Alexander Leslie (bef. 1638 - 1664)

Born before 5 Apr 1638 in Leslie, Fife, Scotland

Ancestors

Husband of Margaret (Howard) Leslie — married 30 Dec 1656 in Naworth Castle, Brampton, Cumberland, England

Died 15 Jul 1664 after age 26 in Balgonie Castle, Milton of Balgonie, Fife, Scotland

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Biography

2nd Earlof Leven

Earl Alexander Leslie was a member of the aristocracy in Scotland.

Alexander Leslie is a member of Clan Leslie.

Alexander was baptised in the parish of Leslie, Fife on 5 April 1638 and was the eldest son to Alexander Leslie and his wife Lady Margaret Leslie, Lady Balgonie.^[1]

On the death of his father in 1645 he was still in his minority. He was, with his surviving sister, Lady Catherine, taken under the care of his grandfather, who having provided the estates to him, made a special provision for his sister, and afterwards arranged her marriage to George, Lord Melville. ^[2]

In his youth he had as his tutor, named as a "pedagoge" and therefore his formal tutor, a Mr. Robert Turnbull.^[3]

His grandfather, in 1656, arranged his marriage to Margaret, fifth daughter of Sir William Howard, and sister to Charles, Earl of Carlisle. The marriage took place at Naworth Castle, in Cumberland, the residence of the bride's brother, on 30th December 1656, and the couple are recorded as staying at Naworth until March 1656 when they returned to Balgonie.^[4] It is not hard to see why there was reluctance if you visit the two castles (pictures copied for ready comparison).

In 1661, on the death of his grandfather, he succeeded as second Earl of Leven, and as such appeared in parliament at Edinburgh on 14th May 1661.

In 1662, he was chosen by Anna, Countess of Buccleuch (his half-sister, mother's second marriage), as one of her curators, and as such signed her marriage contract to James Scott, Duke of Monmouth illegitimate son to King Charles II..

Alexander died at Balgonie castle on 15 July 1664, of a high fever (likely influenza), after crossing the Forth with the Earl of Dundee at Edinburgh and Queensferry. He was buried at Markinch 3 August 1664.^[5]

The marriage produced three children, all girls^[6]:

Margaret, Countess of Leven.

Anna, mentioned in her father's will of 1663 but died before her elder sister.

Catherine, who would become the Countess of Leven on the death of her sister.

Entail to the Estates

On 12 February 1663 he covenanted to resign his honours in favour of the heirs-male, whom failing, to the heirs-female, without division, of his body, with remainder to the second sons respectively of John, Earl of Rothes, of his sister Catherine Leslie by her husband George Melville, Lord Melville, of his mother Margaret by her then husband David, Earl of Wemyss, and the heirs-male of their bodies, whom failing, to his own heirs-male whatsoever, whom failing, to his heirs and assignees.^[7] In 1664 he commenced a new will which mentions his having two daughters, and refers to another child still unborn.^[8] This can only mean that the "two" daughters referred to were Margaret and Anna and the "unborn" child was going to be Catherine although may have been male. Catherine must therefore have been born after his death in July 1664 and before the death of her mother in Sep 1664 thus suggesting her mother died giving birth or associated with it.

This covenant becomes critical in the passing of title.

Margaret was married to Francis Montgomerie of Giffen, nephew to the Earl of Rothes, just after 10 Oct 1673 and she died in November 1674, without issue.

Anna had already died prior to Margaret.

Catherine inheriting the honours in Nov 1674, died 21 Jan 1676 unmarried.

Thus, under the Covenant the estates passed to the line of sisters, starting with the Earl of Rothes. However the dignity to the estates did not immediately pass, as the Duke of Rothes was still alive, and though he had no second son, as long as he lived there could be one. Thus when he died on 27 July 1681, without male issue, the succession to the Leven title opened to David, second son of George Melville, first Earl of Melville, by Catherine, sister of Alexander.^[9]

Armorial

Balfour Paul^[10] gives the arms to the title as:

ARMS (not recorded in the Lyon Register, but given in Peers' Arms MS., Lyon Office). Quarterly: 1st and 4th, azure, a thistle slipped proper ensigned with an imperial crown or, a coat of augmentation; 2nd and 3rd, argent, on a bend azure three buckles or, for Leslie.

CREST. A mailed arm couped at the shoulder and flexed at the elbow azure, holding a scimitar in bend proper, hilted and pommelled or.^[11]

SUPPORTERS. Two ensigns in uniform, each holding in the exterior hand a banner gules, with a canton azure charged with a saltire argent.

MOTTO. Pro rege et patria (For King and Country).

Sources

Footnotes:

1. ↑ OPR Baptism index; LESLIE, ALEXANDER; ALEXANDER LESLIE/MARGARET LESLIE FR943 (FR943); M; 05/04/1638; 444/ 60 100; Leslie; from www.scotlandspeople.gov.uk
2. ↑ Fraser; Vol 1, page 439 and Genealogy
3. ↑ Fraser; Vol 1, page 439 and Genealogy
4. ↑ Fraser; Vol 1, page 439 and Genealogy
5. ↑ Balfour Paul; Vol 5, page 379
6. ↑ Balfour Paul; Vol 5, page 380
7. ↑ Balfour Paul; Vol 5, page 379
8. ↑ Fraser; Vol 1, page 440 and Genealogy
9. ↑ Balfour Paul; Vol 5, page 381
10. ↑ Balfour Paul; Vol 5, page 381
11. ↑ Nisbet gives this as a man in armour holding a sword, with other two for supporters.

Publications:

• Paul, James Balfour. The Scots Peerage (David Douglas, Edinburgh, 1904-1914)

• Sir William Fraser. The Melvilles, Earls of Melville, and the Leslies, Earls of Leven; in 3 Volumes - Vol 1 referenced. Volume I. Edinburgh: Privately Printed, 1890. archive.org