John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough
John Churchill was born on 26th May 1650 to Winston Churchill (later Sir Winston Churchill) and his wife Elizabeth. Sir Winston had been fined heavily by Oliver Cromwell at the end of the Civil War (he coined the family motto Fiel Pero Desdichado, Faithful but Unfortunate, which is still used by the family to this day). The family's fortunes took a turn for the better when Charles II was restored to the throne and in 1665, Winston Churchill's eldest daughter, Arabella, became Maid of Honour to Anne Hyde, the Duchess of York, joined some months later by her brother John, as page to her husband, James. This was the start of his brilliant military career which culminated during the reign of Queen Anne when he won the Battle of Blenheim during the War of Spanish Succession.
BATTLE OF SEDGEMOOR
John Churchill crushed the Protestant rebellion against the King.
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Following the birth of a healthy Catholic son to James II, powerful protestants at Court encouraged William of Orange to take the Crown.
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In 1702 William of Orange died and was succeeded by his sister-in-law, Anne.
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The Duke's eldest son died at the age of seventeen of smallpox while away at university leaving no male heir to inherit the title.
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