at first frederick william tried to follow a policy of neutrality in the napoleonic wars. but in the end he entered into war in october 1806. on 14 october 1806, at the battle of jena-auerstädt, the french defeated the prussian army, and it collapsed. the royal family fled to east prussia, where emperor alexander i of russia (who, rumour has it, had fallen in love with queen louise) helped them against napoleon.