George Villiers, the Duke of Buckingham, had become very
powerful under both James I and Charles I. Villiers had promoted
many of his supporters to high office – and had financially
benefited from doing this – but he had also made many enemies.
On a visit to Portsmouth in August 1628, the favourite of
Charles I was murdered. A letter written to Henrietta Maria, the
wife of the king, gave a graphic description of what occurred
that day. ‘This day between nine and ten of the clock in the
morning, the Duke of Buckingham, then coming out of a parlour,
into a hall, was by one (John) Felton (a Lieutenant of this
Army) slain at one blow, with a dagger-knife. As the Duke
staggered, he turned about, uttering only this word, “Villain!”
and never spoke a word more. But, presently plucking out the
knife from himself, before he fell to the ground, he made
towards the traitor two or three paces, and then fell against a
table. While he (Fenton) was in our custody I asked him several
questions, which he answered. He said he