Jacques Margeret

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Jacques Margeret (c. 1565 – c. 1619) was a French mercenary captain who, in 1607, wrote the first printed French travel account of the Tsardom of Russia, entitled, Estate de l'Empire de Russie et de Grand Duché de Moscovie. A member of one of the oldest families of Auxonne, located on the border between Burgundy and Franche-Comté, Margeret was probably born around 1565. He grew up in the turbulent period known as the French Wars of Religion, in a Protestant family. Becoming a soldier, he fought for the Protestant King Henry IV of France against the Catholic League, serving the king until Henry's conversion to Catholicism in 1593. After leaving Henry's service, Margeret joined the crusade against the Turks in southeastern Europe. He first served with the Prince of Transylvania and then with the Holy Roman Emperor in Hungary. Next, he commanded a company of foot soldiers in Poland. He returned then to Austria where a Muscovite ambassador invited him to Moscow in 1600. After arriving in Moscow, Margeret received command of a company of foreign mercenaries (cavalry) from Tsar Boris Godunov. For his service he received an annual pay of 80 rubles and nearly 1,000 acres (4 km) of land.