Home > Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough

Sarah Churchill, née Jennings, Duchess of Marlborough ( May 29, 1660 - October 18, 1744), rose to be one of the most influential women in the whole of British history, largely as a result of her close friendship with Queen Anne. This came about some time after 1673, when she joined the household of the Duke of York (later to be King James II) and befriended his younger daughter; Anne was a few years Sarah's junior. They called one another by pet names, Sarah being "Mrs Freeman" and Anne "Mrs Morley". In 1677, Sarah married John Churchill, later to be created Duke of Marlborough, and they made a glittering couple. Churchill, though he had supported James, also had a role in bringing William of Orange to the British throne and was rewarded with an earldom.

Following Anne's accession to the throne, Sarah was made Mistress of the Robes and Keeper of the Privy Purse. She exercised great personal and political influence. However, the introduction into Anne's household of a politically aware rival, Sarah's own cousin, Abigail Hill (later Mr Masham), the relationship between the queen and her old friend deteriorated greatly. In 1711, both Sarah and her husband fell out of royal favor. Anne's death in 1714 restored their fortunes, but the Duke died in 1722 and never saw the completion of Blenheim Palace, the house built for him by a grateful nation. It was left to Sarah to oversee the remaining work, and she was often in conflict with the architect, Sir John VanbrughGodfrey Kneller's Kit-cat portrait, considered one of Kneller's finest portraits. Sir John Vanbrugh ( January 24, 1664? March 26, 1726) was an English architect and dramatist, best known as the designer of Blenheim Palace. He wrote two argumentative and o.

Close links with the royal family remained. In a move which anticipated the life of Diana, Princess of WalesDiana, Princess of Wales (Diana Frances Mountbatten-Windsor, nee Spencer) ( 1 July 1961 31 August 1997), commonly, but incorrectly, known as Princess Diana was for fifteen years the wife of HRH The Prince Charles, Prince of Wales. She was the mother of th (1961-1997), Sarah sought to marry off her granddaughter Lady Diana SpencerLady Diana Spencer is a name shared by several members of the Spencer family, an aristocratic English family related to the Churchills of Blenheim Palace. By far the best-known holder of this name and title was Diana, Princess of Wales ( 1961- 1997). (1710-1735), to Frederick, Prince of WalesJacopo Amigoni, 1735 His Royal Highness The Prince Frederick, Prince of Wales (Frederick Louis) ( February 1, 1707 March 31, 1751) was the only man of that name ever to hold the title Prince of Wales, and is best remembered as the father of King George II. The Duchess remaining friendly with the prince and his family, however, even after this plan had failed.

It has been alleged that the Duchess indulged in a lesbian affair with Queen Anne, although this has never been proven. In 20032003 is a common year starting on Wednesday (link will take you to calendar), and also: The International Year of Freshwater The European Disability Year Summary Perhaps the defining global event of the year 2003 was the Invasion of Iraq launched by the U, a Channel 4Channel 4 is a television broadcaster in the United Kingdom (see British television), launched on November 2, 1982. Like the BBC, it has a public service remit and is operated by a non-profit corporation, Channel 4 Television Corporation. Unlike the BBC, documentary on British Television reignited these rumours.

Sarah Churchill could also refer to Sarah Millicent Hermione Churchill, the daughter of Sir Winston Churchill and a descendant of the original Sarah.