Page 234 - WDT Magazine Egypt

fessional, I was surprised to learn of the tactical genius visitors can peruse numerous photos, manuscripts,
of John Churchill, an 18th century military hero on a par books, and mementos of his famous life, including
with Lord Nelson and the Duke of Wellington. letters he wrote as a child, as well as his artwork;
“And I was impressed that Blenheim Palace, com- some of his paintings were featured by Hallmark as
missioned by Queen Anne, was vastly larger in size Christmas cards. There are tributes to him from Ameri-
and acreage than her residence at Kensington Palace, cans--including a proclamation from President John F.
an obvious testament to the feudal rewards afforded to Kennedy giving Churchill honorary U.S. citizenship on
the nation’s military saviors.” April 9, 1963 (his mother was American).
Blenheim Palace--which includes the Great Court Tourists are amused to read a handwritten let-
entrance, an elaborate Green Writing Room, Red Draw- ter from Miss Charlotte Thomson, headmistress of
ing Room, and exquisite state rooms--is furnished with Brighton Preparatory School, to Lord Randolph, dated
Persian rugs, 18th century Chippendale chairs; silver March 16, 1888, when Winston was 14: “My worst fears
and bronze sculptures, marble; incredible, gigantic were realized. . .he has only scraped through.”
tapestries depicting the famous Battle of Blenheim; As Churchill, who died on Jan. 24, 1965, once
ancestors’ portraits on the walls; small, round tables commented of his beloved Blenheim Palace: “At
covered with framed black-and-white and color family Blenheim I took two very important decisions: to
photos, remarkable wall frescoes--and ceiling paintings be born and to marry. . .The cumulative labours of
(such as the 67-foot-high one in the magnificent Great Vanbrugh and ‘Capability’ Brown have succeeded
Hall entry, done by Sir James Thornhill in 1716 of the at Blenheim in setting an Italian palace in an English
first Duke of Marlborough kneeling in front of Britannia, park without apparent incongruity.”
showing him a plan of the Battle of Blenheim).
Its 180-foot Long Library, with over 10,000 books,
a white marble statue of Queen Anne, tables filled IF YOU GO
with family photos and framed programs and invita-
tions (to the coronations of King George VI and Queen Blenheim Palace: www.blenheimpalace.com
Elizabeth II; to the wedding of Prince Charles and Lady The Bear Hotel, Woodstock (within walking distance of
Diana; to Princess Margaret’s and the Queen Mother’s Blenheim Palace):
funerals) houses an 1891 Henry Willis & Sons organ, www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/our-hotels/macdonald-
which the 9th Duchess of Marlborough (formerly Con- bear-hotel
suelo Vanderbilt) liked to listen to after dinner. VisitBritain: www.visitbritain.com
In the Winston Churchill Exhibit within the palace, Photos Courtesy WikiMedia Commons
as recordings of his speeches play in the background,

234 WDT MAGAZINE SUMMER 2018