Gothard Wilhelm Butler

Who was Gothard Wilhelm Butler?

Gothard Wilhelm Butler was a Polish-Lithuanian nobleman and politician of German origin, born in Kuldīga. He was Grand treasurer of the Crown, the Crown court chamberlain and a captain of the guard of King John II Casimir Vasa and starost of Preny, Now, Parnow and Bolesław.

He started serving as a court writer. Shortly afterwards, then became a courtier of Prince John Casimir. He was associated with him until his death. He accompanied the king, also in the expedition to Spain in 1638 and was imprisoned with him by Cardinal Richelieu in France. Through the exchange of letters that personally transported to Louis XIV and the Polish court, the king was soon freed. He was the first member of his family to convert from Protestantism to Catholicism. One of the richest in the Commonwalth, he started building the castle in Preny.