Queen Anne and the Churchills
The Marlborough Wars That Lead to the Ascendancy of England
Anne came to the throne at a time of war. The military successes acheived by her friend and confident the Duke of Marlborough, elevated Britain's infulence to new levels
A Time of War
Anne, the daughter of James II, was last of the Stuart monarchs. She was a loyal supporter of William of Orange who succeeded James in 1689. England, under William, had been fighting the French in the wars of the Spanish Succession and when Anne came to the throne in 1702, the campaign continued under the inspired leadership of John Churchill, who was to become the Duke of Marlborough.
An Unfortunate Marriage
Prior to becoming Queen, Anne had taken little interest in politics. She was married to Prince George of Denmark who drank excessively and was described as a "crashing bore”. By him, Anne gave birth to seventeen children. The only one to survive infancy was William who died at the age of eleven.
John and Sarah Churchill
Anne had a great friend in Sarah Jennings whom she had known for many years. They were extremely close, corresponding regularly when apart. A contemporary described Sarah as looking like a mad woman who talked like a scholar. When Sarah married John Churchill, he was already commander in chief of the British forces fighting the French. They became two of the most powerful figures in the country. Churchill, like his illustrious descendant Winston, was an extraordinary man and a study of his life is well worth the effort. He excelled both as soldier and diplomat and was endowed with great personal charm. Lord Chesterfield said of him, "He possessed the graces in the highest degree...His figure was beautiful but his manner was irresistible, by either man or woman.”
Great Victories
France under Louis XIV was the super-state of that age and the smaller European countries united in trying to curb the extension of her power. In 1702, Churchill took command of the English led alliance opposing the French. Aged 52, he was nothing less than a military genius. His skillful deployment of firepower and tactical manouvering of large, combined armies, led to an extraordinary run of success. In a period of ten years he was victorious in every battle and siege - notably, Blenheim, Ramillies, Oudenarde and Malplaquet (1709.) With the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713 came peace and the springboard for England's rise as a colonial power.
Of enormous significance too was the Act of Union in 1707 which brought together England and Scotland to form the United Kingdom.
Splendid Times
Although Anne may have been rather uninspiring and dull, she was fortunate in having around her some exceptional men and women. This was the age of Steele, Addison and Pope. Sir Isaac Newton was hard at work and Sir Christopher Wren was supervising the building of St Paul's Cathedral. However, none of these eclipsed John Churchill, Duke of Marlborough who was amply rewarded for his success by gifts of land and the building of Blenheim Palace. But the great friendship that had been so significant in former times, came to an end.
An Unhappy Conclusion
Following a series of indiscretions, Sarah was dismissed from Court in disgrace. Political intrigue and allegations of embezzlement drove Marlborough abroad and he lived in Holland until Anne died in 1714 aged 49. Yet nothing could diminish the brilliance of his achievements as Anne's Commander in Chief.
Sources
Great Britons - BBC Publications 1978
The Island Race - Winston Churchill - Cassell, 1964
