Chapter III. -- KURFURST FRIEDRICH II.

The First Friedrich's successor was a younger son, Friedrich II.; who lasted till 1471, above thirty years; and proved likewise a notable manager and governor. Very capable to assert himself, and his just rights, in this world. He was but Twenty-seven at his accession; but the Berlin Burghers, attempting to take some liberties with him, found he was old enough. He got the name IRONTEETH. Friedrich FERRATIS DENTIBUS, from his decisive ways then and afterwards. He had his share of brabbling with intricate litigant neighbors; quarrels now and then not to be settled without strokes. His worst war was with Pommern,--just claims disputed there, and much confused bickering, sieging and harassing in consequence: of which quarrel we must speak anon. It was he who first built the conspicuous Schloss or Palace at Berlin, having got the ground for it (same ground still covered by the actual fine Edifice, which is a second edition of Friedrich's) from the repentant Burghers; and took up his chief residence there. [1442-1431 (Nicolari, i. 81).]

But his principal achievement in Brandenburg History is his recovery of the Province called the Neumark to that Electorate. In the thriftless Sigismund times, the Neumark had been pledged, had been sold; Teutsch Ritterdom, to whose dominions it lay contiguous, had purchased it with money down. The Teutsch Ritters were fallen moneyless enough since then; they offered to pledge the Neumark to Friedrich, who accepted, and advanced the sum: after a while the Teutsch Ritters, for a small farther sum, agreed to sell Neumark. [Michaelis, i. 301.] Into which Transaction, with its dates and circumstances, let us cast one glance, for our behoof afterwards. The Teutsch Ritters were an opulent domineering Body in Sigismund's early time; but they are now come well down in Friedrich II.'s! And are coming ever lower. Sinking steadily, or with desperate attempts to rise, which only increase the speed downwards, ever since that fatal Tannenberg Business, 15th July, 1410. Here is the sad progress of their descent to the bottom; divided into three stages or periods:--

What are the answers to this following set of questions:

1. How old was Friedrich II when he took over?
2. How long did he stay?
3. When did his term end?
4. How did he end arguments?
5. What achievement is he known for?
6. Who bought the Neumark?
7. Did they leave a deposit?
8. Who did they pledge it to?
9. Did they keep it?
10. What did they do with it?
11. What is the Neumark
12. Where did the Teutsch Ritters end up?
13. What happened in 1410?
14. What was the date?
15. Whose land was next to Neumark?
16. What did they lose after the left a deposit?
17. What was Friedrich's nickname?
18. Was he good at his job?
19. Who thought he was old enough?
20. What did he construct in Berlin?
1. Twenty-seven
2. above thirty years
3. 1471
4. with strokes
5. recovery of Neumark to that Electorate
6. Teutsch Ritterdom
7. yes
8. Friedrich
9. no
10. sold it
11. a Province
12. the bottom
13. that fatal Tannenberg Business
14. 15th July
15. Teutsch Ritterdom
16. money
17. Ironteeth
18. yes
19. the Berlin Burghers
20. Schloss