George Villiers,
Duke of Buckingham
George Villiers (pronounced Villers) was the First Duke of Buckingham and was widely known as being one of the most powerful courtiers in history. He was born on August 28, 1592 and was a close advisor and personal favourite of King James I of England and Scotland.
George Villiers, who was the son of one of the minor noblemen of England, was born in Brooksby, Leicestershire. His father was Sir George Villiers (1550-1604) and his mother was Mary, daughter of Anthony Beaumont of Glenfield, Leicestershire (1570-1632). Sir George Villiers died early in George's childhood and his mother Mary, in hopes of raising her son to become a courtier, sent him to France with Sir John Eliot.
His stay in France, proved very beneficial for the young George Villiers and he quickly made a name for himself by excelling in fencing and dance, and even took it upon himself to learn a little of the French language. His future seemed so promising that in August of 1614 he was presented to the then King of England, James I.
James, upon meeting face to face with George was so smitten with the talented youth that he soon became one of the King's most trusted confidants. In fact, the King was so taken by George Villiers' charms that he was moved to refer to George as his "sweet child and wife". George Villiers was equally enamoured of the King and wrote him long, flowing letters proclaiming his love and undying allegiance.
The current favourite of the King at that time, the 1st Earl of Somerset, Robert Carr had made quite a few enemies during his time at the court and these critics readily announced their support for George Villiers. With Robert Carr's fall from the King's good graces following the Overbury scandal, George Villiers quickly assumed his post.
Under the protective arm of the King, George Villiers quickly grew to power and influence. He was knighted in 1615, given the title Gentleman of the Bedchamber and shortly after that advanced to Peerage.
The following year saw more advancement in George's career, with him being appointed Baron Whaddon and Viscount Villiers. More titles followed in quick succession; Earl of Buckingham in 1617, Marquess of Buckingham in 1618 and finally in 1623, he was made Earl of Coventry and Duke of Buckingham that same year.
During the Tudor period in English history, reductions were made in Peerage and subsequently; George Villiers became the most powerful man in England aside from the Royal Family. This meteoric rise to the top of England's ruling class was a remarkable feat that had not been equalled before or since that time.
Sometime in the 1620s, George Villiers purchased the York House at Strand and aside from a short period during the English Civil War, the house was a property of the Villiers family until 1672. At that year, George Villiers, the 2nd Duke of Buckingham sold the house to developers for the sum of £30,000, which is a respectable sum of money by today's standards but a staggering amount in those days.
Original Authors: Doods Pangburn
Edit Update Authors: M.A.Harris
Updated On: 25/07/2008
