The Marlboroughs : John and Sarah Churchill, 1650-1744

The most successful British general until the advent of Napoleon, John Churchill, the first Duke of Marlborough, was also a successful, if devious politcian, and a commanding figure both on the continent of Europe and the English court from the time of King James II. King James' mistress was Churchill's sister until he married Queen Anne whose intimate friend, the beautiful, gifted, shrewed and difficult Sarah, was Churchill's wife.