John Churchill (Duke of Marlborough) biography
John Churchill (Duke of Marlborough) history
John Churchill (Duke of Marlborough) facts
John Churchill (Duke of Marlborough) video clips
John Churchill (Duke of Marlborough) photos
John Churchill (Duke of Marlborough) story
John Churchill (Duke of Marlborough) discography
John Churchill (Duke of Marlborough) photographs
John Churchill (Duke of Marlborough) bio
John Churchill (Duke of Marlborough) info
John Churchill (Duke of Marlborough) curious
John Churchill (Duke of Marlborough) images
John Churchill (Duke of Marlborough) quotes
John Churchill (Duke of Marlborough) films
John Churchill (Duke of Marlborough) filmography

[h3]John Churchill was born to Royalist Sir Winston Churchill in the immediate aftermath of the English Civil War. [/h3]

His staunch support for [urlnew=http://www.thebiographychannel.co.uk/biography_home/235:0/Charles_II.htm]Charles II[/urlnew] of England paid off with the return of the king, and seventeen year-old John Churchill was appointed to the household of the Duke of York. Joining the navy, he remained at court for a while, but saw turns of duty first in the Mediterranean and in the last of the Anglo-Dutch Wars.

In 1674, Churchill married Sarah Jennings. In the years to follow he engaged in various diplomatic missions to Spain and the Dutch United Provinces. In 1685, Charles II died and Churchill's former employer, the Duke of York, became James II of England. James elevated him to the peerage, as Baron Sandridge.

Within a few months, the new king faced a series of rebellions, and Churchill was appointed head of the loyalist troops, then quickly subordinated to the Earl of Feversham. Churchill nevertheless distinguished himself during the fighting, and became an important figure in the army.

In 1688, William of Orange invaded England with the support of most of the nobility, Churchill deserted, and most of the army went with him. James left for France rather than fight. Churchill was named Earl of Marlborough as a reward.

With events leading up to the War of the Spanish Succession in 1701, Marlborough was put to use, commanding English and Dutch forces opposing the Swedish allies of France. When William died in 1702, Marlborough was reaching his peak.

William's successor, Queen Anne, was a close friend of Marlborough's wife, and he enjoyed the new queen's confidence. The same year, war with France finally broke out, Marlborough won a series of victories and was named Duke of Marlborough. He also beat the French at the Battle of Blenheim and Battle of Ramillies.

By 1708 he had had to fight a pitched battle against French forces once again, winning the Battle of Oudenarde. However, his relationship with Anne broke down and, by 1711, he was recalled from the Continent, accused of embezzlement, and sent into a brief exile.

Anne died shortly thereafter, and Marlborough returned to England and settled into retirement. He died in 1722.
John Churchill (Duke of Marlborough) biography



He and his wife Sarah have two building associated with them: Blehheim Palace, among the most grandiose in England, and Marlborough House.

