ABSTRACT
The relations between Britain and Prussia during the reign of Frederick the Great were generally far from satisfactory. It is true that between 1758 and 1760 the two countries were allies and the King of Prussia enjoyed a brief period of great popularity in England. But at most other times the two governments regarded each other either with grave suspicion or with positive hostility. Between 1746 and 1748, between 1751 and 1756, and again between 1762 and 1765 normal diplomatic relations virtually ceased to exist. There was no exchange of ambassadors and the legations were run by minor officials. For example for two years the only British representative in Berlin was a clerk from Hanover named Laurence (Lorenz) who was expected to live on £100 a year and free meals. Again in the early 1750s the only Prussian agent in London was Abraham Michell from Neuchatel, an able man but not a diplomat of any standing.
