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8 DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. [1653 Latlne in the Colledge, only had enquired and written downe some words

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Passages from the diary of General Patrick Gordon of Auchleuchries : A.D. 1635-A.D. 1699"

8 DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. [1653

Latlne in the Colledge, only had enquired and written downe some words

necessary for askeing the way, victualls, and such like. My portmantell 1

carved for ease on my back, betwixt villages, or when I did see no body ;

but comeing to any village or meeting any body, I took it under my arme.

Thus accoutred I went privately round the old towne, P. Menezes only

convoying me to the high way. I walked the well knowne way through

the wood to Frawensberg, pleasing my self either with trifling fancies or

such objects as offered in the way.

Being come to Frawensberg, I resolved not to go to Father Blackball for

fear of being chidden for leaving the Colledge, he haveing alwayes diswaded

me from takeing any other course as to be a scholler and turne religious.

And so excuseing my self to him hereafter by a letter, pretending my being

in company who would by no means make any stopp there, I went through

the towne without going in any where ; and keeping the high roadc, about

half a mile off", I did meet a coach with some gentlemen in it, who, stopping,

look't very ernestly upon me, and asked me in Dutch something, which I

not understanding passed by on my way. A mile and a halfe further, at

the entring of a wood the way divideing, I was doubtful! which to hold, yet

the midle being the liklyest I entred that. After I had gone a pretty way

into the wood, and doubting whether I was right or not, I began with

serious thoughts to consider my present condition, calling to mind from

whence I was come, from my most loveing parents and friends, and where I

was now, among strangers, whose language I understood not, travelling my

self knew not well whither, haveing but seven doliers by me which could

not last long, and when that was gone, I knew not ^^ here to gett a farthing

more for the great jorney and voyage wliich I intended. To serve or work

I thought it a disparagement, and to begg a greater. With those and

such like thoughts I grew so pensive and sadd, that, sitting downe, I began

to lament and bewalle my miserable condition. Then, haveing my recourse

to God Almighty, I, \Nith many teares, implored h:s assistance, cravving

also the intercession of the Blessed Virgin and all the Saincts in heaven.

Then getting up, I went forward, continuing in prayer with great fervency,

when on a suddaine, from the right hand, came an old man rideing, whose

gray haires might exact and force reverence from the haughtiest heart.

He, seing me crying, in crossing my way said to me in Dutch, which I

understood so : Cry not my child ; God will comfort you. I was very

astonished at his suddaine appearance and words, and also ashamed that any

Gordon was brought up and remained a lifelong Roman Catholic, at a time when the Church was being persecuted in Scotland. At age of fifteen, he entered the Jesuit college at Braunsberg, East Prussia, then part of Poland. In 1661, after many years experiences as a soldier of fortune, he joined the Russian army under Tsar Aleksei I, and in 1665 was sent on a special mission to England. After his return, he distinguished himself in several wars against the Turks and Tatars in southern Russia. In recognition of his service he was promoted to major-general in 1678, was appointed to the high command at Kiev in 1679, and in 1683 was made lieutenant-general. In 1687 and 1689 he took part in expeditions against the Tatars in the Crimea, being made a full general. Later in 1689, a revolution broke out in Moscow, and with the troops under his command, Gordon virtually decided events in favor of Peter the Great against the Regent, Tsarevna Sophia Alekseyevna. Consequently, he was for the remainder of his life in high favor with the Tsar, who confided to him the command of his capital during his absence from Russia. In 1696, Gordon's design of a "moveable rampart" played a key role in helping the Russians take Azov. One of Gordon's convinced the Tsars to establish the first Roman Catholic church and school in Muscovy, of which he remained the main benefactor and headed the Catholic community in Russia until his death. For his services his second son James, brigadier of the Russian army, was created Count of the Holy Roman Empire in 1701. At the end of his life the Tsar, who had visited Gordon frequently during his illness, was with him when he died, and with his own hands closed his eyes. General Gordon left behind him a uniquely detailed diary of his life and times, written in English. This is preserved in manuscript in the Russian State Military Archive in Moscow. Passages from the Diary of General Patrick Gordon of Auchleuchries (1635–1699) was printed, under the editorship of Joseph Robertson, for the Spalding Club, at Aberdeen, Scotland, 1859.

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russian empire peter the great strelets патрик гордон general patrick gordon генерал восстание стрельцов российская империя россия strelets uprising peter i patrick gordon russia diary of general patrick gordon emperor of russia high resolution ultra high resolution
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1635 - 1699
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Godfather of Peter the Great

Passages from the diary of General Patrick Gordon of Auchleuchries : A.D. 1635-A.D. 1699
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Romanov Empire - Империя Романовых
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russian empire peter the great strelets патрик гордон general patrick gordon генерал восстание стрельцов российская империя россия strelets uprising peter i patrick gordon russia diary of general patrick gordon emperor of russia high resolution ultra high resolution