Paul Menesius

Paul Menesius (Russian Павел Гаврилович Менезиус or Менезий or Миннюст, 1637 - 1694) was a Scottish soldier and diplomat, the Russian origin.

Life

Menesius came from an old wealthy Scottish family, of Catholic and traditional background, which was forced to emigrate in 1639.

He studied in France at the Douai College.

After Oliver Cromwell's death in 1658 the family returned to Scotland. Although Charles II returned the family's land, the family's wealth was lost. Paul, who was the youngest son, had to seek his own living; joining the Polish military.

In 1661 defected to Russia There, he received a master's rank and later married a Russian woman.

During 1671 - 1672 he stayed in Scotland. At that time, the Russian state was looking for allies amongst the European states to fight Turkey. Menesiuse was one of the ambassadors sent in 1672, going to Berlin, Dresden, Vienna, Venice and Rome. Anywhere other than Rome, although they were polite, but not a direct response to this, even in Vienna he had a suspicion.

In Vienna he announced that the Turks conquered the Kamenetsi and Russian arsenals, the Austrian Emporer led an army to the borders to defeat the achristian invaders.

In Rome Menesiusel delivered a letter from Tsar Aleksei Mihhailovitši to Pope Clement X requesting help against a common enemy, and asking for him to intercede and write to the Kings of England and France that they might aid him against the enemies of christians

Meeting with the pope

Template:Sectionstub Menzies refused to kiss the popes foot and was refused an audience on that account.

An audience was arranged in secret, but the negotiations ended unsuccessfully.

Later life

Menzies friendship with Narõškiniga Kirill, who was now the Czar's father-in-law, and Patrick Gordon and others place him close to Czar Alexi, and until the Czar's death he instructed his son (the future Peter I) on military matters.

Once Czar Aleksei died his status in the Royal Courts waned, when Peter I became Czar he returned to favour in Moscow.

Menesius enthusiastically defended the interests of Russia, but remained also a staunch Catholic and Scottish patriot.