The second creation of the dukedom was in 1623 for George Villiers, a favourite of James I of England. He had previously been made "Baron Whaddon", of Whaddon in the County of Buckingham, and "Viscount Villiers" in 1616, then "Earl of Buckingham" in 1617, then "Marquess of Buckingham" in 1618 until he was also created "Earl of Coventry" and "Duke of Buckingham" in 1623. Buckingham, who continued in office as chief minister into the reign of James's son, Charles I, was responsible for a policy of war against Spain and France. In 1628 he was assassinated by John Felton, a disgruntled army officer who had served under him, as he prepared an expedition to relieve the Huguenots of La Rochelle.