Duke of Marlborough facts for kids

The entrance of Blenheim Palace.

Duke of Marlborough is a title in the Peerage of England. It was created by Queen Anne in 1702 for John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough. The name of the dukedom refers to Marlborough in Wiltshire. It is the only current dukedom in the Peerages of England, Great Britain or the United Kingdom that can pass to a woman and through a woman. The family have long been involved with the politics of the day. They are also famous for their traditional home which is Blenheim Palace. This is the only non-royal palace in the United Kingdom. The family still live at the palace. The duke is entitled to the style of address of Your Grace.

List of Dukes

1. John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough. (1650–1722), soldier and statesman.
2. Henrietta Godolphin, 2nd Duchess of Marlborough (1681–1733), eldest daughter of the 1st Duke, succeeded her father by Act of Parliament (1706).
3. Charles Spencer, 3rd Duke of Marlborough (1706–1758).
4. George Spencer, 4th Duke of Marlborough (1739–1817), elder son of the 3rd Duke.
5. George Spencer-Churchill, 5th Duke of Marlborough (1766–1840), elder son of the 4th Duke.
6. George Spencer-Churchill, 6th Duke of Marlborough (1793–1857), eldest son of the 5th Duke.
7. John Winston Spencer-Churchill, 7th Duke (1822–1883), eldest son of the 6th Duke and paternal grandfather of Winston Churchill.
8. George Charles Spencer-Churchill, 8th Duke (1844–1892), eldest son of the 7th Duke.
9. Charles Richard John Spencer-Churchill, 9th Duke (1871–1934), only son of the 8th Duke.
10. John Albert William Spencer-Churchill, 10th Duke (1897–1972), elder son of the 9th Duke.
11. John George Vanderbilt Henry Spencer-Churchill, 11th Duke (1926–2014), elder son of the 10th Duke.
12. Charles James Spencer-Churchill, 12th Duke (b. 1955), eldest surviving son of the 11th Duke.

The heir apparent to the Dukedom is George Spencer-Churchill, Marquess of Blandford (b. 1992). He is the eldest son of the 12th Duke.

Images for kids

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  The Drake home of Ash, in Devon, rebuilt by Sir John Drake, 1st Baronet (1625–1669) after its near-destruction during the Civil War

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  James, Duke of York

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  Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough; attributed to Godfrey Kneller

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  The Marlborough family c. 1694 by John Closterman. On the Duke's left are Elizabeth, Mary, the Duchess, Henrietta, Anne and John.

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  Holywell House, near St Albans, before its demolition in 1837

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  John Churchill (c. 1685–1690) by John Closterman

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  King William III (1650–1702); portrait by Godfrey Kneller

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  Marlborough in his thirties, attributed to John Riley. The Star of the Order of the Garter was added after 1707.

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  Princess Anne 1683 by Willem Wissing. When Mary died childless in 1694 (O.S.), Anne, her sister, became heir apparent.

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  Sidney Godolphin, Lord Treasurer, Chief Minister and fellow Tory friend of Marlborough

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  Europe in 1700; Marlborough fought principally in the Low Countries.

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  Charles II, King of Spain (1665–1700), whose death triggered the war

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  Philip of Anjou proclaimed Philip V of Spain, 16 November 1700

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  John Churchill c. 1702

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  Marlborough writing the Blenheim despatch to Sarah, by Robert Alexander Hillingford. "I have no time to say more but to beg you will give my duty to the Queen, and let her know her army has had a glorious victory."

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  John Churchill, by Godfrey Kneller. This oil sketch shows Marlborough, victor at Blenheim and Ramillies, in triumph.

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  Marlborough at the Battle of Ramillies, 1706

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  Robert Harley by Jonathan Richardson, c. 1710. Harley became Marlborough's nemesis.

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  John Churchill, by Godfrey Kneller; late 17th or early 18th century

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  Marlborough's main battles and sieges in the War of the Spanish Succession. In the decade he held command, 1702–11, Marlborough fought five great battles and besieged and captured over thirty enemy fortresses.

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  Prince Eugene of Savoy by Jacob van Schuppen. Apart from Ramillies, Eugene shared in Marlborough's great battles in the War of the Spanish Succession.

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  Marlborough at the Battle of Oudenaarde, 1708

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  Queen Anne by Michael Dahl

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  Marlborough and John Armstrong his chief engineer, possibly by Enoch Seeman. Depicted discussing the Siege of Bouchain.

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  John Vanbrugh's Blenheim Palace. Begun in 1705, but plagued by financial troubles, this "pile of stones", as the Duchess resentfully called it, was finally completed in 1733.

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  Marlborough by Enoch Seeman. This late portrait shows Marlborough during his retirement possibly 1716/17 after his stroke.

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  Resting place of the Duke and Duchess in the chapel at Blenheim Palace

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  Blenheim Column of Victory on the grounds of the Blenheim estate, Oxfordshire

See also

In Spanish: John Churchill, I duque de Marlborough para niños