Buckingham: The First to Fall

Buckingham is the play's first victim. He is suspicious of Wolsey from the start (with good reason), and Wolsey moves to destroy him before he can make his suspicions heard at court.

His arrest on treason charges in Act 1 is Wolsey's most direct abuse of power. The evidence against him is obtained from a servant Wolsey has turned against him.

His speech at his execution, where he forgives his enemies and accepts death with dignity, sets the template for how the play's victims respond to their falls. Katharine will do the same. Wolsey himself will follow the pattern eventually.