A WORLD HERITAGE SITE
History of Blenheim
Blenheim Palace was built in the early 18th Century to celebrate the victory over the French in the War of the Spanish Succession. In particular, it was built as a gift to the First Duke of Marlborough - the military commander who led the Allied forces in the Battle of Blenheim on 13th August 1704. It was Marlborough who personally received the surrender from Marshall Tallard, leader of the French forces, following the battle. To honour The Duke’s heroics, Queen Anne granted his family the ruined Royal Manor and park at Woodstock, along with the promise of funds needed to build a house to mark the victorious occasion. In return, The Duke also ensured that the Palace became a monument to the Queen.
The building of the Palace was far from trouble free. The first problem was that The Duchess of Marlborough did not want such a grand residence - she hoped for a smaller country house designed for comfort first and status second. A strong-willed woman, she had many arguments with the architect, John Vanbrugh, and also fell out of favour with the Queen. For a short while, court intrigue saw the Marlboroughs forced to flee the country. The second problem was that the Royal funds for the Palace dried up. Building came to a halt in the summer of 1712, and eventually had to be completed at the Duke’s own expense.
Over the years, several Dukes have made a considerable difference to Blenheim Palace and its surrounding areas. The 4th Duke commissioned the landscape designer Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown and architect designer William Chambers to make major changes to the Palace, Park and Gardens. The 4th Duchess, meanwhile, built the almshouses in Woodstock. The family, in particular the ladies, have long shown concern for the needy, the 7th Duchess worked tirelessly to help the starving in Ireland when her husband was the Viceroy there. She also showed concern for the agricultural workers on the estate and built the school in Bladon. The 8th Duke was an innovator. He introduced gas, electricity, an internal telephone system and central heating to the Palace. The greatest impact on Blenheim Palace, however, was made by the 9th Duke. He created the formal gardens to the east and west of the Palace, restored the Great Court and replanted the entrance avenue and the Grand Avenue. In total, he planted half a million trees in the Park. Inside the house, the 9th Duke was responsible for a complete redecoration of the State Rooms, and added extensively to the Palace’s collection of furniture.
John George Spencer-Churchill, the 11th and present Duke, has devoted his life to the preservation of the Palace. He has faced a difficult task - balancing the needs of the modern day visitor with the necessity of maintaining a World Heritage site. He has said that ‘‘Although the Battle of Blenheim was won in 1704, the Battle for Blenheim continues in the unceasing struggle to maintain the structure of the building and to obtain the finance for the future.’’ The 11th Duke introduced the Pleasure Gardens, including the Railway, Maze and Butterfly House, and also set up the Churchill Exhibition in the Palace. He also restored his father’s private (secret) gardens in 2004, as part of the tercentenary celebrations of the Battle of Blenheim. During the Duke’s time, Blenheim has hosted music concerts, craft fairs and major sporting and charity events. In 2006, it also hosted the Duke’s very own 80th Birthday celebrations. The Duke invited everybody in Oxfordshire who shared his year of birth – 500 guests attended a wonderful tea party on the lawns outside the Palace. The Palace and its Formal Gardens were created a World Heritage Site in 1987. Since then, a great deal of restoration and conservation work has been undertaken. The Palace is in the process of restoring the Clock Tower in the East Courtyard as well as carrying out extensive dry-stone walling work in the Park. Visitors make an important contribution to the ongoing restoration and development projects, which are necessary to ensure the Palace, and its wonderful grounds, are preserved for future generations. Blenheim Palace is proud to be a member of the Treasure Houses of England – a collection of the finest heritage properties in the Country.
British artist Colin Gill’s 1928 depictions of the bright blue eyes of Gladys Duchess of Marlborough (née Gladys Deacon) stare down from the North Portico.
The entrance to the Palace boasts vibrant festive decorations.
The Great Hall
Much of the grandeur of the Great Hall is attributable to its soaring, 64-foot height. Flanked by tiers of marble pillars and archways to lead your gaze upward, the impressive hall epitomizes the triumphal spirit in which Blenheim Palace was built.
The Green Drawing Room
Nicholas Hawksmoor designed the ceiling of the Green Drawing Room, which was carved around 1724. The gliding was possibly put in later, by the 4th Duke of Marlborough, towards the end of the 18th century. The coat of arms in each corner date from the time of the 9th Duke at the end of the 19th century. The Carrara marble chimney has on the mantle two famille verte vases. The vases are from the Kangxi period (1622 – 1722). Two Buddhist Lions, Chinese 19th Century, flank the Louis XIV clock veneered with red tortoise shell and surmounted by a figure of Fame. It was made by Rabby of Paris (1655 -1717).
