David Leslie (1601-1682)

Army officer

David Leslie served under the Swedish king Gustavus Adolfus in Germany during the Thirty Years War. One in twelve of the Swedish army were Scots. He returned to Scotland to involve himself in the civil wars, acting as Lieutenant-General to Alexander Leslie, earl of Leven. He fought at the battle of Marston Moor in 1644 and defeated the army of the Marquis of Montrose at Philiphaugh in 1645. He escaped from Cromwell's New Model Army after defeat at Dunbar in 1650, but was captured after the second defeat at Worcester the following year. He was held captive in the Tower of London until the Restoration of 1660. Charles II made him Lord Newark a year later.

Testament of David, lord Newark

National Records of Scotland, CC8/8/77 pp 73-75

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