Aleksandr Danilovich Menshikov
(November 6, 1673, Moscow - November 12 (OS), 1729, birch)
- Field-Marshal
Aleksandr Danilovich Menshikov (November 6, 1673, Moscow - November 12 (OS), 1729, birch) - Russian statesman and military leader, and a favorite companion of Peter the Great, after his death in 1725-1727 - the de facto ruler of Russia. Had the title of Grand Duke of the Russian Empire, the Holy Roman Empire and Duke of Izhorskiy (the only Russian nobleman who received the title of duke), the first member of the Supreme Privy Council of the Russian Empire, the Military Collegium of the President, the first governor-general of St. Petersburg (1703-1727), the first Russian Senator full admiral (1726). Field Marshal (1709), with Peter the Second - Generalissimo sea and land forces (12 May 1727).
Youth. A favorite of the king
As a child, being the son of a poor Lithuanian nobleman who served at the royal stables in Moscow, Alexander Menshikov by chance was taken servants FY Lefort. In 1686 twelve Alexander Menshikov, the father surrendered to the Moscow Pirozhnikov sold in the capital cakes. The boy was different witty antics and buffoonery that has long been the custom of Russian peddlers, this he lured to his buyers. He happened to pass by the palace of the famous and powerful while Lefort; seeing the funny boy, Lefort called him to his room and asked, "What take my entire box of cake?" - "if you please buy cakes, and boxes without the permission of the owner to sell, I dare not," - replied Aleksashka - was the name of a street boy . "Do you want me to serve?" - Asked him Lefort. "Very pleased - posted Aleksashka - only one must move away from the host." Lefort bought him all the cakes and said: "When depart from pieman, immediately come to me." Reluctantly let go of the pastry Aleksashka and did so only because it is an important gentleman took it into his servants. Menshikov went to Lefort and put his livery. According to the proximity of the last king Alexander in 14 years passed by Peter in Batman, was able to quickly acquire not only trust, but also the friendship of the king, to become his confidant in all undertakings and hobbies. He was assisted in the creation of "amusing" troops in the village of Transfiguration (from 1693 was listed scorer Preobrazhensky regiment, where Peter is the captain). Bezotluchno was with the king, accompanying him on trips to Russia, Azov campaigns in 1695-1696, in the "Grand Embassy" 1697-1698 in Western Europe. With the death of Lefort Menshikov became the first assistant to Peter, leaving him a favorite of many years. Endowed by nature a sharp mind, an excellent memory and great energy, Aleksandr Danilovich never alluded to the inability to fulfill the order and did everything with zeal, remembered all the orders, he knew how to keep secrets like no one else could mitigate the temper of the king.
M. van Myusskher. Portrait of Alexander Menshikov, written in Holland during the Great Embassy (1698).
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Birch trees in a swamp paintingsWarlord at Peter I
The initial phase of the Northern War
During the Northern War of 1700-1721. Menshikov commanded a large force of infantry and cavalry, distinguished himself at the siege and storming of the Bastille, in many battles. In 1702, during the siege Noteburg timely podospel with fresh forces to Golitsyn, the assault began, and the fortress was taken. In the spring of next year, working with Peter at the mouth of the Neva River, won the first naval victory over the Swedes, bold stroke captivity two boarding enemy ships. Extremely happy with this success, the king ordered to clear the medal with the laconic inscription: "unprecedented happens." Menshikov received an award the Order of St. Andrew (simultaneously with the Knight of the Order was Peter himself).
Aleksandrov was the first governor-general of St. Petersburg (from 1703 until his disgrace in 1727), supervised the construction of the city, as well as Kronstadt naval shipyards in the rivers Neva and Svir, Petrovsky and Povenets gun factories. Providing assistance to Field Marshal Sheremetev, facilitated the conquest of Dorpat, Narva and Ivangorod, awarded the rank of lieutenant-general (1704), then led military operations in Lithuania and Poland. In 1705 granted the Polish Order of the White Eagle.
