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More than 5000 entries on the history, culture and life of Britain (published in 1993 by Macmillan, now out of print)
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Duke of Buckingham
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(George Villiers, 1592–1628, kt 1615, duke 1623) Handsome son of a Leicestershire knight who in 1614 came to the notice of the highly susceptible *James I, resulting in Villiers' rapid progress through the ranks of the peerage. In 1623 he accompanied the future *Charles I to Spain in search of a bride. At that time, and subsequently in the reign of Charles, he was allowed to busy himself with the highest matters of diplomacy and warfare, causing immense resentment. When parliament attempted to impeach him, Charles dissolved parliament. In 1628 he was assassinated in Portsmouth by John Felton, a disaffected officer with a grudge about his lack of preferment.
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