Walter Butler, a descendant of the Roscrea branch of the Earls of Ormond who owned Kilkenny Castle, died on Christmas Day in 1634 while fighting in southern Germany for Emperor Ferdinand II. His best known feat occurred in 1634 when he foiled a plot by Imperial Field Marshal Albrecht von Wallenstein to betray the empire and seize the throne. Von Wallenstein offered Butler command of two well paid regiments, and other generous incentives to join his cause, which Butler outwardly agreed to do. However, he dispatched a letter to an imperial agent stating he was being coerced into obeying von Wallenstein’s orders and remained loyal to Emperor Ferdinand. It was the here that William Butler won his most famous victory in 1632 and later surprised Wallenstein.

Source: The Irish Times December 27, 2019 06:56 UTC