John Churchill (Duke of Marlborough) biography




John Churchill (Duke of Marlborough) biography




Teen Idols Sunday Special
Join us this Sunday night for your favourite teen idols, including Scott Baio, Matt Dillon and Michael J Fox, featured in a back to back special!
Hugh Jackman and THAT shower scene...
Is People Magazine right? Is Hugh Jackman really the sexiest person alive? Well, yes. He talks to us about 'Australia', his new status as official sex god and slow-mo bathing in the Outback.
The Brat Pack: In with the wrong crowd
There's one in every school: the 'in crowd' everyone else wants to be a part of. But does membership of such a clique mean success later in life? Elli Lewis looks to the Brat Pack for answers to this age-old question.
'The Reader' Film Review
Kate Winslet, Ralph Fiennes and rising star David Kross star in this breath-taking, devastating meditation on guilt, justice and morality.
'Che' Part One Film Review
The legend comes to life in the first part of "Che", but the movie fails to go beyond this.
'Australia' Film Review
Baz's new sprawling epic might be copping a lot of flak, but there are plenty of redeeming features in his romanticised homage to the Great Southern Land.
'Twilight' Film Review
Hampered by some early teething problems, the film adaptation of Stephenie Meyer's hit teen vampire romance novel lacks bite, but will certainly find an audience amongst fans of the series.
Drew Barrymore: Growing Pains
Think there are moments from your past best left forgotten with all photographic evidence destroyed? Elli Lewis wonders how much worse it could have been if you'd been a child star...
'Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa' Interviews
Ben Stiller, Chris Rock and Jada Pinkett-Smith get together for an entertaining banter about their new film, family and on-set fun.
'The Secret Life of Bees' Interviews
'The Secret Life of Bees' boasts a stellar cast of women leads - with a side serving of Paul Bettany. Writer/director Gina Prince-Blythewood and arguably the most powerful US female producer, Lauren Shuler Donner, talk about their new movie, the difficulties facing films led by women - on and off the screen - and Hugh Jackman in 'Wolverine'.
'Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa' Film Review
An all-star comedy vocal cast including Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, David Schwimmer and Sacha Baron Cohen embark on another chaos-stricken adventure as their animal counterparts make an unexpected detour via Africa on the way back to the Central Park Zoo.
Michael Douglas: Mind the Gap
It's an undeniable fact that Harrison Ford has been an object of affection for teen girls the world over - but if you don't mind the gap, how to nab the older man? Elli Lewis takes Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones as a case study where age is no barrier to love.
The Film Trailer Park
It's a bumper year in the cinema and we have the trailers for all the hottest flicks on screens now and coming up in 2009, from 'Watchmen' and 'Star Trek' to 'The Spirit' and 'Australia'.
Celebrity Fight Club
From Dumbledore vs Gandalf to Bruce Lee flattening Jackie Chan teamed with Jet Li, BIO draws up a list of the ultimate on-screen clashes that we all secretly wish had happened.
'Changeling': Fact behind the Fiction
‘Changeling’, Clint Eastwood’s latest effort starring Angelina Jolie and John Malkovich, is based on the sad tale of Christine Collins, a woman whose son was murdered and replaced by another child in a horrific case of LAPD corruption. In this special feature, we will investigate how closely Eastwood stayed to the true story.
Leonardo DiCaprio: Beauty and the Bored
Upon seeing Sienna Miller or Liz Hurley pouting seductively on endless magazine covers, airbrushed within an inch of still being classified as human, one can’t help but wonder whether Darwin could see this one coming. It seems that the evolution of mankind has led to world where beauty can get you on a first class trip to the top whereas brains are the ticket to a desk job.
'Choke' Film Review
Adapted from another story by Chuck Palahniuk, writer of the sublime 'Fight Club', 'Choke' sadly fails to measure up, stripping away the darker themes which characterise Palahniuk's work.
'Changeling' Film Review
The latest offering from the Eastwood/Jolie dream team could have benefited from more focus, but it is a heart-rending and emotional tale with stunning performances from the whole cast.
The Brit Pack
On the search for what makes a very British movie, Mike Edwards looks at the actors, directors and genres which have defined British cinematic identity, and in turn, shaped the identity of the British people.
From Callahan to Bourne: The men who took on James Bond
