The Marlborough Pavilion was built as a summer house in the mid 1920s and decorated in 1949 by Churchill’s nephew, John Spencer Churchill. The theme of the decoration is John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough who was Churchill’s oldest ancestor:
On the north wall are the motto, Fiel Pero Desdichado (‘Faithful but Unfortunate’) – a reference to the loyalty of the 1st Duke’s father to the Royalist cause after the execution of Charles 1 in 1649. Four terracotta plaques on the walls represent rivers that played a part in Marlborough’s campaigns during the War of the Spanish Succession (1702-13): the Danube, the Rhine (with the sirens of the Lorelei), the Meuse and the Moselle. The terracotta medallions at the corners represent the 1st Duke; his wife Sarah; Queen Anne; and Prince Eugene of Savoy, Marlborough’s most steadfast Continental ally, who played an important part in the victories of Blenheim (1704), Ramilles (1706), Oudenarde (1708) and Malplaquet (1709). The low-relief frieze around the ceiling evokes the Marlborough wars. One panel shows the defence of the village of Blenheim, the climactic moment of the 1st Duke’s most famous victory. *
*From the National Trust guide book
This looks such a wonderful place!
WE are so fortunate here in UK!
It was a really interesting place to visit
Gosh, how you find these things and then the patience to compose your shots. That was wonderful. Was that a portico above? What do you call that grotto like place? Excuse my ignorance here.
I do my research to find the most interesting places (to me) James
As to the photography it is something I enjoy doing, I find it quite rewarding especially when I can share the results.
This was a building on it’s own and didn’t connect to anything. It was built as a summer house which is usually at the bottom end of the garden and a nice place for sitting in during the summer months.
I suppose these days summer houses have been replaced by conservatories which have the same function.
I hope that helps?
Cherrypie: Trust you to feature a pair of balls (top) in one of your photos;-)
LOL and trust you to notice them
Beautiful place, great photos. Amusing and amazing; we sing a song, in French, about John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough. It starts:
Malbrough s’en va-t-en guerre—–Marlborough has left for war.
mironton, mironton, mirontaine—-rat-a-tat, rat-a-tat, rat-a-tat
Malbrough s’en va-t-en guerre—–Marlborough has left for war
Ne sait quand reviendra.———-Will he ever come home.
Thanks for that interesting information
I think I can picture in my head the tune the song is sung too
Beautiful spot, and interesting to see this commemoration of John Churchill (not such a great hero in parts of the West Country, thanks to his, er, efficiency at the Battle of Sedgemoor!). Lovely to see these, Cherie, thank you.
I had to look up what he got up to at the Battle of Sedgemoor! Glad you enjoyed it.
Yes, lovely – and fab photos as always.
Thank You, glad you enjoyed them
You do visit some lovely places.
(I’m catching up and have read all your posts.)
Thanks Liz, I hope you found them interesting
beautiful photos….
Thanks Sally
CherryPie – It’s sung to the tune: “For he’s a jolly good fellow.” Vikipedia gives interesting facts about it when you click,”Malbrough s’en va-t-en guerre.” Never thought when I sang the folk song, at 6, that, one day, I would visit your fascinating blog, and see a pavilion built around Marlborough’s story. So much fun! Thank you.
I hadn’t got that tune in my head, thanks for updating me
Thank you so much for your kind words, I am glad I have given you a lot of fun
Bloomin Norah!!!!! you could write a book on places to visit!!! I for one would pre order a copy…..great stuff CherryPie.
You are so kind EV