Ian’s Reviews > Fight for a Throne: The Jacobite '45 Reconsidered > Status Update

This sounds interesting, might add after reading your review, Ian :))

Beata wrote: "This sounds interesting, might add after reading your review, Ian :))"

Your knowledge of British history shames me Beata! By comparison my knowledge of Poland is extremely sketchy.

I know there was some Scottish emigration to Poland in the 17th century, the reverse of the situation today. There's a book called "Scotland and Poland: Historical Encounters 1500- 2010" which I haven't read. Perhaps I should start with that.

Ian wrote: "Beata wrote: "This sounds interesting, might add after reading your review, Ian :))"

Your knowledge of British history shames me Beata! By comparison my knowledge of Poland is extremely sketchy.

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I don't know if you've heard of Barclay de Tolly, Ian. (view spoiler)[He was the Russian Minister of War (commander) during Napoleon's invasion of Russia in 1812 (hide spoiler)]

He was descended from a Scots family that had emigrated to Livonia, I think in the 1500s or 1600s. While not exactly the same as emigrating to Poland, I thought I'd bring up one example. Also, when I read Swords for Hire: The Scottish Mercenary a little while ago, it seemed that there were many Scottish mercenaries who settled in Eastern Europe.

Elliot wrote: "Ian wrote: "Beata wrote: "This sounds interesting, might add after reading your review, Ian :))"

Your knowledge of British history shames me Beata! By comparison my knowledge of Poland is extremel..."

Hi Elliot. I'd not heard of Barclay du Tolly until I read your recent review of a biography of him. As you say a number of Scots made a living as hired soldiers in Eastern Europe. I previously read a biography of Peter the Great that referred to a General Patrick Gordon as one of the Tsar's closest advisors. I might try and read more about him one day.