History of Menshikov biography

Menshikov Alexander is a close friend of Peter, the hero of Poltava, Favorite, Generalissimo and Admiral of the White Flag, the first builder of St. Petersburg, his merits to Russia were huge, his life was amazing, his personal condition was one of the largest in the empire, his greed knew no boundaries. Among the "chicks of the Petrov nest" this is the most contradictory figure. The origin of A.

Menshikov is not known for certain. Many researchers are inclined to believe that he was born in the city of a quick boy noticed a foreigner in the Russian service Franz Lefort, who took Alexander to his service. At the age of 20, Alexander Menshikov became the “royal amusing warrior” - the scorer of the Preobrazhensky regiment. He accompanied the king on all his trips, participated in all sovereign fun, turning from a batman into a faithful friend and ally.

Menshikov became an active participant in the Azov campaigns and GG. Menshikov, along with Peter, visited Europe as part of the Great Embassy in the GG. The military career of Alexander Danilovich is closely connected with the Northern War when Russia opposed the Swedish Empire in the Baltic states. Menshikov headed the cavalry. In gg. The capture of these fortresses meant the actual transition of the whole Ingermanland under the control of Russia.

A. Menshikov, who actively showed himself in any role, was appointed the governor of this area. Being a faithful performer of the will of Peter I, Menshikov did not forget to show his personal qualities. For example, during the siege of the Narva fortress, he managed to outwit the experienced royal general Gorn, the commandant of the city, dressing Russian soldiers in a similar to Swedish uniform.

In Ingermanland, Menshikov first declared himself as a military leader. For the victory over the army of General Maydel, who was going to take possession of the built St. Petersburg, Menshikov is awarded the title of Governor General Narva and all conquered lands near the Gulf of Finland. At the same time, he becomes a general over the entire Russian regular cavalry. For merits to the Polish crown in the city of Menshikov, the Polish Order of the White Eagle is awarded, and next year, thanks to Petrovsky efforts, Alexander Danilovich Menshikov becomes the brightest prince.

Then the Polish king Augustus, constantly suffering from the Swedes of defeat, decided to attract Menshikov to the Polish service, granting Alexander Danilovich the title of commander of the Flemin Infantry Regiment, which was renamed the regiment of Prince Alexander.

However, the real glory of Menshikov was still ahead. Menshikov decides to attack the Swedish-Polish positions near Kalish, and on October 18, for this success, Peter I granted Alexander Danilovich the commander’s rod on his own drawn. The precious rod was decorated with a large emerald, diamonds and the princely coat of arms of the Menshikov clan. This work of jewelry was estimated at a huge amount for that time - almost three thousand rubles.

During the war on the Polish lands, the brightest prince Alexander Menshikov was erected to real secret advisers and became a prince of Izhora. And again, for combat merits in the confrontation with the Swedish king Charles XII. In Ukraine, they tried to use the confrontation between Sweden and Russia in their own interests. But Menshikov took the city storm and upset the enemy plans.

The decisive land battle between the Russian and Swedish troops occurred on June 27, Cavalry, under the command of Menshikov, bravely fought against the advancing Swedes. For participation in the Battle of Poltava, the sovereign awarded Menshikov the title of General-Field Marshal. Only Boris Vasilievich Sheremetev had such a rank in the Russian army before in the Russian army.

After the defeat of the ground forces, Menshikov made a lot of efforts to fulfill its allied obligations to the Commonwealth and Denmark, therefore, before the city of the Prussian king Friedrich-Vilgelm awarded the Russian General of Field Marshal the Order of the Black Eagle. With G. Menshikov, he was engaged in governor general in St. Petersburg, and also ruled the Baltic states and Izhora land, and was in charge of the collection of state revenues.

During the frequent departments of Peter I, he headed the country's administration and was twice the president of the military collegium of the GG. However, the native of the very bottoms of the Russian society Menshikov could not miss the case so as not to take this or that amount to his hands. And, starting with G., Alexander Danilovich was constantly under investigation for numerous abuses and theft.

He was repeatedly subjected to Peter I with huge cash fines. But this did not affect Menshikov’s personal condition, who was the second landowner in Russia after the sovereign himself. After the death of Peter the Great in the city, due to illness, he could not resist the influence of the princes of the Golitsyn and Dolgoruky on the new Russian monarch. He is subjected to royal disgrace, and then arrest.

All property was confiscated, and Menshikov and his family were exiled to the prison of Berezov, where he soon died. The children of the prince - Alexander and Alexander - Empress Anna Ioannovna allowed to return from exile. Cover: Unknown artist. Portrait of Prince Alexander Danilovich Menshikov.