15 Facts About Peter Lacy

Peter Graf von Lacy was an Irish-born soldier who later served in the Imperial Russian army.

Peter Lacy died on his private estate in Riga, where he served as governor for many years.

In 1647 he was the only Peter Lacy to be a member of the Supreme Council of Confederate Catholics, and in 1651 he was excluded from amnesty after the 1st Siege of Limerick.

At the age of 13, during the Williamite war in Ireland Peter Lacy was attached to the Jacobite defence of Limerick against the Williamites with the rank of Lieutenant.

Peter Lacy gained fame at this stage by advising the Czar that musketeers should wait until they were within a few yards of the enemy before opening fire.

Peter Lacy was reputedly the first Russian officer to enter the capital of Livland and he was appointed the first Russian chatelain of Riga Castle in the aftermath.

Three years later, Peter Lacy succeeded Repnin in command of the Russian forces quartered in Livland, and in 1729 he was appointed Governor of Riga.

When Catherine was Empress Peter Lacy was given responsibility for removing Maurice de Saxe from Courland.

Peter Lacy led the Russians in two other decisive battles of the conflict, Wisiczin and Busawitza.

Peter Lacy bridged the Sea of Azov at a narrow point near Perekop.

Peter Lacy was roused from bed in the early hours of the morning in a test of his loyalty.

Peter Lacy was not aware if the men sent to him were from Elizabeth or Grand Duchess Anna.

Peter Lacy quickly struck against Finland and won his last brilliant victory at Lappeenranta.

The war over, Peter Lacy withdrew to Riga and resumed the command of the Russian forces stationed in Livland.

One son was Count Franz Moritz von Peter Lacy, the famous Austrian field marshal who was a Count of the Holy Roman Empire.