Duke of Buckingham

Also known as: Buckingham / Villiers / the Duke of Buckingham / the duke / the handsome duke · Family: English court · Role: duke · First appears: Chapter 11

At Calais in chapter 11, the Duke of Buckingham was involved in an affair with De Wardes that left De Wardes seriously wounded, making them enemies. By chapter 12, De Guiche regarded Buckingham as only a simple acquaintance, while Madame was thought to have sent the handsome duke away after showing him great preference.

In 1648 at Hampton Court, Buckingham warned his friend Raoul that the woman he loved was unworthy: “He loves a lady who is unworthy of him”. Raoul agreed to remain in England if Buckingham would explain the impending misfortune openly. At the same time, Buckingham had abandoned his courtship of Mary Grafton, saying that his wound was incurable, while Duchesse d’Orleans was identified as the woman he loved. He offered his hand to Lucy Stewart to lead her to the king, and later acted as Raoul’s patron by yielding his claim to Mary Grafton and recommending that Raoul do the same.

In chapter 38, Buckingham told Raoul that Mademoiselle de la Vallière was deceiving him.

Relationship record

Life events

• Comte de Guiche learns that M. de Wardes was seriously wounded in an affair with the Duke of Buckingham.(Chapter11 · 📍 Calais)
  • With: De Guiche De Wardes Raoul
  • “I found M. de Wardes at Calais; he has been seriously wounded in an affair with the Duke of Buckingham.”
• Buckingham warned Raoul that the woman he loved was unworthy, prompting him to seek an explanation in Paris.(Chapter37 · 📍 Hampton Court)
  • With: Raoul
  • “He loves a lady who is unworthy of him”
• Raoul agreed to remain in England in exchange for Buckingham’s promise to explain the impending misfortune.(Chapter37 · 📍 Hampton Court)
  • With: Raoul
  • “I will remain, if you will promise to speak openly and without reserve.”
• Buckingham tells Raoul that La Vallière is deceiving him.(Chapter38)
  • With: Raoul Mademoiselle de la Vallière
  • “You told him candidly, I suppose, that La Vallière was deceiving him?”

Chapter 11

• with De Wardes (They have fought an affair or duel.) “I found M. de Wardes at Calais; he has been seriously wounded in an affair with the Duke of Buckingham.”
• enemies with De Wardes “I found M. de Wardes at Calais; he has been seriously wounded in an affair with the Duke of Buckingham.”

Chapter 12

• enemies with De Wardes “The knowledge that my adversary’s sufferings were still greater than my own.”
• with De Guiche (interaction) “The Duke of Buckingham is for me nothing more than a simple acquaintance,”
• courtship with Madame “Madame after having shown the greatest preference for the Duke of Buckingham, is at this moment supposed to have sent the handsome duke away for your benefit.”

Chapter 13

• with De Wardes (interaction) “Did any one make a similar remark about your duel with the Duke of Buckingham?”

Chapter 37

• with Lucy Stewart (Buckingham escorts Lucy Stewart to Charles II.) “Will you do me the honor to accept my hand, in order that I may lead you to the king, who is waiting for us?”
• courtship with Mary Grafton (Buckingham describes his discontinued pursuit of Mary Grafton.) “Perfectly true, madame; but you will do me the justice to admit that I have long discontinued a useless pursuit, acknowledging that my own wound is incurable.”
• courtship with Duchesse d’Orleans (Buckingham is described as being in love with the Duchesse d’Orleans.) “the duke does not love me, because he is in love with the Duchesse d’Orleans”
• friends with Raoul (Raoul confirms that Buckingham has called him a friend.) “The duke has honored me by calling me so ever since we met in France.”
• admired: Mary Grafton (Buckingham describes his discontinued pursuit of Mary Grafton.) “I have long discontinued a useless pursuit, acknowledging that my own wound is incurable.”
• admired: Duchesse d’Orleans (Buckingham is in love with the Duchesse d’Orleans.) “the duke does not love me, because he is in love with the Duchesse d’Orleans”

Chapter 38

• protégé: Raoul (Buckingham recommends Raoul to the king and advances his interests.) “the true motive is that Buckingham strongly recommended the young man to me, saying: ‘Sire, I begin by yielding up all claim to Miss Grafton; I pray you follow my example.’”
• friends with Raoul “Go, and bring our friend here, Villiers.”
• courtship with Mary Grafton “Sire, I begin by yielding up all claim to Miss Grafton; I pray you follow my example.”

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Extracted from the original text of Louise de la Vallière. Made with Rho MD.