Sarah Churchill Duchess of Marlborough

May 12, 2003
Sarah Churchill (1660–1744) famously feuded with just about everyone: kings and queens, family members, prominent politicians. In her lifetime, she was vilified in the press by such writers as Jonathan Swift for her "undue" influence over Queen Anne, for her alleged domination of her famous husband and for her legendary ability to hold a grudge. Sarah came from humble origins. As a young servant at the court of Charles II, she met Princess Anne, with whom she developed a passionate relationship; they may even have been lovers, as the Oxford-educated Field tells it. At court, Sarah also met her husband, John Churchill, later duke of Marlborough and one of the 18th century's greatest generals. Sarah exerted great influence, especially after Anne became queen and the duke a national hero. Shortly into Anne's reign, Sarah feuded with the queen: Anne sided with the Tories, while Sarah was a committed Whig. Moreover, Anne turned to a new favorite, Abigail Masham. After their falling out, Sarah threatened to expose the queen's impassioned letters to her. By the end of Anne's reign, both Sarah and her husband had been dismissed from the court. Sarah lived out her life quarreling with her children and grandchildren, as well as with Prime Minister Robert Walpole, and writing her memoirs in self-vindication. In her first book, Field has penned a balanced if at times unfocused and sprawling biography that attempts to look dispassionately at a tempestuous life. 16 pages of color illus. not seen by PW.