The Battle of Soor, 1745 ⚔️ | Frederick the Great's Second Silesian War (1744-1745)

On a foggy and misty early morning in September 1745, Charles of Lorraine and his Habsburg army ambushed Frederick the Great's Prussian army camping nearby the village of Burkersdorf. It became an incredibly bloody and gruesome battle. The French envoy remarked that at 'Hohenfriedberg he fought for Silesia, at Soor, he fought for his life.'
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Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:51 After Hohenfriedberg
4:26 The Battle of Soor
12:15 After Soor
Watch my documentary series:
►History of Prussia playlist: • History of Prussia
►End of Empire - Downfall of the Qing Dynasty playlist: • End of Empire - China'...
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The content of this video covers events, people or concepts via a lecture-style presentation that is educational and historical in nature. Every video is original content by House of History. The events relating to conflict in this video are portrayed in their historical context without either value judgment or an ideological message attached to it. There is no intent to shock, upset or disgust. The goal of my channel is to make interesting lecture-style videos, no more, no less.
Thank you for taking the time to check out House of History, I hope you will find the films informative, interesting and enjoyable!
If you have any feedback, questions or criticism feel free to leave a comment. Your opinion truly aids me in improving the content of the channel! If you have a question, feel free to leave a comment and I will either write a reply, answer your question in a Q&A video, or make an entire video about it!
Sources:
Asprey, Robert B. Frederick the Great: The magnificent enigma. Ticknor & Fields, 1986.
Blanning, Tim. Frederick the Great: King of Prussia. Penguin UK, 2015.
Clark, Christopher M. Iron kingdom: the rise and downfall of Prussia, 1600-1947. Harvard University Press, 2006.
Duffy, Christopher. Frederick the Great: a military life. Routledge, 2015.
Fraser, David. Frederick the Great: King of Prussia. Penguin Uk, 2000.
Written by House of History
Music courtesy of www.epidemicsound.com
Photos, paintings and imagery: Public Domain, Wikicommons
Cinematic footage is from Total War: Empire recorded by House of History.
#HouseofHistory #History

[@ohauss]

Poor Charles, learning he can't even win against Frederick when he has practically everything going in his favor...

[@bradforddean1]

Charles was too cautious and lost his initiative of surprise by moving his units into better positions. he could have swept into the camp

[@Friedrich2DerGrosse]

I just learned that you edit, write and narrate these videos by yourself! I was dying to see a series covering Frederick like this, seeing the battles, maneouver and some of the diplomatic situation is awesome. You're really talented/dedicated and these videos for a humble history nerd like me are a blessing. Love the little dialogues in german they add some appreciated flavour, i also like the imagenery and coin-droppin sound that you used while those pesky hussars were plundering the camp they help to imagine the hilarious situation of some guys going "screw this, let's get more gold" while their allies are getting beaten, they even took the dog! Lmao.

[@HoH]

Thanks for the nice comment! I am happy to hear you enjoy my work, "Frederick" 😉

[@frederickwilliam6497]

@@HoH I am in complete agreement with this whipper snapper

[@thebabylonian109]

@@frederickwilliam6497 🤣😅😅😅

[@thebabylonian109]

They probably could have ransomed that dog back to Friedrich for another fortune too. 😂😂

[@Friedrich2DerGrosse]

@@Broseph_Weed What are you doing here my soldier? Go back to formation we need you to protect those precious potatos! Gott Mit Uns

[@frederickiiprussia7699]

The battle of Soor is astounding; the Austrians had the advantage of numbers, terrain, and suprise and yet all was fully against the iron discipline and training of Prussian infantry and cavalry Amazing video! I'll be looking forward to the next

[@kalterverwalter4516]

Frederick the II ist That you? You still owe me Money!

[@frederickiiprussia7699]

@@kalterverwalter4516 not one Taler :)

[@kalterverwalter4516]

@@frederickiiprussia7699 No 3 Groschen, 6 Ducats and 5 Pfennig! 😂

[@frederickiiprussia7699]

@@kalterverwalter4516 nein XD

[@ryanjuguilon213]

@@frederickiiprussia7699 Pay him pomade

[@jrgentetlientryggestad739]

No, please continue the life of Frederick the Great! You are an great narrator and the topic is very interesting. Keep up the good work!

[@HoH]

Thank you! Will do!

[@schlawa]

Thanks a lot for covering this in depth, I think the 7 years War and its time is very fascinating but often a little overlooked.