The red Drawing Room The Red Drawing Room has been used as both a library and a billiard room.Bronzes of Fame and Mercury by Coysevox (1640 - 1720) can be seen on the pier tables. Amongst the small bronzes on the mantlepiece is Ganymede by Soldani (1656 - 1740). Two Victorian giltwood banquettes or ‘chaperone sofas’ flank the chimney piece, designed to give courting couples ‘just enough’ privacy.
The Green Writing Room The Blenheim tapestry was commissioned by the 1st Duke of Marlborough and is an excellent example of the weaver’s art. It shows great detail and authenticity. The ceiling in this room is considered to be the finest of the three ceilings designed by Hawksmoor in the eastern suite of rooms. Known as the Hanging Ceiling, the corners show both crests of the Churchill family. The crests and the surrounding scrolls were added circa 1890. Above the fireplace is a portrait of Elizabeth Trevor, by Van Loo. She became the 3rd Duchess of Marlborough in 1733 with her husband Charles Spencer. Elizabeth is wearing the clothes she wore to the coronation of George II.
The SALOON
The Saloon was originally the grand reception room of Blenheim Palace. It is now the State Dining Room, used by the present Duke and his family only once a year, on Christmas Day. The decoration on the walls and ceiling, by Louis Laguerre (1719), is in oil and was completed in eleven months. Laguerre was paid ÂŁ500. The ceiling is painted onto a dome, about 5 feet 6 inches deep. It is an allegorical picture showing the 1st Duke on a chariot, holding aloft the sword of victory. He is being restrained by the hand of Peace.
A DICKENSIAN CHRISTMAS AT BLEN Step into a festive wonderland full of grand Christmas trees adorned with twinkling lights and exquisite decorations. Dickensian scenes will be brought to life as you tour the Palace to transport you back in time.
The grand Saloon table will be set for a Christmas feast inspired by the classic Dickens story ‘A Christmas Carol’, with some familiar Christmas scenes including the Victorian feast for ‘Tiny Tim’ and the Cratchit family. Grand trees in the Long Library will be decorated with lanterns and candles, along with displays of giant replica Victorian Christmas cards, and excerpts from Dickens stories within the library. Victorian carol singers will bring the magic of a Dickensian Christmas to life in the Palace.
There is also plenty more festive fun to be had by all this season with costumed entertainment, craft making, Santa’s Grotto, late night Christmas shopping, delicious seasonal food and our Living Crafts Christmas Fair! During the festive season our cafés and restaurants will be offering superb festive dining options and menus. The wonderful Palace shops provide a variety of Christmas gifts and decorations inspired by ‘A Dickensian Christmas’, as well as traditional Christmas foods, hampers, wines and champagnes.
NHEIM Palace
The Long Library The Long Library runs the length of the west front of Blenheim Palace and is one of the longest rooms in a private house in Britain. In former times, ladies took their exercise in inclement weather by strolling about in the room Vanbrugh described as a “noble room of parade or picture gallery.� Measuring 183 feet long and 32 feet high, the Long Library also contains an organ built by Henry Willis in 1891 - the largest organ in a private house in Europe. Although originally planned by Vanbrugh, the Long Library at Blenheim Palace is considered to be Hawksmoor’s finest room in the house. The ceilings remained blank as a result of lack of finances to make the library as elaborate as the previous rooms. Interestingly, in this showcase of English Baroque, the empty ceiling panels give the room a simpler appearance, more typical of the neoclassical or Georgian style of Robert Adam in the late 18th century. The Long Library has seen a variety of uses over the years. During World War I it was a hospital ward and during World War II it served as a dormitory for Malvern College boys. From 1940 to 1944, the clerks of MI5 filled the room with their desks and top secret intelligence work. Today, the Long Library is sometimes used for charity balls.
The Formal Gardens
The Park
With the picturesque landscape that appears natural but is in fact ‘contrived to pleasing effect’ including a huge 150 acre lake, Blenheim’s parkland has a great deal to offer. The lush greenery provides a stunning setting for the Palace, and promises hours of enjoyment and relaxation for visitors.