Copperplate

Woodstock - Blenheim Palace. The construction of Blenheim Palace began in 1705, on land gifted to John Churchil, Duke of Marlborough, by a grateful nation in recognition of his victory at the Battle of Blenheim during the War of the Spanish Succession. Parliament voted funding for the build to which the Duke also contributed. The architect was Sir John Vanburgh and the house was mostly completed by 1725, in the English Baroque style. Quarrels between the Royal House household and the Marlboroughs, and between the Dutchess and the Architect contributed to the delay, causing disruptions to the flow of funding. The house remains the seats of the Dukes of Marlborough today, and is open to the public. This print, from an unknown source, shows a view of the palace from the gardens. It bears a faint signature, believed to be that of the engraver Samuel Rawle (1771-1860). An ex-library stamp to the lower right of the printed area could be hidden by judicious mounting.