Related
1686] DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. 131 Htle way, and being four, wee hired a coach
1686] DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. 141 Being invited to devotion and dinner, by my Lord Chancellour
148 DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. [1686 gave him a warning concerning tlie wedsett of the Muirtacke
1686] DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. 163 and equity which I had on my syde
170 DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. [1690 delighted that he made the Boyars
1699] DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. 193 ' A number of Strelitzes were executed
138 DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. [1686 to a coachman, to bring the trunke
136 DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. [1686 Queens hand; whereat his Majestic smileing
1690] DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. 107 their arrival was announced. Gordon was at once admitted to His Majesty
1686] DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. 127 with severall necessaryes, and having received from Mr. Meverell
Summary
Passages from the diary of General Patrick Gordon of Auchleuchries : A.D. 1635-A.D. 1699"
1686] DIARY OF PATRICK GORDON. 127
with severall necessaryes, and having received from Mr. Meverell seventy
two punds sterling, I payed for a periwigg, seven punds sterling ; for a
hatt, two pund ten shillings ; for silk stockens, twelve shillings ; for shooes,
fyve shillings ; for a pair of sleeves and handkerchiefFe, ten shillings ; to a
barber for trimming, one shilling; for overgilt buckle, one shillmg ; for
dinner, fyve shillings six pence ; for swords, fourteen shiUings ; for three
west belts, six shillmgs ; for one to my self, fyve shillmgs ; for makeing
some kravats, ruflfles, and small lace to the ruiBes, ten shillings ; for coach
hire, eighteen pence.
About eight a clock, Generall Druramond gave me notice that it was April ic.
tyme. I tooke a chaire, and went downe to his lodging, and with him to
Court to my Lord MeHbrts lodging, who, after halfe a houres stay, intro-
ducted me to His Majestic, in the comeing out of his bedchamber, who was
pleased to receive me very graciously. And haveing kissed His Majesties
hand with the usuall ceremonies, and a short compliment, His Majestie
asked many questions concerning the Tzars, the countrey, the state of efFau-es,
themiUtia and government, as also of my jorney and many other particulars.
His Majestie going in to the Queens syde, I had occasion to be welcomed by
the Scots nobiHty who were there ; and afterwards, whilst I attended His
Majestie, walking in the Parke, he was pleased to tell the Prince Georg*
of me to whom also I was addiessed. I dined in a Dutche house in the
Pell Mell. Expended this day, drink money to the taylors joraeymen, two
shillings six pence ; chaire hire, one shillmg ; coach hire, three shillings ; to
servants, eight pence.
I tooke a chaire in the morning, and went with Lievetennant Generall April 17.
Drummond to Court, and waited upon the King, in the Park, at his walke,
as also in the evening, haveing this day payed my respects to some
noblemen, at their lodgings. Expended this day, for chaire hire, eighteen
pence ; for dinner, with wine, four shillings ; to my servants, twelve pence ;
coach hire, eighteen pence.
Being Sunday, I went to St. Jameses, and heard devotion, and dmed, April is,
with other gentlemen, at Mrs. Crosses, and payed for dinner and wine, fyve
shillings, for myself and son 5 to servants this day, eighteen pence, and at
night a shiUing.
It being very mconvenient and expensive to stay in the lodging where Apni ly.
* [Prince George of Denmark, husband of the Princess Anne.j
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.