What may appear as mere small talk around Archduke Leopold’s birthday dinner table in fact reflects the precarious situation on the theatre of war in early May 1757. A Prussian army of about 100,000 men, led by King Friedrich himself and three of his generals, advanced towards Prague. Thanks to Field Marshal Browne, the Austrian positions around the city were strong and advantageous. The seasoned commander was eager to seize the initiative and strike the Prussians before they could launch an offensive.
Unfortunately, he was forced to submit to the higher authority of Prince Charles, the Empress’s brother-in-law and protégé, who preferred instead to fall back towards the city and await reinforcements. This was precisely what King Frederick desired: the delay cost the Austrians their strategic initiative and allowed the Prussians to impose a defensive battle upon them — an ominous prospect lurking behind the seemingly festive chatter at the imperial table.
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