Scandals & secrets of Churchill's birthplace

Visitors taken on decadent romp

- BY EMMELINE SAUNDERS

Debauchery from forbidden romance to shocking betrayals and drug abuse are not the hidden secrets most people would expect to unearth at Winston Churchill's birthplace.

But Blenheim Palace - where the great wartime Prime Minister was born - has been the site of just about every kind of scandalous behaviour imaginable.

Compelling exhibition Lust and Laudanum, which opened this week, takes visitors on a romp through the decadence of the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries.

The story begins with Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough, the sharp-elbowed court adviser who climbed from Lady of the Bedchamber to most trusted confidante (and rumoured lover) of Queen Anne.

Played by Rachel Weisz in the award-winning 2018 film The Favourite, the duchess was born Sarah Jennings and played with the young Anne Stuart as ladies-in-waiting.

Their friendship became all-encompassing - they developed pet names for each other, Mrs Morley (Anne) and Mrs Freeman (Sarah).

Sarah used her influence when Anne came to the throne in 1702, following the death of William III. Sarah initially refused a dukedom for her husband John, concerned they wouldn't have enough money to show off the title with the lavish entertainment expected.

But with a pension of £5,000 a year for life, plus £2,000 a year from the Privy Purse to sweeten the deal, the duchess accepted.