The life and times of George Villiers, duke of Buckingham, Volume 3 (of 3) From original and authentic sources

In the turbulent years of the early 1620s, a charismatic courtier rises to unparalleled power, shaping the destiny of England’s monarch and the nation’s foreign ambitions. As the king appoints him chancellor amid a scandalous death, heated parliamentary debates erupt, revealing the stark clash between royal favour and public suspicion. Amid the intrigue, the duke’s bold plans for war with France and his daring expedition to support the embattled Huguenot stronghold at La Rochelle take centre stage, offering a vivid portrait of ambition and risk.

Beyond the battlefield, the statesman’s refined tastes leave an indelible mark on English culture. He cultivates a dazzling art collection, commissions works that rival those of the Spanish court, and champions the era’s leading dramatists, fostering a golden age of theatre that includes figures such as Ben Jonson and Massinger. Listeners will be drawn into the complex web of politics, patronage, and personal drama that defined a man both revered and reviled, setting the scene for the dramatic climax of his story.