George Villiers was born
in Brooksby, Leicestershire, in 1592. He became a close friend of
James I who nicknamed him "Steenie"
(a reference to St. Stephen whom in the Bible describes as having
the "face of an angel").
The king arranged for him
to hold several posts including Gentleman of the Bedchamber (1615),
Master of the Horse (1616) and Lord Admiral (1619). In 1623 Villiers
became the Duke of Buckingham. Later that year he persuaded the king
to declare war on Spain.
When James
I died in 1625 his son Charles
became king. He also greatly
admired Buckingham and he continued to have influence over the monarchy.
Buckingham
was guilty of corruption and he used his official posts to enrich
himself. Several attempts were made to get him dismissed, however,
he continued to be protected by the king and in 1627 his main critic,
Sir John Eliot, was imprisoned in the
Tower of London.
Buckingham's reputation
was further damaged by the disastrous attempts to aid the Huguenots
at La Rochelle in 1627. The following year George Villiers, Duke of
Buckingham, was assassinated while in Portsmouth
by an army officer, John Felton.
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