at the mere mention of that country, although this did not stop him from encouraging the immigration of French Huguenot refugees to Prussia.
although a highly effective ruler frederick william had a perpetually short temper which sometimes drove him to physically attack servants (or even his own children) with a cane at the slightest perceived provocation his violent harsh nature was further exacerbated by his inherited porphyritic disease which gave him gout obesity and frequent crippling stomach painsmitford nancy (1970) frederick the great new york harper & row publishers p 17 he also had a notable contempt for france and would sometimes fly into a rage at the mere mention of that country although this did not stop him from encouraging the immigration of french huguenot refugees to prussia