[@FieldMarshalYT]

This is during the War of the Austrian Succession. But I agree since they are so close to each other.

[@hocestbellumchannel]

The fact that you are able to come up with one or two scripts per week is baffling. Very well done

[@HoH]

I love the style of your maps on HM! It is a bit of a grind, but the animating generally takes much longer than the writing. In fact, writing and research is a bit of a cathartic process for me.

[@BudMasta]

Ave

[@aarondemiri486]

Frederick is an awesome guy genuine joy each episode I'm actively looking forward to each release of this series

[@skyhappy]

Frederick was a warmonger

[@elmascapo6588]

@@skyhappy there's nothing wrong about war

[@skyhappy]

@@elmascapo6588 you should fight in one

[@elmascapo6588]

@@skyhappy i'm planning on that So i can get thevshortest way to God

[@skyhappy]

@@elmascapo6588 inshallah

[@minamotonokuroyoshitsune3237]

Love your channel I’ve been a loyal subscriber for the past two years! I’m especially loving these strategy videos!

[@Tiger1AuasfE]

Thnx for these uploads, really enjoying them.

[@gotbaka3]

Your channel has quickly become my favorite for historical battles. Excellent stuff

[@AndreevGM]

I love every minute spent watching your videos. Very well done and narrated

[@brokenbridge6316]

Fredrick the Great is surely deserving of his title. He sure knew how to win a battle. Even if it came upon him in surprise like this one did. Shame he wasn't the greatest of husbands. Excellent video.

[@Friedrich2DerGrosse]

Some sources say he was homosexual, others says he was impotent and was ashame by it. That sorts of explain his treatment of his wife. At least he didn't George VIII'd anyone.

[@brokenbridge6316]

@@Friedrich2DerGrosse---I heard that he might be only into guys. Impotent, it's possible.

[@thebabylonian109]

Frederick did not like most humans in general, he trusted his Italian greyhounds far more. His wife did not read any Classical literature and was very Christian, both of which Frederick found totally baffling. Maria certainly beat Frederick on the offspring front, that is for damn sure.

[@thebabylonian109]

@@Friedrich2DerGrosse Interesting topic that unfortunately is virtually impossible to prove. I personally think he was probably bi- (but mostly homo-) sexual in his younger years based on the evidence that has been presented (mainly his correspondence letters, which were VERY friendly toward other men even by the standards of the time. His indifference toward his wife, the sexual interests of women in general, and his MASSIVE collection of Greco-Roman statues that just happened to include hundreds of perfectly sculpted nude ones is also noteworthy). Without photos or paintings of him actively having relations with other men though it cannot really be proven. For the final 23 years he does not seem to have had nearly as much interest in any sort of sexuality, preferring isolation and contemplation in Sansoucci with his Italian greyhounds. Still was surrounded by the statues and close associates there (most famously Voltaire), so yeah just super difficult to prove conclusively. This research often tells us more about our current views on sexuality than his, which gives an indication of how clever he could be.

[@Friedrich2DerGrosse]

@@thebabylonian109 Excellent information! Yeah i also believe he was probably Bi- with a preference for men. But what he probably truly liked was annexing austrian/poland territories lol.

[@dawnsparrow4477]

A wonderful uploading video thanks for sharing enjoyed introducing

[@nateconley6432]

Awesome video as always keep it up man

[@davidbean9740]

Awesome work. Please keep it up

[@KHK001]

Well that was fast! thanks HoH

[@zachyrish2682]

another majestic and epic delivery

[@RodolfoGaming]

Superb video Frederick deserves a series as detailed as this, thank you and congrats for putting it together!

[@HoH]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@hhhhhh9792]

This series is a dream come true, thanks a lot

[@HoH]

Glad you enjoy it!

[@toddbonin6926]

Wonderful video!!!

[@anglowarrior7970]

Amazing videos, these series is going awesome

[@HoH]

Glad you think so!

[@AdityaSingh-iz5zs]

Here, your work is even greater then hohenfriedburg video. excellent mapping of battlefield, excellent narration, excellent background sound effects and above all excellent presentation and editing makes your video great.

[@HoH]

Thank you for the kind words! I am working on a massive project which hopefully boosts the quality of my videos even more - creating a detailed map of Europe from the 18th century. That way I can more clearly and accurately depict strategic movements

[@AdityaSingh-iz5zs]

@@HoH your words makes me more excited for the series. I am sure that you will be successful in your project.

