1779. A revolution in Law

[timelets]

Today I learned that Frederik the Great of Prussia was a true revolutionary. Here's an excerpt from the Protocol of December 11, 1779, which served as the king's direct order to the entire Prussian legal system:

All men being equal before the Law, if it is a prince complaining against a peasant, or vice versa, the prince is the same as the peasant before the Law; and, on such occasions, pure justice must have its course, without regard of person. Let the Law courts, in all the provinces, take this for their rule.

For a court of Law doing injustice is more dangerous and pernicious than a band of thieves. Against these one can protect oneself. But against rogues who made use of the cloak of justice to accomplish their evil passions, again such no man can guard himself. - quoted from Thomas Carlyle's Works: History of Friedrich II of Prussia. 1887.

upd. since there was no separation b/w the executive, legislative, and judiciary branches, the king's order was essentially reversed after his death. compare it to the Bill of Rights and the Constitution of the United States.