Queen Anne's letter to Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough, year 1703

Source:

Private correspondence of Sarah, Duchess of Marlborough: illustrative of the court and times of Queen Anne, volume 1, H. Colburn, London, 1838

https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=wu.89073382673&view=1up&seq=53

Above: Queen Anne, painted by Sir Godfrey Kneller.

Above: Sarah Churchill, painted by Charles Jervas.

Sarah Churchill, née Jennings, Duchess of Marlborough, Princess of Mindelheim, and Countess of Nellenburg (born June 5, 1660, died October 18, 1744), was an English courtier who rose to become one of the most influential women of her time through her close friendship and possible lesbian relationship with Queen Anne of Great Britain. Sarah's friendship with and influence over Anne was widely known, and leading public figures often turned to her in the hope that she would influence Anne to comply with requests. As a result, by the time Anne became queen, Sarah's knowledge of government and intimacy with her had made her both a powerful friend and a dangerous enemy.

Sarah enjoyed a "long and devoted" relationship with her husband of 40 years, John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough. She acted as Anne's agent after Anne's father, King James II, was deposed during the Glorious Revolution; and she promoted her interests during the rule of James's successors, King William III and Anne's sister, Queen Mary II. When Anne came to the throne after William's death in 1702, the Duke of Marlborough, together with Sidney Godolphin, 1st Earl of Godolphin, rose to head the government, partly owing to his wife's friendship with the queen.

While the Duke was away commanding troops in the War of the Spanish Succession, Sarah kept him informed of court intrigue, while he sent her requests and political advice, which she would in turn give to Anne. Sarah tirelessly campaigned on behalf of the Whigs while also devoting much of her time to building projects such as Blenheim Palace. A strong-willed woman, she strained her relationship with Anne whenever they disagreed on political, court or church appointments. After her final break with Anne in 1711, Sarah and her husband were dismissed from court, but she got her revenge with the Hanoverians after Anne's death in 1714. She later had famous disagreements with many important people, including her daughter Henrietta Godolphin, 2nd Duchess of Marlborough; the architect of Blenheim Palace, John Vanbrugh; Prime Minister Robert Walpole; King George II; and his wife, Queen Caroline. The money Sarah inherited from the Marlborough trust made her one of the richest women in Europe. She died in 1744 at the age of 84.

The letter:

It is now so late that I can only thank you for your letter, and congratulate the Duke of Marlborough being well after the siege of Bon, which is more pleasing news than all the conquests he can make.

May God Almighty, that has preserved him hitherto through many dangers, continue to do so, and send him safe home to his and my dear adored Mrs. Freeman!

Note: Mrs. Freeman was Anne's nickname for Sarah.