George Spencer, 4th Duke of Marlborough
The 4th Duke was quite a remarkable man. He was the first Duke to live totally at Blenheim. He inherited the title and estate at the age of 19 in 1758 and was Duke until 1817. He therefore had the time to make a difference at Blenheim.
He was a man of taste, vigour and money. As well as bringing in William Chambers to make important changes both inside and outside he employed Capability Brown who made major changes to the landscape and gardens. He created the views seen today and was responsible for the Lake, the Cascades, the Great Court and the South Front. The Duke was also interested in the latest transport developments sweeping Britain. He had an additional Cut dug from the Oxford Canal to the River Isis (Thames) to connect with his salt works. This considerably shortened the time taken by the usual route.
His wife, Caroline, was a leading light in society but she was also aware of her duty to help the poor. She had the almshouses built at Woodstock. Clive of India gave the Duke a tigeress. The tigeress lived in the Palace grounds in a specially built cage and there were regular orders made to the local butcher’s shop for meat. The records show that the tigeress cost the same as three servants to feed.
