Lot Essay
The wife of John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, Sarah Jennings was appointed Lady of the Bedchamber in 1683, and became a close friend and advisor to Queen Anne. Vivacious and adept at politicking, she used her position to further the military career of her husband. Eventually in 1711, her self-confident dominance of the Queen provoked a quarrel and estrangement, and both she and the Duke were dismissed from their offices.