About this episode

This episode explores the life of George Villiers, the Duke of Buckingham, and his rise to favor in Stuart England under James I.

You don't have to be young and beautiful to get ahead in Stuart England but it really doesn't hurt. The is the story of 'gorgeous George' - that is to say George Villiers (later Duke of Buckingham) who in his early 20's became the favourite of James I of England (VI of Scotland). Despite his willingness to promote based on good looks, James I comes out of this rather well. He may have believed in witches (how else to explain what happened to his bride??) but he also believed in peace - ...

People in this episode

Host: Russell Hogg

Topics covered

• history
• Stuart England
• George Villiers
• James I
• monarchy
• political favoritism

Mentioned in this episode

Places: Stuart England, England, Scotland

More episodes of Subject to Change

• The Return of the Emperor (Justinian II - part 2) · April 27, 2026 · 1h 3m
• Mutilated and exiled (the Emperor Justinian II - part 1) · April 20, 2026 · 47 min
• YEAR ZERO: Jonathan Clements on the First Emperor of China · March 10, 2026 · 1h 20m
• The Big Hop of 1919 · February 17, 2026 · 1h 16m
• Martin Luther, serfdom and the German Peasants’ War · January 26, 2026 · 1h 5m
• World War I: The surprising victory of 1918 · January 5, 2026 · 1h 8m

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Subject to Change podcast page.