Court favourites

Robert Carr

• A favourite between 1607-1613, he became a Privy Councillor in 1611 and Earl of Somerset in 1613
• Fell from favour following a quarrel with James and the Overbury Scandal, where Carr and his wife were found guilty of poisoning Thomas Overbury

George Villiers, the Duke of Buckingham

• Made a Gentleman of the Bedchamber in 1615 and became the Duke of Buckingham in 1623
• By 1618, he had control of royal patronage, using his position to ensure that his friends were promoted and to remove…