Walter Butler of Roscrea facts for kids

Walter Butler of Ballinakill Castle, Roscrea (born around 1600 – died December 25, 1634) was an important army leader. He worked as a colonel in the Imperial Army, which was the army of the Holy Roman Emperor. Walter Butler served under a famous general named Albrecht von Wallenstein. He was also involved in a big event: the removal of Wallenstein from power in 1634.

Ballinakill Castle: Walter Butler's Home

Ballinakill Castle is located between the towns of Roscrea and Dunkerrin in Ireland. Today, you can see the old ruins of this building near the main road from Dublin to Limerick. It's about six kilometers from Roscrea, towards Nenagh.

This building was more like a strong, protected house than a traditional castle. It was built to defend against attacks. We don't know the exact year it was built, but it was after 1580. That's when Pierce Butler bought the land. The house had three stories, but now only the outer walls remain.

The most amazing part of Ballinakill Castle is its strong outer wall, called a "bawn." A bawn is like the protective walls around a castle. The bawn at Ballinakill is still one of the best examples in Ireland.

Later, Sir Richard Stephens owned the castle. In 1680, he sold it to Colonel Charles Minchin, who was a soldier. His family added another house to the property.

Walter Butler's Army Career

Walter Butler became a soldier when his family's land in Roscrea, County Tipperary, was taken away in 1616. He joined the army of Emperor Ferdinand II of the Habsburg family. He fought bravely as a colonel in the Thirty Years’ War, a very long and important conflict in Europe.

In 1631, Walter Butler and his Irish soldiers fought under General Tilly. They were fighting against a Swedish army led by MacKay. This happened during the siege of Frankfurt-an-der-Oder, a city in Germany. Butler was hurt and captured by the Swedish forces. Some people blamed him for losing the city.

However, Butler was brave. He even got the Swedish King, Gustavus Adolphus of Sweden, to say that he had fought well. After he was released, he went to the Imperial army's main base. There, his enemies had to take back their accusations against him.

Joining Wallenstein's Army

In 1632, Walter Butler joined the army led by General Wallenstein. Wallenstein had been made the main commander again by Emperor Ferdinand II. This was because the Swedish army was doing very well. Butler quickly earned Wallenstein's trust. He was made a colonel in charge of a dragoon regiment, which was a type of soldier who could fight on horseback or on foot.

While the Imperial army fought against the Swedish at places like Zirndorf and Lützen, Wallenstein's helpers were secretly talking with the enemy. This led to accusations that Wallenstein was trying to make peace with the Swedish King without the Emperor's permission.

The End of Wallenstein

When Wallenstein's secret plans were discovered in 1632, Walter Butler played a key role. He helped the Emperor by arranging for Wallenstein to be removed from power in 1634. On February 25, Butler, along with other officers named John Gordon and Walter Leslie, carried out the plan. This happened after Wallenstein's close friends, Christian von Ilow, Adam Erdmann Trčka von Lípa, and Vilém Kinský, had also been removed.

Emperor Ferdinand II was very grateful to Walter Butler. He made Butler a Count of the Empire and gave him land called Friedberg. He also gave Butler a special Imperial Gold Chain. Walter Butler continued to serve the Emperor. He died while fighting in a battle at Schorndorf on December 25, 1634.

See also

• Butler dynasty