 Villiers grew up mostly in London, where his father held offices of profit under the Crown.In 1617, Sir Edward was promoted to Master of the Mint, a post which gave him rooms at the Tower of London.On 23 June 1623, when his childless great-uncle Oliver St John (1559–1630) was created Viscount Grandison in the peerage of Ireland, the honour was made subject to a special remainder that it would be inherited by the heirs male of St John's niece Barbara Villiers.