Privilege is often carved into walls and etched into the landscape.
Villiers Street is the pedestrian passage from the Thames embankment up to the Strand in London. It takes its name from George Villiers, the 2nd Duke of Buckingham who owned a large mansion there until 1672. The 1st Duke, his father, was famously fictionalized in Alexandre Dumas’ "The Three Musketeers" and infamous in history as the court favorite and alleged lover of King James I of England (VI of Scotland). The dukes amassed great wealth and their direct heirs were hugely influential in Britain until 1800 when that specific branch of the family died out.
But there were other influential Villiers, including the progeny of a half-brother of the 1st Duke. They too would be honored with titles and wield power. Most recently, Theresa Villiers was secretary of state for Northern Ireland and environment minister for Prime Ministers David Cameron and Theresa May.
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