Villiers Revealed - Darling of the Stuart Court
Date: Sat, 5th Oct 2024 - Sat, 28th Jun 2025
Venue: Melton Carnegie Museum
George Villiers – Darling of the Stuart Court Revealed
Courtier, Politician, Sex Symbol…Lover?
George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham was one of the most famous figures of early 17th century Europe. Born at Brooksby Hall in Leicestershire, he became the 'favourite' of King James I.
Famous within his own lifetime and beyond, Villiers was subject to intense speculation as to the nature of his relationship with King James I. Historical evidence details an intense closeness that we might describe as 'Queer' today. From lavishing the courtier with kisses, to declaring himself as 'husband' – the dashing George Villiers was known as the king's 'favourite'. A reminder that LGBTQ+ life and love isn't a side story in history, but it shapes history. A history we all inherit and can explore together.
In a unique exhibition at Melton Carnegie Museum, we reveal histories that have often been misrepresented, hidden, and erased.
Co-curated with Jon Sleigh, Arts Educator, Learning Officer and Learning Curator, we are looking at Leicestershire's Museum Collections to identify LGBTQ+ connections and the potential to interpret them in new ways with new audiences.
'To grow up and not see yourself represented in a museum you care about hurts. Museums are spaces for all our stories – yet continue to have gaps in how they are told. Gaps in seeing how you love, knowing there were others like you, how we express ourselves, and the universal truth that all our stories overlap.
LGBTQ+ and Queer stories in museums matter because we matter.
Telling LGBTQ+ stories with dignity, passion and purpose uplifts so many different communities. It's an act of celebration, recognition, defiance and reflection. Ultimately, it's an act rooted in kindness and equity.
This exhibition – with queerness at its heart – is for everyone. Here you'll find human stories of desire, politics, ambition, identity and belonging. It invites you to question who gets to tell stories in museums and how. Villiers himself shapes not just this museum collection, but Leicestershire history and, in turn national history and pop culture. Let's tell his story, and ours together.'
Get involved in exploring and sharing LGBTQ+ stories
Villiers was one of the most painted men in the early Stuart period. He commissioned portraits by the leading painters of the day to show off his status, titles and wealth. We will be working with community groups and individuals to create artistic responses to the exhibition around the theme of identity and self-expression.
Sign up for creative workshops email: culture@leics.gov.uk
Become a volunteer www.cultureleicestershire.co.uk/volunteering
