THE OFFICER’S SKAZKA OF THE RUSSIAN SCOT

Abstract

In this paper, an attempt is made to publicize an important historical source from the Russian State Military Historical Archive. This document is an officer’s “skazka” of the Scottish brigadier of the Russian army James Gordon.  In the Russian army, the officer’s “skazka” was the main document containing information about the staff of the commanders before using the questionnaire. This document is of special importance because it reports about a remarkable person. James Gordon was the son of Tsar Peter I’s friend – General Patrick Gordon. James was an experienced officer and took part in many battles. After a short military service in Russia, he boosted his military career in England, where he served in the Guard of the king James II Stuart. After the “Glorious Revolution” of 1688–1689, when James II was overthrown, James Gordon took part in the Jacobite movement. During the First Jacobite rebellion, J. Gordon participated in many battles on land and sea, including the famous battle of Killiecrankie, where he was badly wounded. After his return to Russia, he participated in the Azov Campaigns and in the Great Northern War. The Swedes took James captive twice. Besides that, J. Gordon was the first person born in Russia to become a Count of the Holy Roman Empire and a knight of the Order of Malta.  The aim of this publication is to attract attention to this person and to the problem of the Scots’ service in the Russian army.