Historic%20Yorkshire

I.
DEATH OF THE DUKE OF BUCKINGHAM.
Buckingham's aptitude for mimicry and ridicule, and so
pronouncedbecame this influence that he was his chosen
companioninevery viceand folly,and wasnotinfrequently
exercisedfor the downfallof personshighin the State.
Himself of a vicious and profligate nature, he was a
fitting instrument in the handsofthe debasedKing. As
an instance of Buckingham'sdepravity,and the shameless
profligacyof the time in whichhe lived, his intrigue with
the Countess of Shrewsbury and its tragic connection
place him in the worst light. Boasting to the Earl of
Shrewsbury ofthe success of his amour, the Earl, though
a diminutiveand feebleperson,was provoked to send him
a challenge. Theyfought in thepresence of two seconds,
who also fought at the same time. The Earl fell at the
first thrust, while the Duke's second was killed at the
same instant. Buckingham, elated with the victorious
result of the encounter, hastened to the Countess at
Cliveden, who received him with every demonstration of
satisfaction. The account of the Countess, disguised as
a page, and holdingthe bridleofthe Duke's horse during
the duelis considered to be entirely fictitious.
The young Earl of Shrewsbury, through the Duke of
Westmoreland,afterwardstriedto annul the Royal pardon
which was granted to the Duke because he had received
great provocation from the Earl of Shrewsbury, having
fought him twice before, "and as often given him his
life," and that the Earl had nevertheless threatened
that unless he would fight him again he would " pistol
him " wherever he found him. These reasons of pardon
werementioned by the Duke inhis defence, and also the
fact that the lady had then "gone into retirement," and
though a datewas fixed for the consideration ofthe young
Earl's petition, it does not seem to have been further
noticed. It is said that the Countess had one son by the
Duke, and who died in earlyinfancy.
On the death of Charles,in1685, the Duke,recognising
the fact that in James he would find a monarch far more
difficult to control, or even conciliate, than he had in
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