From Kalisz to Poltava
Showing himself a fine cavalry commanders, Menshikov won a brilliant victory over the Swedish-Polish corps under Kalish October 18, 1706, which became the first victory of Russian troops in the "right fight." The enemy could not resist the attack of Russian dragoons conducted swiftly and defeated. At the decisive moment in the battle rushed Menshikov himself, dragging subordinates. The Swedes lost several thousand people, Commander A. Mardefeld was captured. Losses of Russian troops were minor: 84 dead and 324 wounded. As a reward for this victory, Alexander Danilovich received from the king's rod, decorated with precious stones, and was promoted to colonel of the Life Guards regiment. In 1707, again at the head of the cavalry, he moved to Lublin and then to Warsaw, where he remained until September.
A.E.Kotsebu.Shturm fortress Noteburg October 11, 1702.
Awards received by Menshikov, were not only military. Even in 1702, at the request of Peter, he granted the title of Count of the Roman Empire, in 1705, became the prince of the Roman Empire, and in May 1707 the king raised him to the dignity of His Serene Highness Prince Izhorskiy. Gradually increased and the material welfare of Grand Duke, the number granted him estates and villages.
When the Swedish army of Charles XII moved in Belarus and Ukraine, Alexander Danilovich was one of the most active supporters of Peter in the fight against a formidable opponent. September 28, 1708, he participated in the famous battle of the Forest, which became, in the words of Peter, "the mother of the Poltava victory." During the time between the forest and Poltava Menshikov often showed the vision and swiftness, which lacked Field Marshal Sheremetev, shared with him the supreme command of the army. Upon receiving the news about the change of Mazepa, he took by storm the capital Hetman - city Baturin, arranging it reportedly contemporaries massacre. [Citation needed 256 days] In May 1709 boldly attacked the Swedes under Oposhnya and broke them.
Equestrian Portrait of Menshikov
Peter I in many military matters fully trust our intuition and prudent mind your pet, almost all regulations, directives and instructions that the king sent out troops passed through the hands of Menshikov. He was Peter as chief of staff to: Post thought the king often instructed her to develop her closest aides, and he found a way to translate it into action. His swift and decisive action is quite consistent with vigorous energy of Peter.
Menshikov played a major role in the Battle of Poltava (June 27 (July 8), 1709)
where he commanded the vanguard of the first and then the left flank of the Russian army. Even before entering the main forces in the battle, he defeated a detachment of General Schlippenbach captivity last. At the time of the collision armies attacked the corps of General Ross dispel it, which largely determined the victory of the Russian army. During the Battle of Menshikov killed three horses.
Chasing with Golitsyn fled from the battle the Swedish army, Menshikov overtook her at the crossing of the Dnieper, in Perevolochna, and forced to capitulate. Aleksandrov reported from under Perevolochna: "Running away from us the enemy here, and we just caught the king with a traitor Mazepa in small caring people saved and dostalnyh all Swedes live on in full accord to hell, which will number about ten thousand, among which General Lewenhaupt and Major General Kreutz. Guns, ammunition also took the whole. "In fact, in captivity proved more than 16 thousand Swedes.
For Poltava Menshikov was awarded the rank of Field Marshal. Also in his possession were transferred to the city and Pochel Yampil, increase the number of his serfs to 43,000 males. According to the number of serfs, he became the second after the king dushevladeltsem in Russia. At the solemn entrance of Petra in Moscow December 21, 1709 Aleksandrov at the right hand of the king than emphasize its exceptional services.
The final stage of the Northern War
In the 1709-1713 biennium. Menshikov commanded troops are exempt from Swedish Poland, Courland, Pomerania and Holstein. Then it focuses on the issues of the internal structure of the state, touching, due to its proximity to the king, all major governmental concerns. In 1715, Alexander Danilovich with the fleet arrived in Revel, where he studied the construction of the harbor. For participation in maritime affairs against the Swedes and the care of the Navy received the rank of Rear Admiral (1716). In 1718-1724 and 1726-1727 respectively Highness Prince was president of the Military Board, responsible for the arrangement of all the armed forces of Russia. On the day of the conclusion of the Treaty of Nystad, ended a long struggle with the Swedes, Menshikov awarded the rank of Vice Admiral.
abuses
Despite generous awards and honors received by the king, Alexander Danilovich differed excessive greed, repeatedly accuses of embezzling state-owned assets, and only thanks to Peter indulgence off with paying large fines. "Where it is a question of life or honor a person, that justice requires to weigh in the balance of equanimity as his transgressions and merits rendered by him to the fatherland and the Emperor ... - Peter thought - ... and he told me to continue to need it."
