se I’m leaving on Sunday.
The 11th Duke of Marlborough, John George Vanderbilt Henry Spencer-Churchill, died a few days ago, and his funeral is scheduled for Friday. The Palace is at half mast, and there’s a sense of gloom around the village.
The Duke was 88, and achieved a great deal during his tenure as master of Blenheim. He was responsible for reversing three centuries of gentle decline and turning the Estate into a fully functioning, profitable and sustainable business. He commercialised tours of the Palace and established the calendar of grand events that keep the place buzzing (and profitable) throughout the year. At the same time, he managed to zealously guard his inheritance against the encroachment of both the 20th and 21st centuries. Which is why Blenheim still has the charm necessary to pull in thousands of visitors every day.
The 11th Duke leaves behind a lively, vibrant Estate and I hope he was able to feel unreservedly proud of his life’s work. Certainly he had the admiration and respect of both his peers and his staff, and far too few “great” men ever manage to achieve that. He will be missed by all who knew him.
Paul Manson 