British history, 17th century, James I ( )

Sir Thomas Overbury was the friend (possibly lover) and mentor of Sir Robert Carr (later Viscount Rochester and Earl of Somerset), the favourite (read lover) of King James I and VI. He opposed the proposed marriage between Somerset and Frances Howard, Countess of Essex, which marriage necessitated the annulment of her first marriage to Robert Devereux. It is possible that he threatened to reveal Frances' lack of virginity, which, as the grounds for the annulment were Essex' impotence towards her, would have nipped that in the bud.

So Overbury landed in the Tower. Having been offered an ambassadorship, he declined it. This was the excuse (insulting the king!). But it appears that this may have been intended, as he was far easier to control imprisoned than abroad. He died in the Tower.

The circumstances of his death were not seriously questioned until about two years later, when Somerset was being supplanted in the king's affection and bed by George Villiers, and was not taking it quietly. An inquiry was made, led by the famous lawyer, Sir Edward Coke. Numerous small fry were netted, and ultimately the Earl and Countess of Somerset were indicted as well. They were both convicted, the Countess having plead guilty, but were ultimately pardoned by James.

White draws on primary sources, including records of the trials, to draw a picture of a not terribly bright Somerset hurtling towards his own destruction due to his stubbornness and arrogance. It is quite likely that he had nothing to do with Overbury's death, but that it was his wife's (and perhaps his father-in-law's) instigation. It is, indeed, even possible that the death was natural, as Overbury was trying to make himself ill to gain the king's sympathy and may have overdone things. But there does seem to be no doubt that Frances was trying to have him poisoned.

Of course, no one who was accused had any possibility of acquital. White points out that, as the king was the accuser, to acquit them would be to fault the king! They heard the indictment the day of trial, had no lawyers, hearsay and opinion was the chief evidence against them, and confessions were clearly coerced (psychologically, and, in certain instances, physically as well).

There was a great deal of general public interest in the case as well, and the Somersets and Overbury were the subjects of popular doggerel and broadsides, some of which is printed here. A far cry from the Eclogue and Epithalamion which John Donne wrote for their wedding!