S01E01 The Chaste Nymph
At the court of Charles II, young John Churchill advances his career by serving the king’s bastard son, Monmouth, in the field of battle, and by bedding the king’s mistress, the Duchess of Cleveland. Young...
The First Churchills
Overview
The lives of the Duke of Marlborough and his wife Sarah, from their meeting in 1673 to the duke's death in 1722.
Episodes
S01E02 Bridals
In 1675 a masque was performed at the Court of Charles II at Whitehall. There the young soldier John Churchill, Groom of the Bedchamber to the King's brother, fell in love with a pretty lady-in-waiting,...
S01E03 Plot Counter-Plot
John and Sarah have married. Lord Shaftesbury has threatened Charles with rebellion. To appease his Protestant Parliament, Charles has arranged a marriage between Mary and the Prince of Orange.
S01E04 The Lion and the Unicorn
The rage against Popery in England continues. James, Duke of Monmouth, has become the protégé of Shaftesbury who plans to make him King. But Churchill has refused to support Monmouth. Charles has resisted all pressure...
S01E05 Rebellion
Charles has been forced to send James into exile and to dissolve his factious parliament at Oxford. The Princess Anne has married George, Prince of Denmark, and has chosen Sarah to be one of her...
S01E06 The Protestant Wind
Monmouth, the hope of the Protestant rebels, was defeated by John Churchill at Sedgemoor.
S01E07 Trial of Strength
John Churchill owed much to James II. But the King was clearly determined to destroy the Protestant religion and the laws of England, so John decided to support William of Orange and the Revolution of...
S01E08 The Queens Command
William III, with Churchill's help, has defeated James' attempted invasion of Ireland. John has been suspected of treason and dismissed from Court. Princess Anne has refused to obey her sister Mary and part with Sarah.
S01E09 Reconciliation
In an atmosphere of national panic John, falsely accused of Jacobite treachery, has been imprisoned for a time in the Tower. After Mary's death, William receives Anne at Court.
S01E10 A Famous Victory
Before he died William III recognised Marlborough as his successor in the task of defeating France. With the accession of Anne, John and Sarah have risen to a position of pre-eminence.
S01E11 Breaking the Circle
To save the Holy Roman Empire from French invasion Marlborough led his allied troops into Germany and defeated the French at the Battle of Blenheim.
S01E12 Not Without Honour
Marlborough continues his success in the war against France, but his prestige at home and with Anne has been impaired by the devious backstairs intrigue of Robert Harley.
Cast
Susan Hampshire
Sarah Churchill
John Neville
John Churchill
John Standing
Sidney Godolphin
Margaret Tyzack
Princess Anne
Alan Rowe
William, Prince of Orange
Roger Mutton
George of Denmark
John Ringham
Laurence Hyde
John Westbrook
James, Duke of York
James Kerry
James, Duke of Monmouth
