Sarah Churchill: Difference between revisions
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Sarah Jennings (1660-1744) came from a gentry family just like her husband, the brave and great soldier of British history, John Churchill (1650-1722) she married in 1677. She went down in history as one of the most influential women for the close friendship she enjoyed with Queen Anne | Sarah Jennings (1660-1744) came from a [[gentry]] family just like her husband, the brave and great soldier of British history, [[John Churchill, First Duke of Marlborough|John Churchill]] (1650-1722), whom she married in 1677. She went down in history as one of the most influential women for the close friendship she enjoyed with [[Queen Anne]] (1665-1714), which was the main "source of [the Marlborough's] power" (Barnett 139). | ||
These two women, who were to play such a significant part in each others lives, met for the first time in 1673 when Sarah was appointed a maid of honour to the Dutchess of York, the Italian Mary of Modena at the age of thirteen. From that point in time, a close friendship developed, which became stronger as the two grew older. They referred to each other by names of merchants; Sarah being 'Mrs Freeman' and Anne 'Mrs Morley'. Princess Anne was not an outgoing and attractive woman at that time but sweet tempered, timid, and homely, exactly the opposite of Sarah Jennings, who was straightforward, hot-tempered, and ambitious. As a shrewd and hard-minded businesswoman, Sarah became a dominant figure in the Princess's life being the one Anne leaned on for support and political guidance and thus, exerting powerful influence over the Princess. She was appointed Lady of the Bedchamber to Anne after Anne's marriage to Prince George of Denmark in 1683. Six years later, under Sarah's orders, the Princess demanded a parliamentary annuity of £50.000 to gain financial independence from the joint monarchs William and Mary offering her the same amount from the Privy Purse. By canvassing among the politicians, Sarah got a parliamentary consent for her. The height of Sarah's influence was achieved when Princess Anne became Queen of Great Britain in 1702 as she appointed Sarah Jennings Mistress of the Robes, Groom of the Stole, Keeper of the Privy Purse, and John Churchill Master of the General, whom in addition was given the title of Duke of Marlborough. However, Sarah's power and influence over the Queen decreased when she, as a member of the Whigs, "set out to convert the Queen [,in sympathy with the core sentiments of the Tories,] to her own enlightened views" (Barnett 139). In | These two women, who were to play such a significant part in each others lives, met for the first time in 1673 when Sarah was appointed a maid of honour to the Dutchess of York, the Italian Mary of Modena at the age of thirteen. From that point in time, a close friendship developed, which became stronger as the two grew older. They referred to each other by names of merchants; Sarah being 'Mrs Freeman' and Anne 'Mrs Morley' [Source?]. Princess Anne was not an outgoing and attractive woman at that time but sweet tempered, timid, and homely, exactly the opposite of Sarah Jennings, who was straightforward, hot-tempered, and ambitious. As a shrewd and hard-minded businesswoman, Sarah became a dominant figure in the Princess's life being the one Anne leaned on for support and political guidance and thus, exerting powerful influence over the Princess. She was appointed Lady of the Bedchamber to Anne after Anne's marriage to Prince George of Denmark in 1683. Six years later, under Sarah's orders, the Princess demanded a parliamentary annuity of £50.000 to gain financial independence from the joint monarchs William and Mary offering her the same amount from the Privy Purse. By canvassing among the politicians, Sarah got a parliamentary consent for her. The height of Sarah's influence was achieved when Princess Anne became Queen of Great Britain in 1702 as she appointed Sarah Jennings Mistress of the Robes, Groom of the Stole, Keeper of the Privy Purse, and John Churchill Master of the General, whom in addition was given the title of Duke of Marlborough. However, Sarah's power and influence over the Queen decreased when she, as a member of the Whigs, "set out to convert the Queen [,in sympathy with the core sentiments of the Tories,] to her own enlightened views" (Barnett 139). In doing so, Sarah had shown a cold, disrespectful, and insulting attitude towards Queen Anne, which in the end led to her dismissal from office in 1711 and from Anne's affections for her. Anne committed her devotion to Sarah's cousin and her new favourite Abigail Masham instead. From that moment on, these former best friends never reached reconciliation. Until her death in 1744, Sarah Jennings dedicated the rest of her life to and superintended the building of [[Blenheim Palace]]. | ||
Revision as of 08:00, 12 June 2019
Sarah Jennings (1660-1744) came from a gentry family just like her husband, the brave and great soldier of British history, John Churchill (1650-1722), whom she married in 1677. She went down in history as one of the most influential women for the close friendship she enjoyed with Queen Anne (1665-1714), which was the main "source of [the Marlborough's] power" (Barnett 139).
These two women, who were to play such a significant part in each others lives, met for the first time in 1673 when Sarah was appointed a maid of honour to the Dutchess of York, the Italian Mary of Modena at the age of thirteen. From that point in time, a close friendship developed, which became stronger as the two grew older. They referred to each other by names of merchants; Sarah being 'Mrs Freeman' and Anne 'Mrs Morley' [Source?]. Princess Anne was not an outgoing and attractive woman at that time but sweet tempered, timid, and homely, exactly the opposite of Sarah Jennings, who was straightforward, hot-tempered, and ambitious. As a shrewd and hard-minded businesswoman, Sarah became a dominant figure in the Princess's life being the one Anne leaned on for support and political guidance and thus, exerting powerful influence over the Princess. She was appointed Lady of the Bedchamber to Anne after Anne's marriage to Prince George of Denmark in 1683. Six years later, under Sarah's orders, the Princess demanded a parliamentary annuity of £50.000 to gain financial independence from the joint monarchs William and Mary offering her the same amount from the Privy Purse. By canvassing among the politicians, Sarah got a parliamentary consent for her. The height of Sarah's influence was achieved when Princess Anne became Queen of Great Britain in 1702 as she appointed Sarah Jennings Mistress of the Robes, Groom of the Stole, Keeper of the Privy Purse, and John Churchill Master of the General, whom in addition was given the title of Duke of Marlborough. However, Sarah's power and influence over the Queen decreased when she, as a member of the Whigs, "set out to convert the Queen [,in sympathy with the core sentiments of the Tories,] to her own enlightened views" (Barnett 139). In doing so, Sarah had shown a cold, disrespectful, and insulting attitude towards Queen Anne, which in the end led to her dismissal from office in 1711 and from Anne's affections for her. Anne committed her devotion to Sarah's cousin and her new favourite Abigail Masham instead. From that moment on, these former best friends never reached reconciliation. Until her death in 1744, Sarah Jennings dedicated the rest of her life to and superintended the building of Blenheim Palace.
Sources:
Barnett, Correlli. Marlborough. Eyre Methuen Limited, 1974.
Jerrold, Douglas William. The Illuminated Magazine. Published for the proprietors, 1843.