Walter was the second son of John Leslie, the 10th Baron of Balquhain, by his third wife. Walter entered the Austrian army (Bohemia) and by 1632 he held the rank of major in a body of soldiers made up of Scottish and Irish musketeers under Colonel Gordon. This was the army of King Ferdinand II’s Holy Roman Empire. This army was fighting against Protestant forces led by Alexander Leslie. Walter’s role was not only as a soldier, but as a diplomat and ambassador. He kept Charles I informed with a particular interest in promoting Stuart interests on the continent, and briefed Charles I on Wallenstein’s actions.
Wallenstein was the head of the Catholic Army of the Austrian Emperor This army was opposed to the Protestant Army of Gustavus of Sweden. At that time Walter Leslie was a captain in Wallenstein’s army and Walter became aware of a treasonous act plotted by Wallenstein against Ferdinand II’s army. Walter informed Colonel Gordon of Wallenstein’s intention, leading to Wallenstein’s demise. Because of that act, Walter Leslie was rewarded by military promotion, lands in Bohemia and Governor of Sclavonia, and Knight of the Golden Fleece. In 1640, Walter married Princess Anna of Dietrichstein. Walter is also referred to as Count of the Holy Roman Empire.
Walter Leslie, being settled in Europe, disposed of his holdings of Balquhain to his brother Alexander (not the Alexander who led the Protestant army). Walter had no heir so he sent for his brother’s second son James. James received an excellent education and held positions of distinction in the Imperial Household and in the Army.
Count James Leslie led the forces that broke through the siege of Vienna which was held by the Turks. Through his actions, Hungary was liberated from the Turks in 1685. In 1666, James married Princess Maria Teresa of Lichtenstein. There were no children from this marriage, so James summoned James Ernest Leslie, his nephew from Scotland. James Ernest succeeded James as Count Leslie of Gratz.
According to the author of the book, the line of the Counts of Leslie became extinct about 1858. After court proceedings in Austria, part of the Gratz property was awarded to the Balquhain family.
Note: It was customary in Scotland to have the eldest son inherit title and lands. While second and subsequent sons found service as military officers or clerics. This pattern of roles by the sons of Leslies was quite common and has resulted in a wealth of information being available through the 1800’s in Leslie history.
Additional information on the military history of Leslies during the Thirty Years’ War is available in the book Alexander Leslie and the Scottish Generals of the Thirty Years’ War 1618-1648 by Steve Murdock and Alexia Grosjean published in 2014.
You may be interested in this post about Count Walter Leslie
ounts Leslie Succession based on Historical Records of the Family of Leslie Volume 3
Walter Leslie
James Leslie, Eldest son of Alexander 14th Baron of Balquhain
Some of the spoils of war were sent back to Fetternear
James Ernest Leslie
Charles Cajetan Leslie
Anthony Leslie died without issue in Germany.