Friday 25 May 2018

James Francis Edward Keith

Someone who participated in the early Jacobite Risings fought for the Russians and also fought under Frederick the Great. Killed at Hochkirch
The Hon. James Francis Edward Keith (11 June 1696 – 14 October 1758) was a Scottish soldier and Prussian field marshal. As a Jacobite he took part in a failed attempt to restore the Stuart Monarchy to Britain. When this failed, he fled to Europe, living in France, and then Spain. He joined the Spanish and eventually the Russian armies and fought in the Anglo-Spanish War (1727) and the Russo-Swedish War (1741–1743). In the latter he participated in the conquest of Finland and became its viceroy. Subsequently, he participated in the coup d'état that put Elizabeth of Russia on the throne.

He subsequently served in the Prussian army under Frederick the Great, where he distinguished himself in several campaigns. He died during the Seven Years' War at the Battle of Hochkirch. He received the Black Eagle Order and is memorialized on the Equestrian statue of Frederick the Great.
Funeral of Marshal Keith

1 comment:

WimVdB said...

He also fought for the Russians against the Ottomans and later in Poland.
There is an excellent biography written about the man, but I need to search for the title and writer.