John Churchill Biography

Sees the year's offensive frustrated by poor weather and manoeuvring, preventing a major battle in the Low Countries.

Commands English and Dutch forces assembled in order of battle at the Allied camp near Bethlem before the Oudenaarde campaign.

Bruges returns to French allegiance during the 1708 campaign, increasing pressure on Marlborough in Flanders.

Marlborough and Eugene defeat the French army at Oudenaarde.

Moves quickly to bring the French army to battle.

Marlborough defeats the French at Oudenaarde and restores Allied strategic initiative in Flanders.

Uses Allied cavalry to envelop the French right at Oudenaarde, helping force Vendome's army into retreat.

Writes from the camp at Oudenaarde to report the Allied victory won on the previous day.

Marlborough supports the siege of Lille to weaken the principal French fortress system in Flanders.

The Allied siege operations against Lille begin after the victory at Oudenaarde.

The citadel of Lille surrenders after the prolonged Allied siege.

Ghent surrenders to the Allies at the end of Marlborough's 1708 campaign.

Marlborough is involved in Allied diplomacy as peace terms with Louis XIV are debated.

Seeks appointment as captain-general for life, but officials find no suitable precedent for granting the office permanently.

Bruges returns to Allied control as French troops withdraw after the recovery of Ghent.

Supports harsh Allied terms rejected by France.

Marlborough opens the 1709 campaign by investing Tournai before advancing toward Mons.

Marlborough begins the siege of Tournai during the 1709 campaign.

The town of Tournai surrenders; its citadel continues resistance until 3 September.

Allied forces secure Tournai after a prolonged siege, opening another route through Flanders.

The citadel of Tournai surrenders after a prolonged Allied siege.

Marlborough and Eugene drive the French from Malplaquet in a costly Allied victory.

Wins a costly victory beside Prince Eugene.

The Allied investment of Mons begins after the victory at Malplaquet.

Allied siege trenches are opened at Mons after the Battle of Malplaquet.

Mons capitulates after the Allied siege following Malplaquet.

Marlborough supports the siege of Douai as the Allies continue reducing the French defensive barrier.

The Allied army invests Douai, beginning a siege that ends with the town's surrender in June.

Marlborough and Eugene take Douai after a long siege in the 1710 campaign.

Begins operations against Bethune during the 1710 campaign.

Allied forces capture Bethune while Marlborough continues pressure on the fortified approaches to Flanders.

Captures Bethune during the northern France campaign.

Begins the Allied siege of Aire, a major fortified position that resists until November.

Opens Allied operations against Saint-Venant while the wider army also undertakes the siege of Aire.

Saint-Venant is taken during the Allied sieges of September 1710.

Captures Aire during the late 1710 campaign.

Conducts his final campaign before dismissal.

Defends Galway and Tyrawly in the Lords, objecting to experienced wounded commanders being treated like offenders during parliamentary examination.

Marlborough manoeuvres through French defensive lines and opens the way toward Bouchain.

Marlborough outmanoeuvres Villars and breaks through the French Lines of Ne Plus Ultra.

Invests the lower side of Bouchain as the Allies begin encircling the fortress in view of Villars's army.

Marlborough begins the siege of Bouchain after crossing the French defensive lines.

The capture of Bouchain crowns Marlborough's final active campaign in the Flanders theatre.

Marlborough captures Bouchain in his last major victory of the war.

Sees the defeated French garrison march out as prisoners after the surrender of Bouchain.

Marlborough is dismissed from his commands amid political attacks and accusations over army finances.

Receives an official pass permitting him to travel abroad as political pressure encourages his withdrawal from Britain.

Sends a large sum of money to The Hague before leaving Britain, protecting family resources during an uncertain political period.

Leaves England for the Continent after waiting for favourable conditions to cross the Channel.

Begins the next stage of his continental journey toward Antwerp before travelling through Maastricht to Aix-la-Chapelle.

Is joined at Aix-la-Chapelle by Sarah and William Cadogan during his period of continental exile.

From continental exile, Marlborough and his allies oppose peace terms they believe abandon Allied gains.

The Treaty of Utrecht ends Britain's participation in the War of the Spanish Succession while Marlborough remains abroad.

Restored to the office of Captain-General under George I after returning from exile.

Passes through London amid a large public and civic reception after returning from continental exile.

Returns to London from continental exile after arriving at Dover on 1 August, the day Queen Anne dies.

Meets George I at Greenwich shortly after the new king arrives in Britain and receives a warm personal greeting.

Restored as colonel of the 1st Foot Guards under George I.

Restored as Master-General of the Ordnance under George I.

Continues as captain-general under George I, retaining the army's highest command office in his final years.

Becomes governor of Chelsea Hospital, adding responsibility for a major institution serving veteran soldiers.

Returns to continuing Privy Council service under George I after the Hanoverian succession stabilises his position.

Suffers a serious stroke that sharply reduces his political activity and leaves his health permanently impaired.

Executes his final will several months before his death.

Dies at Cranbourne Lodge near Windsor after suffering recurrent strokes.

His will is proved in July following his death at Cranbourne Lodge.

Temporarily buried in a vault in Henry VII's Chapel at Westminster Abbey.

His remains are moved from Westminster Abbey to Blenheim Palace in November 1744, shortly before Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough, is buried there.