by James Hickman
Schiff Sovereign
On July 9, 1807, after Napoleon’s crushing victory over an entire coalition of European nations, the King of Prussia was forced to sign the Treaty of Tilsit, formally putting an end to the conflict.
The peace treaty was devastating for the Prussians; they were forced to pay heavy tribute and war reparations to France, limit the size of the Prussian army, and hand over roughly 50% of their territory to Napoleon.
Just imagine what it must have been like to be living in Westphalia at the time (one of the regions that was ceded to Napoleon). One day you’re Prussian territory. The next day you’re French (and later an independent kingdom).
Everything changed. And that included the legal system.