Duke of Marlborough (title)
Duke of Marlborough is a title in the Peerage of England. It was created by Queen Anne in 1702 for John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough.[1] The name of the dukedom refers to Marlborough in Wiltshire. It is the only current dukedom in the Peerages of England, Great Britain or the United Kingdom that can pass to a woman and through a woman. The family have long been involved with the politics of the day. They are also famous for their traditional home which is Blenheim Palace.[2] This is the only non-royal palace in the United Kingdom. The family still live at the palace. The duke is entitled to the style of address of Your Grace.
List of Dukes
[change | change source]- John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough. (1650–1722), soldier and statesman.
- Henrietta Godolphin, 2nd Duchess of Marlborough (1681–1733), eldest daughter of the 1st Duke, succeeded her father by Act of Parliament (1706).
- Charles Spencer, 3rd Duke of Marlborough (1706–1758).
- George Spencer, 4th Duke of Marlborough (1739–1817), elder son of the 3rd Duke.
- George Spencer-Churchill, 5th Duke of Marlborough (1766–1840), elder son of the 4th Duke.
- George Spencer-Churchill, 6th Duke of Marlborough (1793–1857), eldest son of the 5th Duke.
- John Winston Spencer-Churchill, 7th Duke (1822–1883), eldest son of the 6th Duke and paternal grandfather of Winston Churchill.
- George Charles Spencer-Churchill, 8th Duke (1844–1892), eldest son of the 7th Duke.
- Charles Richard John Spencer-Churchill, 9th Duke (1871–1934), only son of the 8th Duke.
- John Albert William Spencer-Churchill, 10th Duke (1897–1972), elder son of the 9th Duke.
- John George Vanderbilt Henry Spencer-Churchill, 11th Duke (1926–2014), elder son of the 10th Duke.
- Charles James Spencer-Churchill, 12th Duke (b. 1955), eldest surviving son of the 11th Duke.
The heir apparent to the Dukedom is George Spencer-Churchill, Marquess of Blandford (b. 1992). He is the eldest son of the 12th Duke.