With the release of 'Quantum of Solace' exciting the Bond fan in us all, Michael Edwards looks at those brave souls - from Harry Callahan to Jason Bourne - who sought to topple Bond through subversion, espionage or just full on head-to-head combat on the big screen.
10 films we love to talk about
2008 has been a year of majorly hyped film releases, but how many of them will you remember in 2009? BIO has pulled together a list of outstanding films which we still love to talk about years after their big screen debut.
Sir Roger Moore in Conversation
The man with the raised eyebrow, beloved star of the James Bond films, TV series 'The Saint' and countless other escapades of the big and small screen, discusses his childhood, career, UNICEF and the mixed blessings of grandchildren.
Jude’s Law: Love The One You’re With
In the immortal words of Sir Mick Jagger, ‘you can’t always get what you want’. So why is that we insist on peaking over our neighbours fences only to decide that their grass is a much better shade of green than ours? Perhaps a look at Jude Law’s infamous relationship with Sienna Miller can provide us with the answer.
'W.' Film Review
‘W.’ is a safe, feel-good look at the most powerful man in the world, but does however provide a compelling look at the private side of Bush, especially his relationships with his wife, mother, brother and especially his father.
‘Pushing the boundaries’ or ‘malicious and offensive’?
Brand, Ross and the answer phone message: a 'gross lapse of taste' or a taste of British comedy warped by the media?
Bad Boy Bond
We're all loving Daniel Craig's dark anti-hero of James Bond - but for how long? Can this 007 evolve into the quintessential charmer his predecessors so lovingly created?
Troopergate: A Question of Ethics
The ‘troopergate’ incident poses a massive threat to Sarah Palin's reputation and her presidential campaign. Elli Lewis asks whether it is representative of her past - and future - actions.
The Magic of Sir David Jason
As Terry Pratchett's 'The Colour of Magic' comes to DVD, we celebrate the life and work of national treasure Sir David Jason.
'The Baader Meinhof Complex' Film Review
The latest weighty historical film from Germany, 'The Baader Meinhof Complex' is a riveting drama which asks challenging questions about democracy, terrorism and conflict in the Middle East.
'Burn After Reading' Film Review
If there's a left of left-field, that's where you'll find this latest madcap comedy romp from the Coen Brothers. It doesn't quite manage to bring George Clooney and Brad Pitt face to face but Pitt and JK Simmons are the scene stealers from an outstanding cast.
Peaches and Cream
Think you have a bad case of sibling rivalry on your hands? Try competiting for the attention of mummy, daddy and the adoring public and press like the Geldolf sisters...
‘Frost/Nixon’ Film Review
An American president makes the mistake of his career, and in a fierce duel of wit and words, a British chat show host is the one to make him admit it. And Matthew MacFadyen strips naked and runs into the sea. What more can one want?
'Anvil: The Story of Anvil' Film Review
When you've poured 30 years of your life into something that hasn't paid off, do you keep going?
Breaking Up: The Jennifer Aniston Way
We've all suffered through a rubbish break-up (or three) but imagine doing it in the sharp eye of the public! Elli Lewis looks at lessons for us mortal folk as learned from our favourite celebs.
The Father of Fear – John Carpenter
Undoubtedly one of the most iconic film directors, John Carpenter belongs to a very particular class of filmmakers. His legendary status comes from having written, directed, edited and scored the music for horror and sci-fi classics such as 'Escape from New York', 'The Thing', 'They Live' and, of course, 'Halloween'.
Behind the Scenes of ‘Spooks’
Read what goes on behind the scenes in BBC's 'Spooks', with an intimate and engaging Q&A with crew and cast members, past and present...
Liam Neeson Interview
We caught up with actor Liam Neeson ('Michael Collins', 'Star Wars', 'Les Miserables') at the premiere of his latest film, 'Taken'. Read more inside...
'The Duchess' Press Conference with Keira Knightly
Promoting their new film, stars Keira Knightly, Hayley Atwell, Dominic Cooper and director Saul Dibb discuss life, sex and the woes of London real estate.
'Get Smart' Film Review
It's very Mel Brooks, which means 'Get Smart' hits the mark with a fine blend of updated concept and loving tribute to the original TV series.
'The Dark Knight' Film Review
The Dark Knight is a hell of a ride, not for the faint hearted.
Little Britain in Hollywood...
Sarah Barnard takes a look at the growing band of British exports to Tinseltown.

   

c
The Biography Channel is a registered trademark of A&E Television Networks | Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Contact Us | Advertise with Us

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z |