Alexander Seaton facts for kids
Alexander Seaton (sometimes spelled Seton) was a Scottish soldier who lived in the 1600s. He worked for the country of Denmark during a big conflict called the Thirty Years' War. He was a brave leader who served as a governor during the important Battle of Stralsund (1628). Later, he became an admiral in another war called the Torstenson War.
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Alexander Seaton's Life
We don't know exactly when or where Alexander Seaton was born. We also don't know who his parents were. Some people think his father might have been Alexander Seton of Lathrisk or George Seton of Cariston.
Starting His Military Career
Alexander Seaton began working for Christian IV of Denmark, who was the King of Denmark. On April 8, 1626, he became a captain in the infantry (foot soldiers). The Danish king asked for help, and on June 30, the Scottish Privy Council (a group of advisors in Scotland) allowed Seaton to gather 500 Scottish soldiers to join the Danish army.
By February 28, 1627, Seaton had been promoted to lieutenant colonel. This meant he was a higher-ranking officer. In September of that year, he was hurt in a fight near Oldenburg. He was helping to protect the back of Bernhard of Saxe-Weimar's army from the forces of Johann Tserclaes, Count of Tilly during the Battle of Heiligenhafen.
Defending Stralsund
Seaton and his soldiers moved to the city of Stralsund. There, they joined other Scottish soldiers who were part of Donald Mackay's regiment. This was during the famous Battle of Stralsund (1628). Seaton served as a lieutenant colonel during this battle.
He took over as the governor of Stralsund after Heinrich Holk. While Seaton was in charge, the city successfully defended itself against the powerful army of Albrecht von Wallenstein. Wallenstein's army was part of the Holy Roman Empire.
In July, another Scottish soldier named Alexander Leslie took over as governor. Leslie arrived with more soldiers from Scotland, Sweden, and Germany. Wallenstein finally gave up the siege on August 4. This was a big moment because it was the first time Wallenstein's army had been stopped during the Thirty Years' War.
After the Battle of Stralsund, Seaton did not stay with his regiment when it started working for Sweden. Instead, in 1628, he joined the Norwegian infantry as a captain. For the next 17 years, we don't have many records about what Seaton was doing.
By 1645, he had become a colonel in the Norwegian army and navy. In that same year, Seaton was given command of eight Danish navy ships. He became an admiral and fought against Sweden in the Torstenson War. This was the last time a British officer was appointed by King Christian IV of Denmark.
With his ships, Seaton attacked the city of Gothenburg (Göteborg) from the sea in August 1645. This attack happened just before the Treaty of Brömsebro was signed. This treaty ended the war between Denmark and Sweden, with Sweden gaining an advantage.
The last time Alexander Seaton is mentioned in records is on April 19, 1649, when he was still a colonel in the Norwegian army. We don't know when or where he died, and there are no records of him being married.
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