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Things you might not know about Blenheim Palace – ‘the real Downton Abbey’
Steeped in history, Blenheim Palace is today one of the most popular tourist attractions in the UK. Considered by many to be ‘the real Downton Abbey’, Blenheim was built in the early 18th century as a gift to John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, from Queen Anne in thanks for his victory at the battle of Blenheim on 13 August 1704
Blenheim Palace was the birthplace of Winston Churchill and later served as a convalescence hospital during the First World War.
Blenheim Palace was built in the early 18th century to celebrate the victory over the French in the War of the Spanish Succession (1701–14), a conflict between European powers – including a divided Spain – over who had the right to succeed Charles II as king of the country. The palace was a gift to John Churchill, the first Duke of Marlborough, the military commander who led the Allied forces in the battle of Blenheim on 13 August 1704.
Blenheim Palace was built after Queen Anne granted John Churchill’s family the ruined royal manor and park at Woodstock in west Oxfordshire. She also dedicated funds – thought to be £240,000 – to build the country house to commemorate his achievements.
Blenheim Palace is the only non-royal, non-episcopal [not pertaining to the Episcopal church or system] country house in England to hold the title of palace.
It is an example of 18th-century Baroque architecture – that is, an exuberant and luxurious building style that originates in late 16th-century Italy.
Sir Winston Churchill was born at the palace on 30 November 1874. He spent much of his childhood there, both before he went to school and during school holidays. But, the National Churchill Museum explains: “In the custom of the day, he was raised by a nanny and sent to boarding schools. It was a lonely and hard life for a sensitive and imaginative child.” Churchill proposed to his wife, Clementine Hozier, in the Temple of Diana summerhouse in the palace gardens on 11 August 1908. He is quoted as having said: “At Blenheim I took two very important decisions; to be born and to marry. I am content with the decision I took on both occasions.”
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