United Kingdom-England 5
Blenheim Palace
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Blenheim Palace stands in a romantic park created by the famous landscape gardener "Capability" Brown. It was presented by the English nation to John Churchill, first Duke of Marlborough, in recognition of his victory in 1704 over French and Bavarian troops in the Battle of Blenheim. Built between 1705 and 1722 it is a perfect example of an 18th-century princely dwelling.
Soon after construction began it became the subject of political infighting, leading to Marlboroughs exile, the fall from power of his duchy. Following the palaces completion, it became the home of the Churchill, later Spencer-Churchill, family for the next 300 years, and various members of the family have wrought changes to the interiors, park and gardens. At the end of the 19th century, the palace was saved from ruin by funds gained from the 9th Duke of Marlboroughs marriage to American railroad heiress Consuelo Vanderbilt.
