John Churchill Biography and Timeline — Page 2

Family Estate Succession

Succeeds his father, Sir Winston Churchill, after the elder Churchill's death in 1688.

Churchill Supports Protestant Succession Change

Churchill's decision to join William of Orange weakened James II's military position during the Glorious Revolution.

Privy Council

Appointed to the Privy Council before his elevation to the earldom.

Royal Bedchamber Appointment

Returns to court office as a gentleman of the bedchamber under William III.

Role range: 1689-1692

Earl of Marlborough

Created Earl of Marlborough by William III.

Peerage

Created Earl of Marlborough by William III

Role range: 1722

Introduction to House of Lords

Is formally introduced into the House of Lords four days after becoming Earl of Marlborough.

Proxy to Shrewsbury

Registers a parliamentary proxy with the Earl of Shrewsbury before leaving for military service abroad.

English Contingent at Walcourt

Churchill leads the English contingent serving in Waldeck's Allied army at Walcourt.

Role range: 1688-1697

Battle of Walcourt

Commands the English contingent whose attack helps defeat the French at Walcourt.

Role range: 1688-1697

Return from Flanders

Returns to England from campaign service in Flanders as the parliamentary session continues.

Privy Council

Appointed to the Privy Council under William III

Role range: 1722

Churchill Leads English Troops At Walcourt

Churchill directed the English contingent during an Allied victory over French forces at Walcourt.

Royal Supper at Shrewsbury's

Dines with William III at Shrewsbury's house during efforts to improve relations with influential peers.

Lords Teller on Royal Travel

Acts as a teller in a Lords division concerning whether the king should seek parliamentary advice before travelling to Scotland or Ireland.

Council of Nine Meetings

Participates regularly in meetings of the senior council advising Queen Mary during William III's absence.

Departure for Irish Expedition

Leaves London for Portsmouth to take command of the expedition that will operate against Jacobite-held Cork and Kinsale.

Return to House after Ireland

Returns to the House of Lords after completing his successful expedition to southern Ireland.

Dissent on Servant Protections

Records a dissent against a Lords resolution allowing written protections for menial servants.

Cork and Kinsale Campaign

Leads the 1690 expedition that captures Cork and then Kinsale in Ireland.

Churchill Takes Cork From Jacobites

Churchill's expedition secured Cork during the Williamite war in Ireland.

Churchill Captures Kinsale Positions

Following Cork, Churchill's troops took the fortified positions at Kinsale from Jacobite defenders.

Princess Anne Reconciliation Effort

Helps persuade Princess Anne to write a conciliatory letter to her exiled father, James II.

Norfolk Divorce Bill Dissent

Dissents from the Lords decision to receive the Duke of Norfolk's divorce bill.

Dismissal from Royal Offices

William III abruptly removes Marlborough from his royal and military offices amid distrust and political tensions.

Proxy to Godolphin

Registers his parliamentary proxy with Sidney Godolphin while continuing to attend the Lords during the session.

Arrest of John Churchill

Committed to the Tower in May on a high-treason accusation arising from a fabricated Jacobite plot.

Churchill Released From Tower Detention

Churchill left the Tower of London after accusations of treason failed to result in a conviction.

Return for Lords Session

Attends the opening of the 1693-94 parliamentary session after the previous year's political disgrace.

Triennial Bill Teller

Acts as a teller during a division on the Triennial Bill.

Definition of Parliamentary Session

Supports an amendment clarifying that a parliamentary session exists even when no act or judgment is passed.

Bridgeman Petition Motion

Moves that petitioners in the Bridgeman versus Holt dispute be allowed to withdraw their petition after reaching an agreement.

Conference on Naval Admirals

Is named to manage a parliamentary conference examining council proceedings concerning the previous summer's fleet commanders.

Adjournment Proposal

Suggests that the Lords adjourn until they receive a more satisfactory royal answer concerning naval affairs.

Treason Trials Reform Support

Speaks in support of Commons proposals to reform the procedure governing treason trials.

Small Tithes Conference

Is appointed to manage a conference on legislation intended to simplify recovery of small tithes.

Agney Estate Settlement

Executes a settlement placing Sarah's Agney estate in trustees so that it remains for her separate use.

Offer of Military Service

Offers his military services to William III through the Earl of Shrewsbury, but the king declines to employ him.

Royal Reconciliation Gesture

Kisses William III's hand as his gradual political rehabilitation gains momentum.

Cooke Inquiry Joint Committee

Is elected to the joint parliamentary committee investigating Sir Thomas Cooke and East India Company affairs.