The 41-metre (134-foot)-high Doric ‘Column of Victory’ stands at the entrance to the Great Avenue in the Park. It is crowned by a lead statue of the 1st Duke, by Robert Pit. The statue depicts him dressed as a Roman general, with eagles at his feet and a Winged Victory in his hand. The monument was begun in 1727, five years after his death, and completed in 1730 at a cost of £3.000.*
Three sides feature extracts from the Acts of Parliament that settled the estate on the 1st Duke and his descendants in both the male and female lines. On the fourth side, facing the palace, is an epitaph to Malborough by Lord Bolingbroke (Henry St John) – Ironically a hated political foe of the Marlboroughs form the days of Queen Anne.*
Sir Winston Churchill wrote of the Column of Victory’s epitaph in his biography of the 1st Duke. ‘The inscription is a masterpiece of compact and majestic statement. In fact, it would serve as a history in itself, were all other records lost.’*
*From the Blenheim Palace guidebook printed 2014
It’s very impressive. The inclusion of the people in the grounds emphasises its size.
I often wait until there are no people in my shot. Sometimes that is not possible and occasionally they are need to ‘make’ the photo
£3.000 was a lot of money in 1727… but it is a great monument to victory of some kind… i like the first image with the open fields the most Cherie….peter:)
It commemorates the Duke of Malborough’s victories. It is very imposing!
wow, those are some massive proportions, CP. you’ve made a wonderful post with this.
Thanks Ayush I am glad you like it
Oh can you actually climb up the coloumn like the Momument in London?
As far as I am aware you can’t climb up this one.
Ha ha… Then you should climb the Monument in London.
On your way down, they will even give you a certificate!
I am planning on climbing a tower this week, so watch this space
I have toyed with the idea of a statue of me set upon a tall tower like that, but dressed in m’finest armour. The one with the little gold and silver bits. But that would be a tad hubristic, not to mention old fashioned. Roman General indeed !!
Where we you thinking of placing your illustrious statue and tower?
Ohhh, in the grounds I have behind my home. Somewhere. The council is using most of it for a sports oval and a playground/BBQ.
It will look jolly fine presiding over the BBQ
Pity it couldn’t have been before his death, so he would get a glimpse.
I wonder if it would have been to his taste?