The Second State Room

Henrietta, 2nd Duchess of Marlborough (1)

Henrietta was the daughter of John Churchill, the 1st Duke of Marlborough. Sadly, both her brothers died when they were young, which was common during the eighteenth century.

Because there were no male children to inherit the title, Queen Anne agreed that Henrietta could become 2nd Duchess of Marlborough in her own right.

Louis XIV (2)

Louis XIV was the arch-enemy of the 1st Duke of Marlborough. Three hundred years ago he was the King of France and the Duke beat him at the Battle of Blenheim in 1704.

Louis liked to dance. Can you tell that from what he is wearing? He was called the Sun King and he was a very vain man. Which part do you think he was particularly vain about?