[@kcharles8857]

Amazing channel

[@kalterverwalter4516]

I Love your content Dude. Keep Up the Grind and you Eclipse the Other Channels. Could you make something about the Battle of Worringen? I know That this Battle is Not as popular and Well known Like Others. But still without this Battle the Luxemburger migth be still Around.

[@HoH]

I've been reading and writing about Worringen as a fun side project! I'll try to finish the video soon.

[@kalterverwalter4516]

@@HoH Great would be really nice If it works Out So Thank you in advance !

[@1987MartinT]

I feel like Charles of Lorraine should be replaced at this point. He could be given a different command, because he's really not a bad general. But after 3 defeats in a row to Frederick the Great I think it's pretty clear that Charles can't beat him.

[@diljotnanrhe5808]

I hope you make this a series till Fredrick's death, that would be great.

[@HoH]

That's the plan!

[@julio5prado]

Excellent

[@spencerhicks3927]

The 7 years war and Austrian Succession conflict often blend and merge as relatively obscure events tend to do... even then these two global wars tend to focus mostly on Silesia. Any chance on broadening, even in a small summary, the North American and Indian theatres? I know the French and Indian War somewhat but know absolutely nothing of what happened in North America from 1740-48. Just food for thought... love the channel btw!!

[@xjuliussx]

Good new graphics. the 3D makes all the pleasure to watch. Just small observations - the houses on battlefield are too shiny and could be confused with troops, i think a brownish more palid colors would make them look like houses roofs. Also for the Tents Army of Frederick, i think they are too white, they should be a more pale dirt white to show like army tents from above. Everything else was excelent! thank you for video.

[@HoH]

These are all great suggestions. Sometimes I become 'blind' to certain things because I stare at them for hours. Thank you, I'll incorporate it in the future!

[@hellguard123]

My man I love your videos. Please look up translations for landmarks. Absolutely butchered Sanssouci palace xD

[@davidfiorini2565]

Non conoscevo questa battaglia. Uno scontro notevole

[@gerardjagroo]

I think there is considerable similarity between Frederick the Great and George Washington. Also that letter to his wife wow!

[@FoxATX]

As an Austrian I've to say that Charles of Lorraine was definitely not the right commander against Frederick and the replacement with Daun was too late. What sources did you've used for that episode? Thank you for this great format and all that work you're investing to deliver such a great content!

[@tommyblackwell3760]

Absolutely agree, Friedrich himself admitted that Daun was a much more formidable adversary.

[@Veethran88]

I love fredrick because he treats war like actual war and not some showy affair. The man actually wanted to build an empire

[@apersonontheinternet595]

Maybe some videos on the war of Spanish succession or the early wars against the Ottomans like the crusade of Varna?

[@YasserMaghribi]

Very nice strategy

[@tjpassig208]

I would love for the Hanoverian war. In which Ferdinand of Braunschweig conducted against the French to cover Fredrick’s western flank. In the later half of the war.

[@krishnanpanamalaimurali8993]

Please cover the French battles in this war. Especially Dettingen and Fontenoy

[@minamotonokuroyoshitsune3237]

Do you think you can make strategy videos like this on China, Mongolia, Korea, and Japan? I would love to see that! Especially one on either China or Japan’s warring states periods and Mongol and Manchu invasions of China

[@HoH]

I would love to do that, and I am definitely planning to do that in the future. Unfortunately these videos take incredibly long to make, so I don't have enough time to jump into everything I find interesting. If there are some proper detailed sources about China's warring states period, I will begin covering that this year for sure. It has been on my to-do list for too long.

[@ryanjuguilon213]

A documentary of Qin's rise specially of legalism and conflict with confucianism would be awesome

[@NationalReikistImperium]

Hey I have a history question for you my good sir, do you know if the Prussians were using needle rifles at this point in time or were they still using muskets?

[@ryanjuguilon213]

Needle rifles are a century away my friend. Musket is the firearm of the time

[@FieldMarshalYT]

Will we see other battles from this war that didnt' involve much of Prussia?

[@lichkong141]

I would like to see the Justianian wars.

[@AdityaSingh-iz5zs]

Sir, at the soor don't you think that frederick had missed the chance of overwhelming victory, even greater then hohenfriedberg, and he let himself be surprised ? This battle could have been Frederick's Austerlitz as natural features of battlefield were providing him that chance.

