Blenheim Palace medal (Winston Churchill's birthplace)
Dentuck
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Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire is the home
of the duke of Marlborough, and the birthplace
of Sir Winston Churchill. Its unique park was
designed by "Capability" Brown.
This commemorative medal measures 1-3/4
inches in diameter, was struck in nickel silver,
and bears a plain edge. One side features a
magnificent view of the palace, with laurels
surrounding; the other side features the ducal
coat of arms with dragons (actually wyverns,
from their appearance) passant, a crowned
shield covering a double-headed eagle, and another
crown dominating.
British Heritage paints a picture of this
extraordinary home:
"Blenheim Palace is a grand, imposing Stately Home, designed by the distinguished
architect, Vanbrugh, who saw it as a castle and a monument to Queen Anne`s glory
rather than a private home. However, the Royal Manor of Woodstock, and sufficient
funds to build a palace, were given to the Duke of Marlborough by Queen Anne as a
reward for his military victory at the Battle of Blenheim in 1704.Completed in 1722,
and covering an area of some 7 acres, this splendid residence built in the English
Baroque style presented a spectacular picture from all angles and at all times of
the day and night.
The Great Court allows a dramatic view of Blenheim as you approach the entrance, and
everything seen is highly decorative. Vanbrugh appeared to be very good at
incorporating the essential practical features into elaborate showpieces, and a good
example of these are the chimneys, sporting thirty foot finials rising from square
towers. The Great Hall is awe-inspiring, not only due to its immense proportions,
but for the magnificent Thornhill ceiling and richly carved stone. Due to a
disagreement between Thornhill and the Duchess, who always believed that she was
being overcharged, Thornhill did not complete the Saloon and the Long Library, and a
French artist was commissioned to finish the work.
There is so much of interest at Blenheim Palace, and no less so in the long vaulted
corridors running to the wings from the north and south sides of the Great Hall.
Every State Room is a glorious creation with elaborate ceilings, fabulous tapestries
depicting the Duke's battles, ornate fireplaces, and quality furniture. Words simply
fail to express the grandeur of the Saloon or State dining-room - even when devoid
of people, the room seems to be alive with the characters painted by Laguerre with
total realism. In the mid 18th century, 'Capability' Brown landscaped the vast
grounds of the palace, creating the Blenheim lake with its wonderful cascade,
building the Temple of Diana, and Gothicising various buildings on the estate.
Sir Winston Churchill was born at Blenheim in 1874, and proposed to his future wife
in the Temple of Diana. Throughout his life, and friendship with his cousin the 9th
Duke of Marlbourough, Sir Winston continued his association with Blenheim and was
buried locally at Bladon. The Blenheim standard is sent annually as 'quit-rent' to
the Sovereign at Windsor, a tradition that has been carried out to celebrate the
anniversary of the Battle of Blenheim on 13th August every year.
This classical masterpiece of Sir John Vanbrugh, set in over 2,000 acres of the
gorgeous gardens and parkland, has been a source of much admiration over the
centuries and, I am sure, will continue to be so for many more years to come."
+ + +
of the duke of Marlborough, and the birthplace
of Sir Winston Churchill. Its unique park was
designed by "Capability" Brown.
This commemorative medal measures 1-3/4
inches in diameter, was struck in nickel silver,
and bears a plain edge. One side features a
magnificent view of the palace, with laurels
surrounding; the other side features the ducal
coat of arms with dragons (actually wyverns,
from their appearance) passant, a crowned
shield covering a double-headed eagle, and another
crown dominating.
British Heritage paints a picture of this
extraordinary home:
"Blenheim Palace is a grand, imposing Stately Home, designed by the distinguished
architect, Vanbrugh, who saw it as a castle and a monument to Queen Anne`s glory
rather than a private home. However, the Royal Manor of Woodstock, and sufficient
funds to build a palace, were given to the Duke of Marlborough by Queen Anne as a
reward for his military victory at the Battle of Blenheim in 1704.Completed in 1722,
and covering an area of some 7 acres, this splendid residence built in the English
Baroque style presented a spectacular picture from all angles and at all times of
the day and night.
The Great Court allows a dramatic view of Blenheim as you approach the entrance, and
everything seen is highly decorative. Vanbrugh appeared to be very good at
incorporating the essential practical features into elaborate showpieces, and a good
example of these are the chimneys, sporting thirty foot finials rising from square
towers. The Great Hall is awe-inspiring, not only due to its immense proportions,
but for the magnificent Thornhill ceiling and richly carved stone. Due to a
disagreement between Thornhill and the Duchess, who always believed that she was
being overcharged, Thornhill did not complete the Saloon and the Long Library, and a
French artist was commissioned to finish the work.
There is so much of interest at Blenheim Palace, and no less so in the long vaulted
corridors running to the wings from the north and south sides of the Great Hall.
Every State Room is a glorious creation with elaborate ceilings, fabulous tapestries
depicting the Duke's battles, ornate fireplaces, and quality furniture. Words simply
fail to express the grandeur of the Saloon or State dining-room - even when devoid
of people, the room seems to be alive with the characters painted by Laguerre with
total realism. In the mid 18th century, 'Capability' Brown landscaped the vast
grounds of the palace, creating the Blenheim lake with its wonderful cascade,
building the Temple of Diana, and Gothicising various buildings on the estate.
Sir Winston Churchill was born at Blenheim in 1874, and proposed to his future wife
in the Temple of Diana. Throughout his life, and friendship with his cousin the 9th
Duke of Marlbourough, Sir Winston continued his association with Blenheim and was
buried locally at Bladon. The Blenheim standard is sent annually as 'quit-rent' to
the Sovereign at Windsor, a tradition that has been carried out to celebrate the
anniversary of the Battle of Blenheim on 13th August every year.
This classical masterpiece of Sir John Vanbrugh, set in over 2,000 acres of the
gorgeous gardens and parkland, has been a source of much admiration over the
centuries and, I am sure, will continue to be so for many more years to come."
+ + +
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