Historic%20Yorkshire
Historic%20Yorkshire
Historic%20Yorkshire
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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