The Road Goes Ever On: Blenheim, 2009

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Blenheim, 2009

France and England were at war constantly, more or less, from the 14th century to nearly the 20th. The War of Spanish Succession was the early 18th century episode, when Louis XIV overplayed his hand by trying to grab both Spain (no heir to throne) and the Austro-Hungarian empire, and all the overseas trade. The Brits stepped in along with their northern European allies, and defeated Louis' armies at a place called Blindheim. The man of the hour was 54 year old John Churchill, a public servant mainly, whom Queen Anne had placed in charge of her armies. Churchill's administrative skill translated into military skill, and the Queen's armies were victorious. As a later Churchill observed, it was from this point that Britain stepped onto the world stage as a major player. Anyhow, the Queen rewarded the elder Churchill with lands and a hefty stipend and the title Duke of Marlborough. His wife was one of the Queen's confidants, it so happens, too. Anyhow, Blenheim Palace (Blinnum, the Brits say) is the result.

We toured Blenheim--truly a palace and, originally, a monument to one man--on a cold and rainy Tuesday. It terms of scale and opulence, it is quite the best we have seen so far. No interior pix, as usual, except one displayed above. Despite the wet and cold, we walked the grounds and gardens too.

Winston Churchill was born at Blenheim, and some of his formative early years were spent there. His father, Lord Randolph, was younger brother to the then Duke. Moreover, it was at Blenheim, in the Temple of Diana, that Churchill proposed marriage to Clementine Ogilvy. Consequently, Blenheim is in part a monument to Sir Winston too. He and Clementine are buried in a simple parish churchyard a mile or so from the palace.

We drove on to Kidlington, 4 miles north of Oxford, and parked for two nights on a quiet town square, just across from the Sainsbury's.