| Hans Hermann von Katte | |
|---|---|
| Born | 28 February 1704 Berlin, Prussia |
| Died | 6 November 1730 (aged 26) |
| Cause of death | Execution by Frederick William I of Prussia |
| Parents | Hans Heinrich Graf von Katte Dorothee Sophia von Wartensleben |
Hans Hermann von Katte (February 28, 1704 – November 6, 1730) was a Lieutenant of the Prussian Army and close friend and possibly lover of the future Frederick II of Prussia, then the Crown Prince. He was executed by Frederick's father King Frederick William I of Prussia when he and Frederick plotted to escape from the Kingdom of Prussia to the Kingdom of Great Britain. Some believe that the two were fleeing to Great Britain where they would defect to the service of George II of Great Britain (Frederick's maternal uncle) and possibly return to Prussia to depose Frederick William.
Born in the Prussian capital of Berlin, Katte was a nobleman by birth, coming from a long line of aristocratic military men. His ancestors were squires of Wust in the Altmark. His father, Hans Heinrich Graf von Katte, was one of Frederick William's most regarded cuirassiers. Katte's mother, Dorothee Sophia von Wartensleben, was the daughter of a seasoned and revered field marshal, Graf Leopold Alexander von Wartensleben. Hans Hermann studied in Königsberg and Utrecht — his foci were French and Law. After completing his studies, he joined the Prussian Army, probably where he met Frederick II.
Katte and Frederick were captured after the botched escape attempt, and Katte was found guilty of desertion by court martial. He was sentenced to lifelong imprisonment, but the king wanted him to be executed, declaring that "it would be better that Katte came to death than the justice out of the world." Katte was beheaded at the fortress of Küstrin. Frederick was forced by his father the king to watch the execution.
Katte's last words were "Lord Jesus Christ..." On witnessing his death, Frederick was plunged into deep despair. When he emerged from it three days later, he almost never spoke of Katte again. Katte's remains rest in the crypt of the church in Wust.
Period accounts of Katte are conflicting. Frederick's sister Wilhelmina described him as surly and anything but handsome, with thick eyebrows. Others described him as very handsome.
Hans Hermann von Katte's letter to his father, written on the eve of his execution, expresses a profound belief in God.