Duke of Marlborough (title)
Dukedom of Marlborough | |
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Baron Spencer (from 1733) Baron Churchill of Sandridge | |
Seat(s) | Blenheim Palace |
Motto | Fiel pero desdichado (Spanish for 'Faithful but unfortunate')[1] |
Duke of Marlborough (pronounced /ˈmɔːrlbrə/) is a title in the Peerage of England. It was created by Queen Anne in 1702 for John Churchill, 1st Earl of Marlborough (1650–1722), the noted military leader. In historical texts, unqualified use of the title typically refers to the 1st Duke. The name of the dukedom refers to Marlborough in Wiltshire.
The earldom of Marlborough was held by the family of Ley from its creation in 1626 until its extinction with the death of the 4th earl in 1679. The title was recreated 10 years later for John Churchill (in 1689).
History of the dukedom
Churchill had been made Lord Churchill of
In 1678, Churchill married
When Henrietta died in 1733, the Marlborough titles passed to her nephew
In 1817, the 5th Duke obtained permission to assume and bear the surname of Churchill in addition to his surname of Spencer, to perpetuate the name of his illustrious great-great-grandfather. At the same time he received royal licence to quarter the coat of arms of Churchill with his paternal arms of Spencer.[5][6] The modern Dukes thus originally bore the surname "Spencer": the double-barrelled surname of "Spencer-Churchill" as used since 1817 remains in the family, although many members have preferred to style themselves simply as "Churchill".
The 7th Duke was the paternal grandfather of the
The 11th Duke,
Family seat
The family seat is Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, Oxfordshire.
After his leadership in the victory against the French in the Battle of Blenheim on 13 August 1704, the 1st Duke was honoured by Queen Anne granting him the royal manor of Woodstock, and building him a house at her expense to be called Blenheim. Construction started in 1705 and the house was completed in 1722, the year of the 1st Duke's death. Blenheim Palace has since remained in the Churchill and Spencer-Churchill family.
With the exception of the 10th Duke and his first wife, the dukes and duchesses of Marlborough are buried in Blenheim Palace's chapel. Most other members of the Spencer-Churchill family are interred in St. Martin's parish churchyard at Bladon, a short distance from the palace.
Succession to the title
The dukedom can theoretically pass through a female line. However, unlike the remainder to
Succession to the title under the first and second contingencies has lapsed; holders of the title from the 3rd Duke trace their status from the third contingency.
It is now very unlikely that the dukedom will be passed to a woman or through a woman, since all the male-line descendants of the 1st Duke's second daughter Anne Spencer, Countess of Sunderland—including the lines of the
If that were to happen, the Churchill titles would pass to the Earl of Jersey, the heir-male of the 1st Duke's granddaughter Anne Villiers (born Egerton), Countess of Jersey, daughter of Elizabeth Egerton, Duchess of Bridgewater, the third daughter of the first Duke.
Line of succession
- John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough (1650–1722)
- Henrietta Godolphin, 2nd Duchess of Marlborough (1681–1733)
- Anne Spencer, Countess of Sunderland (1683–1716)
- Charles Spencer, 3rd Duke of Marlborough (1706–1758)
- George Spencer, 4th Duke of Marlborough (1739–1817)
- George Spencer-Churchill, 5th Duke of Marlborough (1766–1840)
- George Spencer-Churchill, 6th Duke of Marlborough (1793–1857)
- John Spencer-Churchill, 7th Duke of Marlborough (1822–1883)
- George Spencer-Churchill, 8th Duke of Marlborough (1844–1892)
- Charles Spencer-Churchill, 9th Duke of Marlborough (1871–1934)
- John Spencer-Churchill, 10th Duke of Marlborough (1897–1972)
- John Spencer-Churchill, 11th Duke of Marlborough (1926–2014)
- James Spencer-Churchill, 12th Duke of Marlborough (born 1955)
- (1) George Spencer-Churchill, Marquess of Blandford (b. 1992)
- (29) Lady Olympia Spencer-Churchill (b. 2020)
- (2) Lord Caspar Spencer-Churchill (b. 2008) 2
- (1) George Spencer-Churchill, Marquess of Blandford (b. 1992)
- (3) Lord Edward Spencer-Churchill (b. 1974) 2
- James Spencer-Churchill, 12th Duke of Marlborough (born 1955)
- Lord Charles Spencer-Churchill (1940–2016)
- John Spencer-Churchill, 11th Duke of Marlborough (1926–2014)
- Lord Ivor Spencer-Churchill (1898–1956)
- (8) Robert Spencer-Churchill (b. 1954)
