John Churchill Biography and Timeline — Page 2

Capture of Saint-Venant

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

Role range: 1701-1714 – 1702-1711

Capture of Aire

Captures Aire during the late 1710 campaign.

Role range: 1701-1714 – 1702-1711

Churchill Forces Douai Capitulation

Marlborough's army captured Douai after a lengthy siege during the 1710 campaign.

Churchill Captures Bethune Fortress

Allied forces under Marlborough's command took Bethune during their Flanders offensive.

Churchill Takes Saint Venant

Marlborough's army secured Saint Venant, advancing the Allied line of fortified positions.

Churchill Captures Aire Sur La Lys

Marlborough's troops reduced Aire sur la Lys after a difficult siege.

Defence of Allied Generals

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

Ne Plus Ultra Lines Outmanoeuvred

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

Role range: 1701-1714

Passage of Ne Plus Ultra

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

Role range: 1701-1714

Investment of Bouchain

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

Role range: 1701-1714 – 1702-1711

Siege of Bouchain

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

Role range: 1701-1714

Capture of Bouchain

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

Role range: 1701-1714

Bouchain Garrison Leaves

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

Role range: 1701-1714 – 1702-1711

Bouchain Campaign Concludes Marlborough Operations

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

Role range: 1701-1714

Dismissal

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

Role range: 1701-1714

Last Campaign

Conducts his final campaign before dismissal.

Role range: 1701-1714 – 1702-1711

Churchill Breaks Lines Of Ne Plus Ultra

Marlborough successfully crossed French defensive lines in 1711 through skilful manoeuvre.

Churchill Besieges Bouchain

Marlborough undertook the siege of Bouchain, his last important continental field operation.

Churchill Captures Bouchain Fortress

The French garrison surrendered Bouchain after a difficult Allied siege conducted under Marlborough.

Churchill Dismissed From Army Command

Queen Anne removed Marlborough from his military offices at the end of December amid political conflict.

Continental Travel Pass

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

Departure into Exile

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

Funds Sent to The Hague

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

Journey toward Antwerp

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

Churchill Leaves England For Continent

After his dismissal, Marlborough went abroad and remained outside Britain during the closing peace negotiations.

Family Reunion in Exile

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

Treaty of Utrecht

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

Role range: 1701-1714 – 1702-1711

Opposition to Peace

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

Role range: 1701-1714 – 1702-1711

City Reception after Return

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

Return from Exile

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

Role range: 1701-1714

Meeting with George I

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

Colonel of 1st Foot Guards

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

Master-General of Ordnance

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

Role range: 1714-1722

Restored as Captain-General

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

Churchill Returns After Queen Anne Death

Marlborough came back to Britain as the Hanoverian succession brought George I to the throne.

Churchill Restored To Military Offices

George I restored Marlborough to important military appointments following his return from continental exile.

Governor of Chelsea Hospital

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

Role range: 1715-1722

Privy Council under George I

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

Role range: 1715-1722

Captain-General under George I

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

Role range: 1715-1722

Stroke

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