VILLIERS, (GEORGE) duke of Buckingham, memorable in English story for having been the favourite of two kings, was born at Brookesby in Leicestershire, in 1592. Being a very handsome youth, his mother resolved to introduce him at court, concluding that a young gentleman of his fine figure, would attract the notice and favour of James I. The king being present at a play, performed by the Cambridge scholars, it was previously contrived that Villiers should appear. The plan succeeded ; for the king no sooner cast his eyes upon him, than he became Fascinated: for, as Lord Clarendon observes, ” though he was a prince of more learning and knowledge than any other of that age, and really delighted more in books and in the conversation of learned men, yet, of all wise men living, he was the most delighted with handsome persons and fine clothes.”
The earl of Somerset, his majesty’s late favourite, was immediately discarded, and Villiers soon after his first appearance at court, was appointed cup-bearer to the king. In the space of a few weeks he was successively knighted, made a gentleman of the bedchamber, and knight of the garter. In a short time he was created a baron, a viscount, an earl, and a marquis. He also became Lord High Admiral of England, Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports, and Master of the Horse. All the favours, honours, and offices of the three kingdoms were entirely at his disposal. In consequence of which, he exalted almost the whole of his numerous family and dependants, many of whom had no other merit than that of their alliance to him.
On the succession of Charles, in 1625, the Duke was equally a favourite with that prince, but he had lost all confidence with the Parliament. Votes and remonstrances passed against him as an enemy of the country; and the king was refused a supply on the ground of his ill-management. The Duke caused this and the next Parliament to be soon dissolved, and proposed new projects for raising money. He acted, indeed, as violence and passion dictated. A war having been declared against France, he took the command at the descent descent upon the isle of Rhée; in which the flower of the army was lest.
Returning to England, he reviewed the fleet and array, and was about to repair to the relief of Rochelle, which was then besieged by Cardinal Richelieu, and was at Portsmouth for that purpose, when he was assassinated by one John Felton, an Englishman; who, from a gloomy disposition, conceived it would be doing God and the nation service to rid the world of such a mischievous
man. This assassination took place on the 23d of August, 1628.
Source: Anonymus: Eccentric biography; or, Sketches of remarkable characters, ancient and modern. London, 1801.