Stitcher: Ania Staciewicz (Edinburgh)
More privileged than the pedlars were those Scots who became purveyors to the Polish court and the military. In 1585 the king decreed no obstruction should be offered to “the Scots who always follow Our Court and who are at liberty in all places, where We and Our Royal Court stay, to exhibit their wares and to sell them.” As well as supplying the army, Scotsmen fought within it too. Patrick Gordon (1635-99) was one of many in Polish military service in Poland, seeking opportunities for advancement not available at home. After 1661 Gordon made his name in the Russian army.
PL02 Saighdearan
Fada nas fheàrr dheth na na ceannaicheansiubhail, bha na h-Albannaich sin a thàinig gu bhith nan solaraichean don chùirt Phòlainneach agus don arm. Ann an 1585, dh’àithn an rìgh nach bu chòir bacadh sam bith a chur air “na hAlbannaich a tha an-còmhnaidh a’ leantainn Ar Cùirt agus a tha saor anns gach àite far am bi Sinne agus Ar Cùirt Rìoghail a’ fuireach, a thaisbeanadh agus a reic am bathair.” A thuilleadh air solarachadh an airm, bha Albannaich a’ sabaid an taobh a-staigh dheth cuideachd. Bha Pàdraig Gòrdain (1635–99) mar aon de na mòran a bh’ anns an t-seirbheis armailteach Phòlainneach anns a’ Phòlainn, a’ sireadh chothroman airson adhartas nach robh ri fhaotainn aig an taigh. Às dèidh 1661, rinn an Gòrdanach ainm dha fhèin anns an arm Ruiseanach.