William (Leslie) Leslie IVth of Balquhain (abt. 1395 - abt. 1467)

Born about 1395 in Balquhain, Aberdeenshire, Scotland

Ancestors

Descendants

Died about 18 Apr 1467 at about age 72 in Balquhain, Aberdeen, Scotland

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Biography

William (Leslie) Leslie IVth of Balquhain is a member of Clan Leslie.

It is worth noting that the family historian, Leslie, Charles Joseph, was not specific regarding dates of birth and marriage and inconclusive regarding deaths of all but the head of the family. Dates, particularly for this generation are calculated from events or assumed based on the position of an offspring in a lineage.

William Leslie was the oldest surviving son of Sir Andrew Leslie, 3rd Baron of Balquhain, by his wife Isabel Mortimer of Craigievar. All historical sources of this family suggest that they lost six sons to Sir Andrew Leslie on the field of Harlaw. Andrew's father was named Hamelin and there is no William in the family. It seems highly improbable that William was the oldest son but certainly was the oldest of the two remaining sons.

He succeeded as 4th Baron of Balquhain, on the death of his father, 22 January 1420. Even by this date he was esteemed for his great prudence and valour. He received the honour of knighthood at the coronation of King James I., on 1 April 1424. He must therefore have been older than 24 at this point and his date of birth must be prior to 1400.^[1]

He appears in a Charter of 30 Jun 1432 by Alexander Seton, Lord Gordon, a family with which they will remain closely connected for generations, to William Forbes of Kinaldie, another family they will be connected with for generations, albeit this one will be a feud. In this Charter he is stated to be Willelmus de Leslie de Syde, indicating that the lands of Syde were part of the Balquhain lands even at this date. It can only be presumed that they were held to the Earl of Mar as they will later be granted back to the family under Royal Charter. (See John Leslie)

On 10 Dec 1433 he appears in one of the last Charters of Alexander Stewart, Earl of Mar and Lord of the Garioch, his liege Lord, where he is granted the farms of Selby and Lochtillock, at Monkegy, in the Garioch.^[2]

Sir William Leslie was one of the principal officers and commanders under Alexander Gordon, Earl of Huntly, at the battle of Brechin, on 18 May 1452, against Alexander Lindsay, Earl of Crawford, who had rebelled against King James II..^[3] As a result of this action, Alexander Gordon, by Charter, granted to Sir William the lands of Kincraigie in Mar, and Avochie in Strathbogie. The Earl of Huntly was provided the Lordships of Badenoch, Lochaber and others, thus changing the liege Lord of Sir William. They would retain this loyalty for some generations.

He was held bailie to the Queen for her regality in the Garioch (her lands there) and she spoke highly of his service and provided the family with the lands part of Drumdurnoch. She resided at Wardis, lands which will be held by the Leslie's.

Sir William, on 5 March 1457, resigned the barony of Pitcaple into the hands of the king, James II., to be granted in favour of David Leslie, his son by his third wife, Euphemia Lindsay.

Later in 1457, 5 November, he was one of the Parliament for the reduction of the earldom of Mar from Lord Erskine, at the instance of the Crown, before the Lord Lindsay, Justice General. The committee consisted of Alexander (Gordon), Earl of Huntly; William (Hay), Earl of Errol; William (Keith), Dominus Keith, Marischall Scocie, George (Leslie) Dominus Leslie de Rothes; William Leslie de Balquhane, and others.^[4]

On 27 March 1460 he received, by Charter from Alexander Leslie, 1st Baron Leslie, a series of lands held by the family in the Garioch. This Charter was confirmed by Royal Charter on 4 April 1460.

Sir William died on 18 April 1467.^[5]

Family and Legacy

Sir William marries three times.

Marriage to Lady Elizabeth Fraser

He married, about 1434, Lady Elisabeth Fraser, she was the daughter of Hugh Fraser, 1st Lord Lovat, who was, at the time, a hostage in England, being held for surety of King James I..

Lady Elizabeth is likely to have died before 1440. They had three children:

Alexander Leslie; who will succeed.

William Leslie, who will become 1st Baron Kincraigie. He purchased Kincraigie from his brother Alexander in 1470.^[6]

Guilda Leslie, who marries William Barclay, Baron of Gartly.

Marriage to Agnes Irvine

Sir William married, secondly, likely close to 1438, Agnes Irvine of Drum. Drum was a neighbour to Balquhain and both Lords held allegiance to the Earl of Mar prior to 1457. She is likely a granddaughter to the Alexander Irvine of Drum that fell at Harlaw.

