John Churchill, Marquess of Blandford facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Marquess of Blandford
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Detail of a portrait by the studio of Sir Godfrey Kneller, ca. 1698.
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| Born | 13 February 1686 |
| Died | 20 February 1703 (aged 17) King's College, Cambridge |
| Tenure | 14 December 1702 – 1703 |
| Parents | John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough |
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John Churchill, Marquess of Blandford (born February 13, 1686 – died February 20, 1703) was a young British nobleman. He was the only son of John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, a famous general, and Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough, a close friend of Queen Anne.
John was the heir apparent, meaning he was next in line to inherit his father's important title, the Dukedom of Marlborough. Sadly, John died without having any children in 1703. When his father passed away in 1722, the Dukedom went to John's older sister, Lady Henrietta Godolphin.
Early Life and Family
John Churchill was born on February 13, 1686. His father, John Churchill, later became the 1st Duke of Marlborough. At the time, his father was already a skilled military leader serving the future James II of England. His mother, Sarah Churchill, was the youngest daughter of a politician named Sir Richard Jennings.
John was baptized in February 1686. His godfathers were Richard Talbot, 1st Earl of Tyrconnell (who was married to John's aunt) and Sidney Godolphin, 1st Earl of Godolphin. We don't know much about John's early childhood. His parents were not yet very famous, so not much was written down about him.
Becoming a Marquess
On December 14, 1702, Queen Anne gave John's father the title of Duke of Marlborough. Queen Anne was a close friend of John's mother. Before this, King William III and Queen Mary II had made his father the Earl of Marlborough. This new title meant that John and his sisters could use the title of Lord or Lady.
John's parents had only one other son, Charles, who had died young. So, by 1702, John was their only surviving son. Because he was the heir to the Dukedom, John was given the special title of Marquess of Blandford.
Education and Future Plans
In 1696, when John was 10 years old, he started studying at Eton College. He stayed there until 1700, when he was 14. John really wanted to follow in his father's footsteps and become a soldier. He hoped to join his father's army.
However, his mother was worried about the dangers of a military career. She wanted to make sure that the Dukedom could be passed down through a male heir. So, in 1700, John was sent to King's College at the University of Cambridge to continue his education.
John was very close to his godfather, the Earl of Godolphin. He often visited him, traveling from Cambridge to Newmarket. A nobleman named Thomas Bruce, 2nd Earl of Ailesbury described John as "the finest young man that could be seen."
A Sad Loss
In early 1703, when John was 17, he became sick with smallpox. This was a very dangerous disease at the time. His mother, the Duchess, quickly rushed to be with him. Queen Anne also sent her own personal doctors to help John.
By February 19, news reached London that John's condition was very serious. Queen Anne, who had lost many of her own children, wrote a heartfelt letter to the Duchess of Marlborough. She prayed that "Jesus Christ comfort and support you under this terrible affliction."
On Saturday morning, February 20, John passed away at King's College. His death brought his father "the greatest sorrow in the world." The Marlboroughs left Cambridge and went to their country home to mourn their son. Many believed John was his parents' favorite child. His godfather, Sidney Godolphin, wrote that John was "the most agreeable and reasonable creature that one can imagine for his age." After John's death, his father often spoke of his deep sadness. John's tomb can be found in King's College Chapel in Cambridge.
