THE FAVOURITE - DUCHESS OF MARLBOROUGH: (1660-1744)... Lot n° 571

THE FAVOURITE - DUCHESS OF MARLBOROUGH: (1660-1744) Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough, born Jenyns. English Courtier, one of the most influential women of her time through her close friendship with Queen Anne of Great Britain. When Anne came to the throne in 1702, the Duke of Marlborough, together with Sidney Godolphin, rose to head the government, partly owing to his wife's friendship with the queen. The money she inherited from the Marlborough trust left her one of the richest women in Europe. Rare D.S., `S. Marlborough´, two pages, folio, 2nd June 1732. Signed to the second page by the Duchess of Marlborough, also signed beneath `Godolphin´, by Sidney Godolphin, 1st Earl of Godolphin, also signed beneath `J.Hanbury´, by John Hanbury. The partially printed text states in part `.. By Virtue and in Pursuance of an Act lately passed in Parliament, (Entitled, ''An Act for Granting an Aid to His Majesty, by a Land-Tax to be raised in Great Britain, for the Service of the rear 1730.) That you deliver and pay of such His Majesty´s Treasure as remains in your charge, arising by Virtue of the said Act, onto the most noble Sarah Duchess Dowager of Marlborough, the Right Honorable Francis Earl of Godolphin, William Clayton and John Hanbury, Executors of John Cale Duke of Marlborough, or their assigns, the Sum of five thousand pounds..´ The document bears hand-written annotations to the front head and base, referring to payments and dates. Large area of paper loss to the right border, only affecting side annotations, but not the text document nor the signatures. Bearing a J.L.Debauve collection stamp to the bottom verso. Overall age wear and staining to the left border. F £500-800 John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough (1650-1722) Prince of the Holy Roman Empire. English statesman whose career spanned the reigns of five monarchs. As de facto leader of Allied forces in the Low Countries, his victories ensured his place in history as one of Europe's great generals. His