Buckingham's Man: Balthazar Gerbier, A Renaissance Man in 17th Century England

Buckingham's Man: Balthazar Gerbier, a Renaissance Man in 17th Century England by Lita-Rose Betcherman is a captivating portrait of a forgotten figure who moved at the heart of power, art, and intrigue in Stuart England. Balthazar Gerbier—diplomat, art agent, spy, architect, and courtier—served the powerful Duke of Buckingham and rubbed shoulders with kings, artists, and intellectuals across Europe. 

From the glittering courts of Charles I to the political undercurrents of the Thirty Years' War, Gerbier's life reveals a fascinating world where art met espionage and loyalty came at a cost. Drawing on rich archival sources, Betcherman brings to life a man of extraordinary ambition and talent, whose multifaceted career mirrored the complexities of an age in transition.

Part biography, part cultural history, Buckingham's Man is a vivid exploration of identity, service, and survival in a turbulent century—perfect for readers of early modern history, art, and political intrigue.