Blenheim And The Churchills

Every history buff wishes that walls could talk. In this first book ever written about Blenheim and the Churchills by a family member, Lady Henrietta Spencer-Churchill explores the relationship between one of history's most important families and its ancestral home. As though perusing a family album, she conveys the family's exceptional history and how each generation changed the estate and how it changed them. Momentous events that changed the course of history are recounted as family reminiscences. Blenheim was a reward from Queen Anne to the first Duke of Marlborough for saving much of Europe from the domination of Louis XIV, and instantly became the family's center stage. Sir Winston Churchill was born in a back bedroom to his American-born mother, Jennie Jerome. Later, he directed Britain's World War II efforts from its study. Blenheim has witnessed some of history's most colorful characters including the ancestors of the late Diana, Princess of Wales, and Consuelo Vanderbilt, the American heiress who conquered British high society.Widely considered England's finest example of baroque architecture, this is a rare glimpse into parts of the house never seen on public tours, and no history buff or visitor will want to be without this remarkable guide.

History has not been kind to Charles Richard John Spencer-Churchill, 9th Duke of Marlborough, or "Sunny," as he was known. This is because, as Michael Waterhouse and Karen Wiseman reveal, it was largely written by his first wife, the "dollar princess" Consuelo Vanderbilt. Not an easy man, their marriage was indeed an unhappy one. However, he was not entirely to blame for the unhappiness of his marriage to Consuelo; in fact, it would be fair to say that he was sinned against more than sinned. His second wife, Gladys Deacon, proved far too unstable to be the love and companion of his life. Though he needed love, he never found a woman who loved him enough. In The Churchill Who Saved Blenheim, Waterhouse and Wiseman give us the life of a man who lived through a time of great change and felt the responsibility of preserving his home, Blenheim Palace, and the way of life he knew. He was a quiet, well-educated, introverted man who took his role as head of a great estate most seriously. He cared for his tenants and his servants. To those he loved, he was loyal, generous, unfailingly helpful, and courteous, and when necessary, he was also that rare and valuable thing: a critical friend. He left Blenheim in a far better state than he found it. This was his greatest achievement. And this is his story.

"Blenheim Palace (/blnm/) (pronounced "Blen-im") is a monumental country house situated in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, England, residence of the dukes of Marlborough. It is the only non-royal non-episcopal country house in England to hold the title of palace. The palace, one of England's largest houses, was built between 1705. and circa 1724. UNESCO recognised the palace as a World Heritage Site in 1987. Its construction was originally intended to be a gift to John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough from a grateful nation in return for military triumph against the French and Bavarians at the Battle of Blenheim. However, it soon became the subject of political infighting, which led to Marlborough's exile, the fall from power of his duchess, and irreparable damage to the reputation of the architect Sir John Vanbrugh."--Wikipedia.

Blenheim and the Churchills

Lovell presents the epic story of one of England's greatest families, focusing on the towering figure of Winston Churchill.

The first book ever written by a family member about one of England's best-known dynasties, BLENHEIM AND THE CHURCHILL FAMILY is a unique record of the private life of the Marlboroughs behind the scenes of a great house. A palace in England that is also a family home, Blenheim Palace is one of Europe's most important pieces of Baroque architecture and a World Heritage site. Built by a grateful nation to celebrate John Churchill's famous victory of Louis XIV at the Battle of Blenhheim in 1704, this spectacular historical monument is also the birthplace of the Greatest Briton of them all, Winston Churchill. Packed full of previously unseen private photographs, paintings, and family papers and letters, Henrietta Spencer-Churchill provides us with the behind-the-scenes view of her ancestors' personal lives from 1700 to today. Moving through eleven generations of dukes, Henrietta reveals the scandals, debts and extravagances of her forefathers, as well as their additions to Blenheim.

This volume is presents an informative account of the history of Blenheim Palace and the Churchill family.