# Duke of Buckingham — Henry VIII character guide

> Duke of Buckingham in Henry VIII by William Shakespeare.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Buckingham O, Buckingham, poor Buckingham, Whose figure even this instant cloud puts on, By darkening my clear sun, Buckingham Sir, Buckingham Sir Thomas Lovell, the great Duke of Buckingham, Duke of Buckingham, the Duke of Buckingham, Buckingham The devil, My lord the Duke of Buckingham, and Earl Of Hereford, Stafford, and Northampton, Buckingham Lo, Lo, Henry of Buckingham

**First appearance:** 0003-act-i-scene-i

## Snapshot

A proud nobleman who trades memories of French glory with Norfolk one morning and learns by afternoon that his own surveyor has sold him for gold.

## Who they are

Buckingham opens the play reminiscing about the Field of the Cloth of Gold, where two kings shone 'like heathen gods,' only to be arrested on a warrant listing his confessor, chancellor, and a monk among the 'limbs of the plot.' He sees at once that the 'o'er-great cardinal' has bought his surveyor and that his life is 'spann'd already,' calling himself the shadow of poor Buckingham. His swift destruction establishes the play's atmosphere of courtly peril, where greatness meets misery before the audience has finished its first cup of wine.

## Relationships

### [King Henry VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_viii_se/characters/king_henry_viii)

_rivalry_

Buckingham is a noble rival to Henry, accused of treason and executed due to Wolsey's machinations and the king's suspicion.

### [Cardinal Wolsey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_viii_se/characters/cardinal_wolsey)

_rivalry_

Wolsey actively plots against Buckingham, leading to his arrest and execution, making them bitter enemies.

### [Queen Katherine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_viii_se/characters/queen_katherine)

_friendship_

Buckingham and Katherine share mutual respect and sympathy, both victims of Wolsey's influence.

### [Gardiner](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_viii_se/characters/gardiner)

_rivalry_

Gardiner is aligned with Wolsey against Buckingham, contributing to his downfall.

### [First Gentleman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_viii_se/characters/first_gentleman)

_social_

The First Gentleman observes Buckingham's trial and fall, but has no personal connection.

### [King Henry VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_viii_se/characters/king_henry_viii)

_rivalry_

Buckingham is a noble rival to Henry, accused of treason and executed due to Wolsey's machinations and the king's suspicion.

### [Cardinal Wolsey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_viii_se/characters/cardinal_wolsey)

_rivalry_

Wolsey actively plots against Buckingham, leading to his arrest and execution, making them bitter enemies.

### [First Gentleman](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_viii_se/characters/first_gentleman)

_social_

The First Gentleman observes Buckingham's trial and fall, but has no personal connection.

### [King Henry VIII](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_viii_se/characters/king_henry_viii)

_rivalry_

Buckingham is a noble rival to Henry, accused of treason and executed due to Wolsey's machinations and the king's suspicion.

### [Queen Katherine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_viii_se/characters/queen_katherine)

_friendship_

Buckingham and Katherine share mutual respect and sympathy, both victims of Wolsey's influence.

### [Cardinal Wolsey](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_viii_se/characters/cardinal_wolsey)

_rivalry_

Wolsey actively plots against Buckingham, leading to his arrest and execution, making them bitter enemies.

### [Queen Katherine](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_viii_se/characters/queen_katherine)

_friendship_

Buckingham and Katherine share mutual respect and sympathy, both victims of Wolsey's influence.

## In the story

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_viii_se/chapters/act-i-scene-i)

Arrested for high treason; criticizes Wolsey's ambition and manipulation.

### [Scene II](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_viii_se/chapters/act-i-scene-ii)

Accused by the Surveyor of treasonous statements and plotting to seize the crown; the King orders his arrest and trial.

### [Scene I](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_viii_se/chapters/act-ii-scene-i)

Condemned for high treason, he speaks with noble patience and forgiveness before his execution, reflecting on his fall and warning against misplaced trust.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_viii_se/characters/duke_of_buckingham
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_viii_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/henry_viii_se/characters