- (9) John Spencer-Churchill (b. 1984)
- (10) Ivor Spencer-Churchill (b. 1986)
- (8) Robert Spencer-Churchill (b. 1954)
- John Spencer-Churchill, 10th Duke of Marlborough (1897–1972)
- Charles Spencer-Churchill, 9th Duke of Marlborough (1871–1934)
- Lord Randolph Spencer-Churchill (1849–1895)
- Sir Winston Churchill (1874–1965)
- Randolph Spencer-Churchill (1911–1968)
- Winston Spencer-Churchill (1940–2010)
- (11) Randolph Spencer-Churchill (b. 1965)
- (12) John Spencer-Churchill (b. 2007)
- (13) John Spencer-Churchill (b. 1975)
- (14) Edward Spencer-Churchill (b. 2008)
- (15) Alexander Spencer-Churchill (b. 2014)
- (11) Randolph Spencer-Churchill (b. 1965)
- Winston Spencer-Churchill (1940–2010)
- Randolph Spencer-Churchill (1911–1968)
- Sir Winston Churchill (1874–1965)
- George Spencer-Churchill, 8th Duke of Marlborough (1844–1892)
- John Spencer-Churchill, 7th Duke of Marlborough (1822–1883)
- George Spencer-Churchill, 6th Duke of Marlborough (1793–1857)
- Francis Spencer, 1st Baron Churchill (1779–1845)
- Augustus Spencer (1807–1893)
- William Spencer (1810–1900)
- William Spencer (1838–1923)
- John Spencer (1881–1952)
- John Spencer (1917–1967)
- (19) John Spencer (b. 1957)
- (20) Charles Spencer (b. 1990)
- (19) John Spencer (b. 1957)
- John Spencer (1917–1967)
- John Spencer (1881–1952)
- William Spencer (1838–1923)
- Charles Spencer (1824–1895)
- Charles Spencer (1848–1922)
- Francis Spencer (1881–1972)
- Francis Spencer (1917–1989)
- (21) Philip Spencer (b. 1966)
- Francis Spencer (1917–1989)
- Francis Spencer (1881–1972)
- Charles Spencer (1848–1922)
- George Spencer-Churchill, 5th Duke of Marlborough (1766–1840)
- Lord Charles Spencer (1740–1820)
- John Spencer (1767–1831)
- Frederick Spencer (1796–1831)
- Charles Spencer (1827–1898)
- Sir Charles Spencer (1869–1934)
- John Spencer (1907–1977)
- (22) Robert Spencer (b. 1944)
- (23) Edmund Spencer (b. 1991)
- (22) Robert Spencer (b. 1944)
- Charles Spencer (1909–1963)
- (24) Piers Spencer (b. 1963)
- John Spencer (1907–1977)
- Sir Charles Spencer (1869–1934)
- Charles Spencer (1827–1898)
- Frederick Spencer (1796–1831)
- John Spencer (1767–1831)
- George Spencer, 4th Duke of Marlborough (1739–1817)
- John Spencer (1708–1746)
- John Spencer, 1st Earl Spencer (1734–1783)
- George Spencer, 2nd Earl Spencer (1758–1834)
- Frederick Spencer, 4th Earl Spencer (1798–1857)
- Charles Spencer, 6th Earl Spencer (1857–1922)
- Albert Spencer, 7th Earl Spencer (1892–1975)
- John Spencer, 8th Earl Spencer (1924–1992)
- (25) Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer (b. 1964)
- (26) Louis Spencer, Viscount Althorp (b. 1994)
- (27) Edmund Spencer (b. 2003)
- (25) Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer (b. 1964)
- John Spencer, 8th Earl Spencer (1924–1992)
- George Spencer (1903–1982)
- (28) George Spencer (b. 1932)
- Albert Spencer, 7th Earl Spencer (1892–1975)
- Charles Spencer, 6th Earl Spencer (1857–1922)
- Frederick Spencer, 4th Earl Spencer (1798–1857)
- George Spencer, 2nd Earl Spencer (1758–1834)
- John Spencer, 1st Earl Spencer (1734–1783)
- Charles Spencer, 3rd Duke of Marlborough (1706–1758)
- Lady Elizabeth Churchill (1687–1714)
- Lady Anne Egerton (1705–1762)
- George Villiers, 4th Earl of Jersey (1735–1805)
- George Child Villiers, 5th Earl of Jersey (1773–1859)
- George Child Villiers, 6th Earl of Jersey (1808–1859)
- Victor Child Villiers, 7th Earl of Jersey (1845–1915)
- George Child Villiers, 8th Earl of Jersey (1873–1923)
- George Child Villiers, 9th Earl of Jersey (1910–1998)
- Edward Child-Villiers (1913–1980)
- (?) Edward Child-Villiers (b. 1935)
- (?) Alexander Child-Villiers (b. 1961)
- (?) Frederick Child-Villiers (b. 1990)
- (?) William Child-Villiers (b. 2003)
- (?) Alexander Child-Villiers (b. 1961)
- (?) George Child-Villiers (b. 1947)
- (?) Edward Child-Villiers (b. 1935)
- George Child Villiers, 8th Earl of Jersey (1873–1923)
- Victor Child Villiers, 7th Earl of Jersey (1845–1915)
- George Child Villiers, 6th Earl of Jersey (1808–1859)
- George Child Villiers, 5th Earl of Jersey (1773–1859)
- George Villiers, 4th Earl of Jersey (1735–1805)
- Lady Anne Egerton (1705–1762)
Mark | Note |
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2 | Issue from second marriage |
3 | Issue from third marriage |
Other titles of the Dukes
Subsidiary titles
The Duke holds subsidiary titles: Marquess of
The title Marquess of Blandford is used as the
The title of Earl of Marlborough, created for John Churchill in 1689, had previously been created for James Ley, in 1626, becoming extinct in 1679.
