1-152-508 - Ann Ronan Picture Library/Heritage-Images

John Churchill, First Duke of Marlborough (1650-1722), English soldier. Marlborough commanded the British and allied forces in the War of the Spanish Succession early in the 18th century. He won a series of victories over the French including Blenheim (1704), Ramillies (1706), Oudenaarde (1708) and Malplaquet (1709). A grateful Queen Anne rewarded Marlborough with a palace at government expense in 1704 after his victory at Blenheim, which the palace was subsequently named after.