1st Duke Of Marlborough Churchill 1704

How the soldier-statesman set an example of excellence and British military might that inspired his most famous descendant of all — Winston Churchill

- Frances White

Tliberty of the British Isles is under threat from tyranny in Europe. The country knows it can’t survive alone — it needs friends to form a mighty alliance. Churchill needs to act quickly and with great cunning to secure the relationships that will save the entire continent. His actions at this crucial stage will transform him into one of Britain’s greatest war heroes.

You might be forgiven for assuming this sorry scene took place in 1940, in the earliest stages of World War II. However, it’s 1702, the conflict is the War of Spanish Succession and the Churchill in question is actually John, 1st Duke of Marlborough. He was a man whose life would mirror and later inspire one of the most famous Britons in history. Churchill’s hero worship of John did not simply come from their shared bloodline — it was also down to a very intimate understanding of the pressures placed upon him.

John Churchill was born the son of (another) Winston Churchill, a Member of Parliament who had made the unfortunate decision to fight on the losing side of the English Civil War. Supporting the Cavaliers had cost him dearly and left his large family impoverished. It is believed that the Churchill family motto ‘Faithful but Unfortunate’ arose from this era. However, their fortunes did improve after the Restoration in 1660, and the young John served as a page to the duke of York — the future James II.