VILLIERS, GEORGE, first Duke of Bucking ham (1592-1628). The favorite of James I. and Charles I. of England. He was born August 28, 1592, and in 1614 entered the service of the Court, where at first his advance was retarded by the enmity of the powerful Earl of Somerset. After Somerset's fall Villiers rapidly rose in favor. In 1616 he received the Garter, and was created Viscount Villiers and Baron Waddon. In the January following he was created Earl of Buck ingham, and was sworn Privy Councilor. There after he became in succession Marquis, Lord Ad miral of England, Master of the King's Bench, High Steward of Westminster, and Constable of Windsor Castle. In 1620 Buckingham married Lady Katherine Manners, daughter of the Catho lic Earl of Rutland. In 1623, while negotiations were in progress for a marriage of the Spanish Infanta with the Prince of Wales, later Charles I., Buckingham persuaded the latter to go to Madrid and press his suit in pet-son. White on this mission he was created Duke of Buckingham, and on his return was nominated Lord Warden of the Cinque Ports. The negotiations proved an absolute failure, partly no doubt on account of Buckingham's arrogance, and as a result James declared war against Spain and allied himself with France. Buckingham maintained his ascendency after Charles I. came to the throne, and the treaty for the marriage of Charles with the Princess Henrietta. of France was concluded
by him, but he was never after permitted to re turn to Paris, in consequence of his audacity in making love to the French Queen, Anne of Aus tria. For a short time Buckingham enjoyed a passing popularity, but the ill-fated expedition to Cadiz made hint odious to the nation, and he was barely saved from impeachment by the King, who dissolved Parliament. The alliance with France proving unsatisfactory, Buckingham pre pared to aid the Huguenots. In 1627, with an armament of 100 sail and 7000 soldiers, Bucking ham appeared before La Rochelle, then in posses sion of the Huguenots, but they refused him ad mission to the harbor. II is troops then made a descent on the Isle of 111;5, only to return to England, defeated and disgraced. Buckingham was not diseouraged and soon after prepared a second expedition to La ltocheHe. He proceeded to Portsmouth for einharkation, and there was as sassinaled on August 23, 1628, by a discontented snballi•rn named Felton. Buckingham was an agreeable personality, but lie lacked all the quali ties that go to make a statesman, and he regu lated his policy in neeordanee with personal pique. Consult Gardiner. History of England, vols. ii.-iv. (London and New York, 1889).