[@elmascapo6588]

The dense forrest south of the battle prevented frederick to mount a persuit

[@nadershah5196]

11:15 What da dawg doin?💀

[@fangexploring]

Feels like Federick was really poor before and during the battle. His plan didn't seem very sound but Prussians' far superior discipline and training was able to overcome everything. And what's with the Austrian Cavalry at both left and right not supporting their infantry? Was it a leadership problem or division within the ranks? I am very interested too to know what were the repercussions from losing 1m ducats. Was it normal or wise to carry so much money with the main army? The battle maps and animations are really nice, although I didn't understand the speech bubbles not in English.

[@HoH]

From what I gathered there wasn't a specific reason for the cavalry not engaging, besides poor communication between army units. As for losing 1 million ducats (and his own dog!) Frederick considered it a heavy, but acceptable price to pay for the victory. He was soon reimbursed anyway, because the war was drawing to its end. As for the speech bubbles - did you think German speech bubbles were a nice touch? Considering both sides spoke German. Or was it more of a distraction?

[@fangexploring]

@@HoH Thanks for answering my questions! I don't know any German so they went over my head but probably nice for majority of your viewers.

[@therisingsun4357]

@@HoH As a German, I at least think they add nice flavour. I also like them appearing in native tongue of other participating armies.

[@DarrenBaratta]

What happened when they returned to their camp?

[@hellshing4866]

I don't know how high Charles is ranked amongst the worst commander in history. It's honestly unbelievable how many mistakes he continuously makes or allows. I guess it pays to be the brother-in-law of the Empress.

[@bayuzebua2805]

Salam dari saya tio winata zebua dari lubuk tukko??? Sumut sibolga tapteng??? Zebua (darah niass)

[@paranoidandroid6095]

10:10 12:24

[@jonibaroque4925]

What became of Frederick's Dog ?

[@nevermindthegermans6242]

It's great to see so many interested in the silesian wars. I am myself descended of prussian junker and officer families. One of the birthday gifts I received from my parents as a teenager was the autobiographical account of Friedrich von der Trenck. It is a very, well, self-serving adventure tale wherein Trenck details his prison escapes, claims to have been the lover of one of Frederick the greats sisters and obviously was the most elite of elite soldiers. He was the cousin of Franz von der Trenck, called "Pandur", who led the raid of the camp at Soor. Nonetheless, Friedrich said of himself that he had always been a loyal prussian, despite his prominent austrian relative.

[@davidhughes8357]

When you head into battle always remember to take all your money your best silverware and expensive table cloths .

[@tommyblackwell3760]

And don't forget the dog!

[@redshirt1917]

Dutch narrator? German, perhaps? Good job. Well done.

[@nomooon]

11:15 They took his dog! Frederick should've gone John Wick on these bastards...

[@tommyblackwell3760]

Right?

[@johncherskov5755]

I like that metaphorically Frederick seems like an elitist standing up to a mob of enraged children and he just ends up winning anyway. It's glorious anyway what training can do.

[@SJ23982398]

These so called "great" leaders mostly seem to owe their success to their dad. Why would Frederick set up his army in such a disadvantaged position?

[@BillHimmel]

Did the Austrians get to keep the prussian treasures? Or did the Prussians manage to recapture them?

[@beepboop204]

👍

[@markcoroneos7811]

11:17 john wick has entered the chat

[@craigkdillon]

Wait a minute. What happened to all that money the Hussars got in Frederick's camp?? That's what I want to know.

[@HoH]

Frederick was well-reinbursed following the Battle of Kesselsdorf and subsequent peace.

[@ohauss]

The "c" in Sanssouci is pronounced more like an "s", not like a "k"

[@HoH]

I was wondering about that post-edit and it makes total sense. My mistake, sometimes these errors slip in because I am the only one writing, presenting and editing these videos.

[@JamesBu11]

@@HoH I think you are confusing aversion with adversity (13:16), besides that your English is excellent.

[@ohauss]

@@HoH Great work! The issue is, of course, difficult, given that dealing with the area at the time means having to juggle a host of different languages. The Prussians evidently spoke German, but French was important as a court language, hence why the palace's name is in French: "sans souci" is French for "without worry".

