Blenheim Palace

The Green Drawing Room

The Green Drawing-room and the two rooms beyond it (the Red Drawing Room and the Green Writing Room) all have their original ceilings, which were designed by Nicholas Hawksmoor, Vanbrugh's collaborator. The portraits include two famous Knellers: the Mantilla portrait of Sarah Duchess of Marlborough and, over a door, Sarah again w ith another of Queen Anne's ladies-in-waiting, Lady Fitzharding, playing cards. The Romney over the chimney-piece is of the 4th Duke, while the Reynolds on the north wall shows his Duchess Caroline dancing her baby. On the west wall a delightful painting by Michael Wright shows Winston and Arabella, brother and sister of the 1st Duke of Marlborough. The elaborate pier-glass between the windows was made for the 4th Duke by William lnce and John Mayhew. The equally elaborate clock, mounted upon a black bull , is by Gosselin of Paris. George Spencer, 4th Duke of Marlborough, KG, LLD, FRS, was a lifelong friend of King George III. The 4th Duke succeeded to the dukedom in 1758 and was extremely active, with the help of 'Capability' Brown, in improving the groun ds and waters on a princely scale. His architects, Sir William Chambers and John Yenn added the Temple of Diana and the New Bridge near Bladon. Towards the end of his life the 4th Duke became a recluse and declined to receive Lord Nelson and the Hamiltons when they called in 1802. He died in 1817.