Back in their homeland, they had to endure political and economic hardships while under pressure from the hateful British. The Russians, however, offered them high ranks, prosperity and an opportunity to participate in the creation of a grand empire.
1. Alexander Leslie
Public Domain
Scotsman Alexander Leslie enlisted in the Russian service three times: in 1618, 1630 and 1647. After the third time, he decided to settle in Russia permanently.
Being a man of rampant courage, Leslie had a highly explosive temper. Thus, during the siege of Polish Smolensk in 1633, a regiment of foreign mercenaries under his command saved the regiment of another mercenary colonel, Thomas Sanderson, from total defeat by the Polish hussars. However, this did not prevent Sanderson from being shot later by Leslie in cold blood at a military council, accusing him of treason.