They had eight children and she was likely young when they married:^[7]

Alexander Leslie, who will become 1st Baron of Wardis. Alexander received Wardis, Drimmies and Middleton from his father about 1460.^[8]

George Leslie, who will become 1st Baron of New Leslie.^[9]

Thomas Leslie, who entered the church and was parson at Kingussie.

Elisabeth Leslie, who will marry Norman Leith, Baron of Barnes. He was the son of Laurence Leith of Barnes.^[10]

A daughter, who marries, first, a Stewart of Laithers, and, second, to the Laird of Balquhollie. A family of Mowatt held Balquhollie, (Fermartin distict). The time of this marriage was likely 1465 and thus it seems probable to have been Alexander Mowatt.

A daughter, who marries Cullen in Aberdeen.

A daughter, who marries Cheyne of Stralock.

A daughter, who marries the Laird of Auchteralter.

Agnes Irvine died, likely around 1448.

Marriage to Euphemia Lindsay

Sir William married, thirdly, likely around 1448 and she likely young as they have eight children prior to William's death in 1467, to Euphemia Lindsay. She was only child and heiress of William Lindsay of Cairney, second son of David Lindsay, 1st Earl of Crawford, by Janet, daughter of King Kobert II. With Euphemia Lindsay, Sir William Leslie got the lands of Cairney, which are lands just north of Huntly.^[11] While this detail is provided in the source there are a number of inconsistencies. David Lindsay is known to have married Elizabeth Stewart and there is no mention of a child William of Cairney.

Sir William acquired Cairney from this marriage although the legacy would have been for children of this marriage.

They had eight children:

David Leslie, who will become first Baron of Pitcaple. Likely born 1448. David Leslie received Pitcaple, part of the Balquhain lands, in 1457.^[12]

James Leslie, who will succeed his brother and become 2nd Baron of Pitcaple. Likely born 1450.

A daughter, will marry Alexander Menzies, the Provost of Aberdeen between 1475 and 1486.

Margaret Leslie, who will marry George Forbes of Auchintool.

A daughter, who will marry Duncan Davidson of Auchenhampers.

A daughter, who will marry Alexander Marr.

Magdalen Bessie Leslie, who will marry John Forbes of Terpree.

A daughter, who will marry Thomas Guthrie of Kinblaithmond.

Mistress

He is know to have had a mistress, a Mary (sometimes Marjory) Meldrum, a daughter of Sir Thomas Meldrum of Fyvie. They had a number of children, notably a Patrick Leslie. Patrick received from his father the lands of Logydurno. It is from Patrick that the Leslies of Iden, the Leslies of Baccarn, and the Leslies of Crichie are descended.^[13]

Sources

Footnotes:

1. ↑ Historical records of the family of Leslie from 1067 to 1868-69; Volume 3, page 10.
2. ↑ Inverurie and the earldom of the Garioch; page 100
3. ↑ Historical records of the family of Leslie from 1067 to 1868-69; Volume 3, page 10.
4. ↑ Historical records of the family of Leslie from 1067 to 1868-69; Volume 3, page 12.
5. ↑ Historical records of the family of Leslie from 1067 to 1868-69; Volume 3, page 14.
6. ↑ Inverurie and the earldom of the Garioch; page 100
7. ↑ Historical records of the family of Leslie from 1067 to 1868-69; Volume 3, page 13.
8. ↑ Inverurie and the earldom of the Garioch; page 100
9. ↑ Historical records of the family of Leslie from 1067 to 1868-69; Volume 3, page 13.
10. ↑ The Thanage of Fermartyn, including the district commonly called Formartine; Temple, William; page 32
11. ↑ Historical records of the family of Leslie from 1067 to 1868-69; Volume 3, page 13.
12. ↑ Inverurie and the earldom of the Garioch; page 100
13. ↑ Historical records of the family of Leslie from 1067 to 1868-69; Vol 3, pg 408

Publications:

• Historical records of the family of Leslie from 1067 to 1868-69. Collected from public records and authentic private sources; Leslie, Charles Joseph; 1869; available at archive.org; Volume 1, Volume 2, Volume 3

• Scottish arms : being a collection of armorial bearings, A.D. 1370-1678 ........; Stoddart, Robert Riddle; 1881; available at archive.org; Volume 2

• Inverurie and the earldom of the Garioch; a topographical and historical account of the Garioch.......; Davidson; John; 1878; available at archive.org

• The Thanage of Fermartyn, including the district commonly called Formartine, its proprietors, with genealogical deductions; its parishes, ministers, Churches, churchyards, antiquities; Temple, William; 1894, available at archive.org

Notes and links

• thepeerage.com - Sir William Leslie, Baron of Balquhain