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John 1st Duke of Marlborough Churchill

  • Writer: noellb
    noellb
  • Feb 2
  • 5 min read

Updated: Mar 1

John, 1st Duke of Marlborough Churchill, was born into a family with a rich and illustrious history that spanned several generations, deeply rooted in the tapestry of British nobility. He was the second, yet the eldest surviving son, of Sir Winston Churchill of Glanvilles Wootton, Dorset, and Elizabeth Drake, whose lineage traced back to the picturesque village of Ash in Devon. Sir Winston Churchill, his father, had a notable and turbulent past, having served valiantly with the Royalist Army during the tumultuous Wars of the Three Kingdoms.


John 1st Duke of Marlborough Churchill
John 1st Duke of Marlborough Churchill

This allegiance to the Royalist cause marked a significant chapter in British history and resulted in heavy financial penalties imposed on him, which were a direct consequence of his political stance. As a result of these fines and the ensuing difficulties, the Churchill family was compelled to take up residence at Ash House, where they lived under the care and oversight of Winston's mother-in-law. The ancestry of John Churchill was equally remarkable and noteworthy, as he was a direct descendant of the illustrious Edward I through his daughter, Joan of Acre. This royal connection provided a substantial pedigree that further elevated the Churchill family's status within the ranks of the English nobility. Such a lineage not only underscored their noble bloodline but also highlighted the family's esteemed heritage and the weight of expectation that came with it. The intertwining of their family history with that of the monarchy enhanced the prestige associated with the Churchill name, establishing a foundation of honour and respect that would follow John throughout his life and career. As he grew, the legacies of his immediate family and distant royal ancestors would undoubtedly shape his identity and aspirations, propelling him into a future marked by significant military and political achievements that would leave an indelible mark on British history.


John Churchill, born on 26th May 1650 and died on 16th June 1722, was the son of Winston Churchill from Grandville Wootton in Dorset and Elizabeth Drake.

He was an English military general renowned for his undefeated battle record and exceptional tactical skills. Sir Winston Churchill once declared that John, the 1st Duke of Marlborough, was his true hero in battle and had his utmost admiration.


Husband to Sarah Jennings, they had the following five children:

  1. Henrietta 2nd Dutches of Marlborough Churchill, 19th July 1681 - 24th Oct 1733. m, Fransic Godolfin 2nd Earl of Godolfin had issue. Close friend and Business Manager to Queen Anne.

  2. Ann Churchill Lady, 27th Feb 1683 - 15th April 1716. m, Charles Spencer, 3rd Earl of Sunderland, had issue. She was Lady of the Bed Chamber to Queen Anne.

  3. John Marquess of Blandford Churchill, 13th Feb 1686 - 20 Feb 1703.

  4. Elizabeth Churchill, 15th Mar 1687 - 22nd March 1714. m, Scroop Egerton, 1st Duke of Bridgewater, had issue. She became Countess of Bridgewater.

  5. Mary Churchill, 15th July 1689 - 14th May 1751. m, John Montagu 2nd Duke of Montagu, has issue.


John Churchill and Sarah Jennings hailed from strong Royalist families, a legacy continued by their descendants. At the weddings of their three daughters, Queen Anne presented each with a generous gift of 5000 pounds.


The Marlborough Family
The Marlborough Family

Battles and Wars involving John Churchill:

Franco-Dutch War

Battle of Solebay, Siege of Maastricht.

Monmouth Rebellion

Battle of Sedgemoor.

Nine Years War

Battle of Walcourt.

Williamite War, Ireland

Siege of Cork.

War of the Spanish Succession

Battle of Schellenberg, Battle of Blenheim, Battle of Elixhein,

Battle of Ramilleis, Battle of Oudenarde, Siege of Lille,

Crossing of the Scheldt, Battle of Malplaquet and the Siege of Bouchain.


Ancestral Connection:


Ancestral connection:


Further reading:

The first Churchill, The Life of John 1st Duke of Marlborough, by George Malcolm Thomson.

John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, by Caleb Karges.

Marlborough, His Life and Times--Volume I, by Winston S. Churchill.

The Marlborough-Godolphin correspondence, by John 1st Dukes of Marlborough. 




Copyright © Noel Bond. Researched and written by Noel Bond, No written part of this Blog may be reproduced in any form, by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author.

 
 
 

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