The dangerous art of being a monarch's favourite
In the 16th and 17th centuries, being the ruler's most trusted companion was a high-stakes gamble. These individuals held immense political power, yet their sudden rise often triggered violent rebellions, executions, and intense social loathing from the established nobility.
A 'favourite' was more than just a companion; in early-modern Europe, they were often delegated significant political authority. This phenomenon peaked between 1600 and 1660, particularly in Spain, England, France, and Sweden, as growing governmental complexity outpaced the talents of many hereditary rulers. While some favourites were personal lovers or friends, others were valued for their administrative skill. However, the term carried an inherent sting of disapproval, defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as someone standing 'unduly high' in a prince's favour.
The political cost of such intimacy was often blood. Because favourites frequently bypassed traditional hierarchies, they incurred the 'envy and loathing' of the nobility. Critics often compared them to mushrooms—appearing suddenly and overnight from 'excrement.' This resentment frequently led to physical violence. For instance, the English noble Piers Gaveston was executed by rebels in 1312, and the Scottish favourite Robert Cochrane was hanged from Lauder Bridge by a cabal of nobles. In some cases, the monarch's own hand was involved, such as the 1086 strangulation of Ibn Ammar by the ruler of Seville.
The era of the all-powerful minister-favourite eventually waned by the late 17th century. In Britain, power shifted toward Parliament and the office of Prime Minister. In France, Louis XIV resolved to rule directly, ending the era of delegated power seen under predecessors like Cardinal Richelieu. While some favourites, like the high-born Leicester or Oxenstierna, enjoyed longer tenures, those rising from humble backgrounds—like the barber Olivier le Daim or the baker's son Melchior Klesl—faced much more precarious paths to power.
Source: Favourite