Menshikov took an active part in the investigation of Tsarevich Alexei Petrovich, accused of treason, and then sentenced to lethal punishment, but for unknown reasons died in prison.
The main dishonestly acquired assets amounted taken away under various pretexts land fiefdoms village. Specialized in taking away from the heirs of heirless property. Veils splitters, runaway peasants, vzymaya with them a fee for living on their lands.
After the death of Peter Lefort says about Menshikov, "stay with me one hand, thieving, yes it is true."
The actual management of the country
After the death of Peter the prince was leaning on a guard and a prominent public officials, in January 1725 enthroned wife of the late Emperor Catherine I and became the de facto ruler of the country, concentrated in his hands enormous power and subdue the army. With the accession to the throne of Peter II (son of Tsarevich Alexei Petrovich), he was awarded the rank of full admiral and the title of Generalissimo, his daughter Mary was betrothed to the young emperor. But underestimating their enemies and because of a long illness, loss of influence on the young emperor and was soon removed from the government.
Link and death. descendants
Vasily Surikov. "Menshikov in the Birch" (1883)
Due to the backstage intrigues senior government officials and courtiers, Alexander Danilovich without trial, but the results of the investigative commission of the Supreme Privy Council decree of 13-year-old boy emperor Peter II after the first reference to his estate - Ranenburg castle (located in Ranenburg (now Chaplygin Lipetsk region) has now almost completely destroyed), was stripped of all positions held, awards, property titles on charges of embezzlement and abuse, and exiled with his family in the Siberian town of Tobolsk Province Berezov. Menshikov wife died on the way (near Kazan). Menshikov himself built his rustic house (together with faithful servants of 8) and the little church. Known for its statement of the period:
"With the simple life begins, the simple life and finish."
Later in Siberia an outbreak of smallpox. First death of his eldest daughter, and then himself, November 12, 1729, at the age of 56 years. It is worth noting that, thanks to his efforts before his death he left heirs.
Menshikov was buried near the altar of the church built by his hands; then washed river Sos'va this grave. Of the descendants of Alexander Danilovich most known for his great-grandson, Admiral Menshikov, naval leader, commander in chief of the land and naval forces in the Crimean War of 1853-1856.
characterization
Alexander Menshikov was from impoverished Lithuanian nobles, had an education, although foreign sources from which copied its findings Russian historians often represented Menshikov illiterate. Due to its natural inquisitive mind, tireless energy and devotion to Peter I went down in history as a prominent Russian statesman and military leader Petrine era. "Minion of fortune", as he called his Pushkin knew tired in large and small business, helping to Peter the Great in all his endeavors. During the reign unable to state affairs Empress Catherine I, Menshikov became the de facto ruler of the state, replacing the primary role of the reigning monarch. He has achieved much, but at the end of life lost everything, it seems, does not regret it, trusting in God's providence.
honors
Shield of the Order of Alexander Sergeyevich Menshikov Seraphim with his coat of arms.
Imperial Order of St. Andrew - the first time the Russian institutions award, the highest award of the Russian Empire before 1917
Imperial Order of St. Alexander Nevsky (Order of St. Alexander Nevsky) - state award of the Russian Empire from 1725 to 1917. Is founded by Catherine I, and became the third Russian Order after the Order of St. Andrew's and women's Order of St. Catherine of Alexandria.
Order of the White Eagle [1] (Polish. Order Orła Białego) - the highest state award in Poland, one of the oldest Polish orders. Founded in 1705.
Order of the Black Eagle (Ger. Schwarzer-Adler-Orden) - the highest order of the Kingdom of Prussia.
first knight of the Danish Order of the Elephant was "Swiatlo Prince" Alexander Danilovich Menshikov
Wikipedia
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Minimalism paintings
