George Villiers: 1st Duke of Buckingham, Lover of King James I and VI

b. Aug 28, 1592

d. Aug 23, 1628

George Villiers was the son of a Leicestershire knight. Introduced in the court in 1614, when he was 22, he caught the eye of James I, and soon became his favourite and was his lover for more than 10 years.James I, after an enquiry about his relationship with Viliers, declared to the Parliament:

"You may be sure that I love the Earl of Buckingham more than anyone else, and more than you who are here assembled. I wish to speak in my own behalf and not to have it thought to be a defect, for Jesus Christ did the same, and therefore I cannot be blamed. Christ had John, and I have George."