YOUR writer Louise Gray asks about the origin of our national anthem (February 15).

The words 'God Save the King' have their origins in a popular song from the 1745 Jacobite rebellion. I believe the song may have first appeared at one of the major London theatres.

The tune to which the words are set is rather more interesting, being the Old Prussian March. In days gone by most armies had a distinctive tune which was used to assist tactical cohesion on the battlefield.

Frederick the Great was fond of night attacks and complex battle plans which involved simultaneous attacks by several columns, hence the need to keep the components of the army together.

The British Army spent a lot of time in Germany during the mid-18th century, the King of England was also the ruler of Hanover at this time. The redcoats served with distinction at Minden, Warburg and elsewhere, and the army's commander - John Manners, Marquis of Granby - still appears on numerous inn signs.

The British army served as part of a larger allied force commanded by a Prussian general - Ferdinand of Brunswick, brother-in-law of the Great Frederick. So British troops would have been familiar with the Old Prussian March.

In later years the Old Prussian March became the music for the Imperial German national anthem - "Hail to thee in Victors' laurels", in use until the end of the monarchy in 1918. The song 'Deuchland uber Alles', although composed in the 19th century, did not become the German national anthem until the 1920s.

The canton of Neufchatel in Switzerland was once Prussian territory, and for many years the Swiss national anthem used the same music as God Save the King/ the Old Prussian March.

Mr M Waters,

Strensall Road,

Huntington, York.

Updated: 10:51 Tuesday, February 19, 2002