The title of Duke of Buckingham has been created and extinguished four separate times.

Wars & Conflicts · Published 15 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: The dukedom of Buckingham is a storied British title that has vanished and reappeared across centuries. From royal favorites and political power brokers to tragic figures executed for treason, the holders of this name shaped English history before the title ultimately became extinct in the late nineteenth century.

The first creation of the dukedom occurred in 1444 for Humphrey Stafford, a prominent supporter of the House of Lancaster during the Wars of the Roses. His descendants faced turbulent fates; his grandson Henry was executed for rebelling against Richard III, and his great-grandson Edward was later put to death for treason under Henry VIII. By 1523, the title had been posthumously attainted, marking a dramatic end to the initial line.

A second creation emerged in 1623 for George Villiers, a powerful favorite of James I and Charles I. Villiers wielded immense influence as a chief minister, orchestrating military campaigns against France and Spain. His tenure ended abruptly in 1628 when he was killed by an army officer who had served under his command. The second dukedom eventually died out in 1687 with the passing of his son, who is remembered for establishing early foxhunting traditions in England.

The title saw two further iterations. In 1703, John Sheffield was named Duke of Buckingham and Normanby, a line that lasted until 1735. Finally, in 1822, the title was revived as the Duke of Buckingham and Chandos for Richard Temple-Grenville. This final creation lasted until 1889, when the third duke died without a male heir. While the dukedom itself ceased to exist, the family's legacy persists in landmarks like Buckingham Palace, which stands on the site of the house built by the first Duke of Buckingham and Normanby.

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