John Meyrick (ambassador)

John Meyrick (died 1638) was an English diplomat and merchant who served as the English ambassador to Russia during a turbulent period of Anglo-Russian relations.

Meyrick was a member of the Muscovy Company, an English trading company that held a monopoly on trade between England and Russia. He likely engaged in trade with Russia for many years before becoming involved in diplomacy.

Meyrick's ambassadorship to Russia spanned roughly from 1614 to 1621, a period marked by political instability in Russia following the Time of Troubles and strained relations between England and Russia. His principal task was to secure and advance the trading interests of the Muscovy Company, which were often challenged by Russian restrictions and rival foreign merchants.

His tenure was complicated by the execution of Tsar Boris Godunov's daughter, Xenia, who had been promised in marriage to a relative of James I of England. This event, combined with other grievances, led to a cooling of relations. Meyrick worked to repair the damage and re-establish favorable trading terms for English merchants. He successfully negotiated treaties and agreements that, for a time, protected English trading privileges.

After concluding his ambassadorship, Meyrick remained active in the Muscovy Company and continued to advocate for English interests in Russia. He died in 1638.