Sarah Churchill, Duchess Of Marlborough

Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough, Princess of Mindelheim, Countess of Nellenburg (née Jenyns, with the surname often spelled Jennings in modern references), was born on 5 June 1660 (Old Style calendar) and died on 18 October 1744. She was an English courtier known for her influence within the royal court of Great Britain, primarily through her close relationship with Queen Anne.

Early Life and Family Background:

Sarah Jennings was likely born at Holywell House in St Albans, Hertfordshire. Her father was Richard Jennings (or Jenyns), a Member of Parliament, and her mother was Frances Thornhurst, daughter of Susanna Temple, a maid of honour to Anne of Denmark. Her paternal grandfather was Sir John Jennings. Her uncle, Martin Lister, was notable as a naturalist. In 1664, her sister, Frances Jennings, was appointed maid of honour to Anne Hyde, Duchess of York. Although Frances was compelled to relinquish her position due to her marriage to a Catholic, the Jennings family maintained a connection to the court.

Court and Marriage:

In 1673, Sarah entered court service as a maid of honour to Queen Mary of Modena, the wife of James, Duke of York. Around 1675, she developed a close friendship with Princess Anne, the daughter of James II. At age 15, she met John Churchill, who was ten years her senior and who would later become the 1st Duke of Marlborough. Churchill had previously been involved with Barbara Palmer, Duchess of Cleveland, a mistress of King Charles II, and was facing financial difficulties. Both Sarah and John Churchill faced familial disapproval over their marriage, which they conducted secretly in the winter of 1677–78.

Marriage and Family:

The marriage was kept private initially, only announced to close family and friends to preserve Sarah’s court position. When she became pregnant, her marriage was publicly announced on 1 October 1678. Their first child, Harriet, was born the same year, but she died in infancy. During the exile of James II to Scotland amid religious tensions, the Churchills accompanied him. John Churchill was elevated to the peerage as Baron Churchill of Eyemouth, and Sarah thereafter held the title Lady Churchill. The couple had five children who survived to adulthood: Henrietta Churchill (later Duchess of Marlborough), Lady Anne Churchill, John Churchill (Marquess of Blandford), Elizabeth, and Mary.

Political Involvement:

The early reign of James II was marked by attempts at religious reform that caused widespread dissent. The birth of James II’s Catholic son, Prince James Francis Edward, in 1688, prompted opposition from political figures allied with William of Orange. Sarah Churchill, aligned with the Whigs and close to Princess Anne, played a role during this period, notably aiding Anne’s escape from Whitehall house arrest during William’s invasion. Churchill’s actions may have been motivated by self-preservation, as supporting the invasion aligned with her and her family's political interests and survival.

Reign of William III and Mary II:

Following William of Orange’s successful invasion and James II’s flight to France, Sarah Churchill’s position at court became strained. William and Mary awarded her husband the title Earl of Marlborough, but their influence waned, especially given that the Earl of Marlborough had previously supported James II. The Countess of Marlborough remained influential in shaping political alliances, notably supporting efforts to secure a parliamentary annuity for Princess Anne, which caused further tensions with Queen Mary. Queen Mary responded by removing her from court lodgings at Whitehall, and Anne and Sarah Churchill left court for a period.

Later Life:

Over time, Sarah Churchill engaged in notable disputes with prominent figures, including her daughter Henrietta, architect John Vanbrugh, Prime Minister Robert Walpole, King George II, and Queen Caroline. She inherited substantial wealth from the Marlborough trust, making her one of the wealthiest women in Europe at her death. Sarah Churchill passed away in 1744 at the age of 84.