[@MajorCoolD]

@@HoH Actually it comes from the french words 'sans soucci' meaning 'without sorrow'. 'Ohne Sorgen'. As he intended to have a peacefull and fruitfull reign after the 7 years war which, while increasing the size of his realm nearly brought him to ruin. It was meant to be basicly like a budget version of Versailles as the City Palace of Potsdam by his own words 'c'et ne pas un chateau' 'this is not a palace'. As it was basicly a fairly squarely built if large and impressive structure... but it lacked any special and naturally beautifull traits and lacked an aesthethic. Meanwhile Sanscoucci is a direct reflection of Frederick's approach to statemanship and what he considered to be the duty of an enlightened absolute monatch. The first servant of the state, the head of an overall body that is the nation. A symbiotic relationship betwen a ruler and his subjects, which was the source of many of his reforms during his reign that helped to increase the wealth, standard of living and education within Prussia and preceeded many points and legal codes which would only be brought along later on with the Code de Napoleon in many other german states. This is remarkable if one considered that Louis the XIV., the 'Roy du Soleil' the Sunking, originally said 'l'etat, c'est moi'. Considering himself to BE the state and therefore ALL his personal whims, desires and wishes were a matter of the state and of great overbearing importance. He also considered himself a clock-maker with the state, the nation being a clock, where he could pick, choose and replace every part of it as he wishes and sees fit without any consequence to himself... a view which would be shared by his sucessors and many other absolutist monarchs. In comparison to that one could consider Frederick a Gardener, spotting, picking, cultivating and caring for the natural fruit of the soil that his part of the world produced... although I cant deny that he sometimes used generous amounts of fertilizer. ^^"

[@thebabylonian109]

@@ohauss German was the common man's language, Frederick was a far greater admirer of Louis XIV's court in France so anybody whom was anyone at Potsdam spoke French.

[@carleckel2877]

pretty sure you mean "shrinking" not "slinking"

[@nowayman1406]

Frederic's greatest luck is to come across an incompetent commander like Charles. After these losses charles was replaced by commanders like von laudon and von daun, frederick began to less succesfull. (kunersdorf,hochkirch)

[@HoH]

Even after the Battle of Lobositz (released in a few weeks!) Frederick remarked fighting Browne who had "grown grey in the service" was a world of difference from Charles.

[@vezer4]

what happned to that gold that hungarians looted? did thay manage to get away?:

[@HoH]

They did. But most of it (and more) was returned two months later after the parties concluded a peace. They even returned Frederick's dog!

[@sergueiothonucci1638]

😃

[@CosmicFreedoms]

Hey bud I like your vids and your accent but you keep saying capitalize wrong. Your enunciating like "capitulate" but its cah-puh-till-Ize Keep up the great work, and I love your maps!

[@HoH]

Thanks for the feedback. I will work on it!

[@napoleonibonaparte7198]

Austria clearly peaked at the early 1700s with Prinz Eugen.

[@HoH]

I already struggle with the lack of time, researching all these fascinating battles and events. But the Great Turkish War and Eugene of Savoy's battles in general are something I'd love to delve into in the future.

[@TheiRenaissance]

we immigrated here from Prussia

[@murutu1307]

STOP with the echo.

[@HoH]

What echo? When narrating letters? I thought it gives a nice touch 'from the past'.

[@quangle-zi2oz]

Uh ! Excuse me! But who dared to criticize the King for his behavior towards his wife??? Like they didn't fear their heads would be chopped off ? 😂😂😂. Seriously! Who???

[@infinite.cables07]

Sansooky… 😂

[@infinite.cables07]

On a serious note, I love your videos.

[@ACk-vu6ik]

Fun fact: Soor is also the name for a Fungal infections in Germany.

[@Thecrownswill]

Your not supposed to show yourself! For some reason.

[@wanderer34eu]

What happened with all that loot the magyars took?😄

[@lukasj1980]

For anyone wondering why he was so rude to his wife… he was gay, his father killed his boyfriend and forced him to watch 😅 he was quite done with these kind of things

[@rumelia545]

Austrian cavalry is incredibly stupid. Why not attack the flank of the Prussian infantry???

[@davidadams4770]

Hire a narrator already man

[@HoH]

Why?

[@davidadams4770]

@@HoH because u have to chose either to pronote yourself, or to create a great content (e.g. History Marche ir Kings and Generals)

[@HoH]

pronote?

[@davidadams4770]

@@HoH promote

[@HoH]

I think I replied to you a few weeks ago when you made the same comment. Do you realise I am not a big company and I am just one guy creating these videos? I don't have the money to hire a narrator, and if you don't like a non-native accent you are more than welcome to listen to other channels.