The British drama《Mary & George‎》is a true story. The drama is adapted from the love-hate relationship between George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham, and King James I of England.

George Villiers was born into an ordinary squire family in Leicestershire.His father was also named George Villiers, but as a father he certainly couldn't believe that many years later this name would become famous in England.

Elizabeth I, although we call her the “Virgin Queen”, is not weak at all.During her reign, the British economy prospered, literature was brilliant, and the Spanish Armada was defeated militarily... It can be said that she created the golden age of Britain.After her death, James I of Scotland took over the throne, but his rule has been questioned.Because his external methods were too weak, the British people who were confident at the time were greatly dissatisfied. Therefore, after learning that he did not like beauties and preferred blue ones, some subjects said half-jokingly and half-sarcastically: “Britain is now led by JamesThe Queen rules.”

It is obviously too insulting to say that he is a queen, but James I's sexual orientation did prefer men.After he and Queen Anne of Denmark fathered seven children, both seemed relieved.Anne had already had her heart broken over many years of widowhood, and was obviously more comfortable no longer having children with James.And James, when he was young, had never lacked male favorites around him, such as the Earl of Lennox, who was his friend in his youth, and his favorite after ascending to the throne of England, Sir Robert Carr of Somerset, and PlatinumGeorge Villiers, Duke of Han, was undoubtedly his favorite man in his life.

James I once publicly declared in the Privy Council: “You may be sure that I love the Duke of Buckingham more than I love all of you put together.This is not a flaw in personal virtue, Jesus did the same thing, he had John, I have George.”...Look, if you compare your relationship with George to that of Jesus and John, James I may have a deep love.

Let’s talk about George’s biggest asset first, which is of course his good looks.It is said that he has thick curly chestnut hair and mysterious black eyes.People said he had a lovely complexion, fair but not lacking in color.Tall, with fine limbs, he was the best-built man in England.At the same time, he also has elegant conversation, quick reactions and very high intelligence. As long as he wants to please someone, that person will feel like a spring breeze.

George had been educated in France since he was a child, and was proficient in aristocratic sports such as dancing, horseback riding, and fencing, which undoubtedly provided him with a step forward in his political career.Because he had a lot of abundant capital, George himself was ambitious and wanted to make a name for himself in the English court. He hit it off with the pimp Bishop Abbott. Under the introduction of the bishop, George and James I met.

A few months after meeting, he was appointed as the Royal Cupbearer, responsible for serving the king's food and daily life.

Two years later, he was made a viscount, the following year he was made Baron Buckingham, and in 1623 he was promoted to Duke.

After being promoted to Duke, George wrote to James I:

“Your Majesty, I write this letter with extremely complicated emotions. I am afraid that I have reached a dead end.

On the one hand, I knew it was too early, but on the other hand, I was afraid of causing trouble to His Majesty.

I love you more than myself, and I am writing this letter for my own peace of mind.

Despite the contradiction, I want to state that I will die of longing for you.

Your faithful slave and dog, Steenie”

Such a disgusting letter, claiming to be a slave and a beloved dog, is enough.Steenie, a slightly feminine name, is James's nickname for George.

At this time, James I had another favorite, Sir Robert Carr of Somerset, but when he saw the more handsome George, he immediately put his former lover aside and concentrated on being with his new love.

George has a very high emotional intelligence. Although he is extremely favored by James, he has not forgotten to establish good relationships with other people.For example, James I's wife, Anne of Denmark, had completely different views on her two favorites, Robert Carr, Earl of Somerset, and George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham.Anne detested Karl, but she supported Willis and even agreed to knight George in her bedchamber.In private, the two of them were quite close friends, and Anne even felt that the king would have to regain his male favorite anyway, and it would be better to be George than someone else.

James' son Charles, the future Charles I, also maintained a close relationship with George.You must know that when his brother Henry was alive, the frail Charlie was a little transparent, but George still treated the neglected prince very friendly and patiently.So after Charlie became the Prince of Wales (in the UK, the Prince of Wales is equivalent to the Crown Prince), he immediately became friends with George openly and openly, and even in important matters such as asking for a wife, he was accompanied by George, Duke of Buckingham.Even for a long time after their marriage, the relationship with his daughter-in-law Henrietta Maria was tense. The reason was that Henrietta was jealous of the close relationship between Charles and George.

Although George was good at dancing, because of his rapid rise to power, he blocked the way of countless people, so there were even more people who hated him.He was not accessible to the lower classes in Britain, but the bad reputation of George's sycophant, who rose to power by virtue of his appearance, spread widely, and it is difficult to say whose handiwork it was.

Death of George Villiers

Although George made a very important investment in advance, which was to establish a good relationship with Crown Prince Charlie before James grew old.George is indeed unique in grasping interpersonal relationships, but we have to admit that he is as inexperienced as a child in the military.Several military activities related to him, such as leading the army to recapture the Palatine, all resulted in nothing.After the failed siege of Roy's Island, the English's dissatisfaction with George reached its peak.You must know that when Elizabeth I, the British navy was enough to defeat the Spanish Armada. By the time of James I, the navy was no longer useful.And under the command of George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham, they were retreating steadily?A letter at the time included the following statement: "England has never been so humiliated."“The excited English put all the blame for the British army's defeat on George.

In order to restore the reputation of his closest ministers, Charles I asked George Villiers to lead the fleet to La Rochelle again. If this battle was successful, it would obviously be possible for both the monarch and his ministers to save some face in Parliament.

In August 1628, George arrived in Portsmouth Harbor to prepare for departure.Although he knew that his actions over the years had caused dissatisfaction among many people in the country, he did not expect that he would die in an assassination.John Felton was an officer in the former expeditionary force. After the defeat of the war, John, like most soldiers, did not receive any military pay and lived in poverty.

When he heard rumors that George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham, was the culprit who caused numerous casualties and loss of glory to the army, he decided to use the knife to avenge himself, his colleagues, and the country.

On the morning of August 23, 1628, John stood guard at the door of George's room. When George came out, he stabbed the knife into his chest and shouted: "May God forgive your soul!"”George soon died of his injuries, and John Felton was immediately arrested and sentenced to death after a court trial.According to legend, George Villiers, a handsome man who brought trouble to two generations of kings, passed away like this.

Because of his handsome appearance, George Villiers reached the pinnacle of power.Also because he used beauty as a way to get ahead, he was looked down upon by the traditional aristocrats of England.Many people even blame him for the British Civil War, believing that he undermined the stability of British politics.But I do think that given the complexity of the religious environment in Britain at that time, religious conflict was definitely a certainty, but it would only happen sooner or later.The dream of James and Charles, father and son, for the divine right of kings was contrary to the British constitutional monarchy at that time. All policies that failed to conform to the trend of history would surely be crushed by history.Therefore, Charles I died on the guillotine, and George should not bear the blame.