Foreign titles
The 1st Duke was honoured with land and titles in the
Coats of arms
Original arms of the Churchill family
The original arms of Sir Winston Churchill (1620–1688), father of the 1st Duke of Marlborough, were simple and in use by his own father in 1619. The shield was Sable a lion rampant Argent, debruised by a bendlet Gules. The addition of a canton of Saint George (see below) rendered the distinguishing mark of the bendlet unnecessary.[6]
The Churchill crest is blazoned as a lion couchant guardant Argent, supporting with its dexter forepaw a banner Gules, charged with a dexter hand appaumée of the first, staff Or.[6]
In recognition of Sir Winston's services to King Charles I as Captain of the Horse, and his loyalty to King Charles II as a Member of Parliament, he was awarded an augmentation of honour to his arms around 1662. This rare mark of royal favour took the form of a canton of Saint George. At the same time, he was authorised to omit the bendlet, which had served the purpose of distinguishing this branch of the Churchill family from others which bore an undifferenced lion.[6]
Arms of the 1st Duke of Marlborough
Sir Winston's shield and crest were inherited by his son John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough. Minor modifications reflected the bearer's social rise: the helm was now shown in profile and had a closed grille to signify the bearer's rank as a peer, and there were now supporters placed on either side of the shield. They were the mythical Griffin (part lion, part eagle) and Wyvern (a dragon without hind legs).[6] The supporters were derived from the arms of the family of the 1st Duke's mother, Drake of Ash (Argent, a wyvern gules; these arms can be seen on the monument in Musbury Church to Sir Bernard Drake, d.1586).
The motto was Fiel pero desdichado (Spanish for "Faithful but unfortunate").[8] The 1st Duke was also entitled to a coronet indicating his rank.[6]
When the 1st Duke was made a Prince of the Holy Roman Empire in 1705, two unusual features were added: the Imperial Eagle and a Princely Coronet.[6] His estates in Germany, such as Mindelheim, were represented in his arms by additional quarterings.
Arms of the Spencer-Churchill family
In 1817, the 5th Duke received Royal Licence to place the quarter of Churchill ahead of his paternal arms of Spencer.[6] The shield of the Spencer family arms is: quarterly Argent and Gules, in the second and third quarters a fret Or, over all on a bend Sable three escallops of the first. The Spencer crest is: out of a ducal coronet Or, a griffin's head between two wings expanded Argent, gorged with a collar gemel and armed Gules.[6] Paul Courtenay observes that "It would be normal in these circumstances for the paternal arms (Spencer) to take precedence over the maternal (Churchill), but because the Marlborough dukedom was senior to the Sunderland earldom, the procedure was reversed in this case."[6]
Also in 1817, a further
These quartered arms, incorporating the two augmentations of honour, have been the arms of all subsequent Dukes of Marlborough.[6]
Motto
The
Gallery of arms
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Original arms of the Churchill family
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Arms of Sir Winston Churchill, the father of the 1st Duke of Marlborough
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Arms of the 1st Duke of Marlborough, with quarterings representing his estates in Germany
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Simple arms of the Spencer Dukes of Marlborough before they changed their name to "Spencer-Churchill" and took the modern arms
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Shield of the Spencer-Churchill Dukes of Marlborough since 1817
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Arms of Winston Churchill (or any Spencer-Churchill) as a gentleman
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Arms of Sir Winston Churchill as aKnight of the Garter
Achievement
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List of title holders
Earls of Marlborough, first creation (1626–1679)
