Musketeer, The

Determined to return to La Rochelle, the Duke was in Portsmouth making plans to mount another expedition. John Felton, a disgruntled soldier whose pension had been curtailed, walked 60 miles to Portsmouth so he could stab Buckingham with a butcher’s knife.

Dead at age 36, George Villiers was mourned by Charles I but not by many of his countrymen. He was, however, buried in Westminster Abbey near the tomb of the King (James I/VI) who had enriched and empowered him. His tomb bears this inscription: "The Enigma of the World."

His family did make a lasting contribution to the British throne. In 1703, one of his descendants built a beautiful mansion in London and called it Buckingham Palace. King George III bought it in 1761, and it has been the official London residence of the British monarch since 1837. And, it is said, the ghost of George Villiers himself is one of many that haunts Windsor Castle, also a home of the current Queen.

When Buckingham’s second expedition failed to leave England, no further outside help was given to the port of La Rochelle. After 14 months, the town could hold out no longer and was forced to surrender. Wisely, Richelieu allowed the people to retain their civic and religious freedom, although they were totally stripped of military and political power.

The cardinal had taken a major step forward in his goal to unify France under an absolute monarchy. He had a little help from the King’s musketeers.