LYALL, JAMES [SSNE 516]

Surname

LYALL, LEYEL, LEYELL, LEIJELL, LYLE, LÖGEL

First name

JAMES

Title/rank

CAPTAIN

Nationality

SCOT

Social status

OFFICER

Text source

James Leyell was first a lieutenant in Donald Mackay's [SSNE 93] regiment in Danish-Norwegian service in 1627. He subsequently, like many Scottish officers, entered Swedish service and was a captain in Colonel John Ruthven's [SSNE 191] regiment in 1632. He and Captain Peter Ruthven [SSNE 3414] were joint commanders of the Swedish garrison at Oppenheim in May 1632 when Chancellor Axel Oxenstierna sent through orders on how the garrison was to be quartered. He was later murdered in Westphalia

Axel Oxenstierna to captains Ruthven and Leyell. Mainz, 2 May 1632 [RAOSB VII]“Insonders geliebter Herr Capitän. Hiemit thue ich demselben ordre überschicken, nach welcher die guarnison zu Oppenheim underhalten werden soll, so wohl alls bey hiesig gantze armée bereihts ein geraume zeyt beschicht; dess versehens Ihr und andere bey eüch habende officers auch darbey verpleiben, keinen burger oder underthonen darüber treiben, sondern alle quartier nach billicher proportion zugleich ausstheylen, die anwehsendte officirs und soldaten darein accommodiren, und solche zu andern nebenexactionibus vorzubehalten im geringsten gestatten, sondern es also anstellen werdet, damit das quarter zur nohturft noch lange zeyt dauren möge. Inmassen solchs alles der Königl. M:st unsers allergendegsten hernn etc. ernster ordonnantz gehehss ist. Göttlicher bewahrung damit empfohlen. Datum Meyntz den 2 maii 1632.”

Swedish Krigsarkiv, Muster Roll, 1632/31; Rikskansleren Axel Oxenstiernas skrifter och brefvexling, first series, VII, pp.275-6; T. Riis, Should Auld Acquaintance Be Forgot (Odense, 1988), II, p.131; J.Mackay, 'Mackay's Regiment' in Transactions of the Gaelic Society of Inverness, VIII, 1879, p.187.

Service record

DENMARK-NORWAY, MACKAY'S REGIMENT

Arrived 1627-01-01, as LIEUTENANT

Departed 1627-12-31, as LIEUTENANT

Capacity OFFICER, purpose MILITARY

SWEDEN, JOHN RUTHVEN

Arrived 1632-01-01, as CAPTAIN

Departed 1632-12-31, as CAPTAIN

Capacity OFFICER, purpose MILITARY

SWEDEN, OPPENHEIM GARRISON

Arrived 1632-05-02, as COMMANDER

Departed 1632-05-30, as COMMANDER

Capacity OFFICER, purpose MILITARY