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CHAPTER XXII.<br />

DEATH OF THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM AT<br />

KIRKBY-MOORSIDE.<br />

EORGE VILLIERS, Duke of Buckingham,<br />

was born January 30th,1627. The son ofhis<br />

father ofthe same name, he was educated at<br />

Cambridge,and spent some part of his early<br />

life in travelling; but, on the outbreak of the<br />

Civil War, he returned to England to espouse<br />

GL? the Royal cause. In the battle, however, near<br />

Nonsuch, his brother, Lord Francis, was killed, and the<br />

Duke himself escaped with great difficulty. Again, at<br />

Worcester, at the defeat of Charles, he was obliged to<br />

seek safety in flight. His estates were confiscated,part<br />

being assigned to Fairfax, who allowed the Duchess of<br />

Buckingham, the mother of George, an annuity. The<br />

Duke, encouragedby this, although outlawed,returned to<br />

England and marriedone of Fairfax's daughters. Shortly<br />

afterwards he was thrown into the Tower by Cromwell,<br />

and subsequentlyhe was placed in Windsor Castle, from<br />

which he was released at the Restoration.<br />

He now became the prime favourite of the Merry<br />

Monarch. Alreadyinvested with the Order of the Garter,<br />

he was sworn a memberof the Privy Council,and made<br />

Lord-Lieutenant of the county of York. On the formation<br />

ofthe Cabal a chief memberwas Buckingham. The<br />

King's weak and facile nature was greatly influenced by

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