The earldom of Marlborough was held by the family of Ley from 1626 to 1679. James Ley, the 1st Earl (c. 1550 – 1629), was lord chief justice of the King’s Bench in Ireland and then in England; he was an English member of parliament and was lord high treasurer from 1624 to 1628. In 1624 he was created Baron Ley and in 1626 Earl of Marlborough. The 3rd earl was his grandson James (1618–1665), a naval officer who was killed in action with the Dutch. James was succeeded by his uncle William, a younger son of the 1st earl, on whose death in 1679 the earldom became extinct.[11]
Earls of Marlborough, second creation (1689)
- Other titles: Lord Churchill of Eyemouth, in the county of Berwick (Scotland 1682) and Baron Churchill of Sandridge, in the county of Hertford (England 1685)
- John Churchill, 1st Earl of Marlborough (1650–1722), became Duke of Marlborough in 1702
Dukes of Marlborough (1702)
- Other titles: Marquess of Blandford (England 1702), Earl of Marlborough, in the county of Wiltshire (En 1689) and Baron Churchill of Sandridge, in the county of Hertford (England 1685)
- Other titles (1st Duke): Lord Churchill of Eyemouth, in the county of Berwick (Scotland 1682)
- John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough (1650–1722), soldier and statesman
- John Churchill, Marquess of Blandford (1686–1703), elder son of the 1st Duke, died unmarried
- Act of Parliament(1706)
- William Godolphin, Marquess of Blandford (1700–1731), elder son of the 2nd Duchess, predeceased his mother without issue
- Anne Spencer, Countess of Sunderland (née Lady Anne Churchill; 1683–1716), second daughter of the 1st Duke, married Charles Spencer, 3rd Earl of Sunderland, predeceased her elder sister, leaving male issue
- Other titles (3rd Duke onwards): Earl of Sunderland (England 1643) and Baron Spencer of Wormleighton (England 1729)
- Charles Spencer, 3rd Duke of Marlborough (1706–1758), 5th Earl of Sunderland, second son of Anne Spencer, Countess of Sunderland
- George Spencer, 4th Duke of Marlborough (1739–1817), elder son of the 3rd Duke
- George Spencer-Churchill, 5th Duke of Marlborough (1766–1840), elder son of the 4th Duke
- George Spencer-Churchill, 6th Duke of Marlborough (1793–1857), eldest son of the 5th Duke
- John Winston Spencer-Churchill, 7th Duke of Marlborough (1822–1883), eldest son of the 6th Duke and paternal grandfather of Winston Churchill
- George Charles Spencer-Churchill, 8th Duke of Marlborough (1844–1892), eldest son of the 7th Duke
- Charles Richard John Spencer-Churchill, 9th Duke of Marlborough (1871–1934), only son of the 8th Duke
- John Albert William Spencer-Churchill, 10th Duke of Marlborough (1897–1972), elder son of the 9th Duke
- John George Vanderbilt Henry Spencer-Churchill, 11th Duke of Marlborough (1926–2014), elder son of the 10th Duke
- Charles James Spencer-Churchill, 12th Duke of Marlborough (b. 1955), eldest surviving son of the 11th Duke
The heir apparent to the dukedom is George John Godolphin Spencer-Churchill, Marquess of Blandford (b. 1992), eldest son of the 12th Duke.
Family trees
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References
- ^ a b Debrett's Peerage, 1876, p. 322.
- ^ "Family Lineage: Duke of Marlborough". Burke's Peerage. August 2004. Retrieved 6 August 2007.
- ^ "The first Parliament of Queen Anne: Second session - begins 3/12/1706 | British History Online". www.british-history.ac.uk. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
- ^ Blenheim. "Family Tree". www.blenheimpalace.com. Retrieved 24 June 2023.
- ^ "No. 17256". The London Gazette. 3 June 1817. p. 1277.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l Paul Courtenay, The Armorial Bearings of Sir Winston Churchill The Armorial Bearings of Sir Winston Churchill (accessed 20 July 2013).
- ^ William Coxe, Herzogs Johann von Marlborough Leben und Denkwürdigkeiten, vol. 6, Vienna 1822, pp. 297–8.
- ^ Robson, Thomas, The British Herald, or Cabinet of Armorial Bearings of the Nobility & Gentry of Great Britain & Ireland, Volume I, Turner & Marwood, Sunderland, 1830, p. 401 (CHU-CLA).
- ^ "The Armorial Bearings of Sir Winston Churchill". International Churchill Society. Retrieved 19 January 2023.
- ^ "Churchill's Motto". Churchill Society of London. Archived from the original on 6 January 2022. Retrieved 20 July 2013.
- ^ public domain: Chisholm, Hugh, ed. (1911). "Marlborough, Earls and Dukes of". Encyclopædia Britannica. Vol. 17 (11th ed.). Cambridge University Press. p. 737. One or more of the preceding sentences incorporates text from a publication now in the
- ^ Kate Fleming, The Churchills, Viking Press, 1975
- ISBN 0060585439.