In reality, George Villiers, 1st Duke of Buckingham (28 August 1592 - 23 August 1628) was indeed assassinated in a similar fashion, but by a disgruntled army officer who was wounded in one Villiers military campaigns and not by his deceived protestant manservant. Also, there were claims (or slanders) that the Duke was the lover of his close friend and then king, James I of England, and not the Queen of France.