proposal was silenced by the national voice. The Commons
accordingly presented an address, soliciting her majesty to
consider of proper means for perpetuating the memory of
the great services performed by the Duke of Marlborough.

Anne rejoiced that she could at length indulge the senti-
ments of her gratitude towards the duke and affection
towards the duchess. On the 17th of February she informed
the house, that in conformity with their application, she
purposed to convey to the Duke of Marlborough and his
heirs the interest of the crown in the manor and honour of
Woodstock, with the hundred of Wootton, and requested
supplies for clearing off the incumbrances on that domain.
A bill for the purpose being immediately introduced, passed
both houses without opposition, and received the royal
sanction on the 14th of March. The preamble contained a
recapitulation of the unparalleled services performed by
Marlborough, not only to his own sovereign and fellow-
subjects, but to all Europe; and that the gift itself should
remain as a perpetual memorial, it was made a condition of
the tenure, that the possessor should present to the queen
and her successors, on the anniversary of the victory, a
standard emblazoned with three fleurs-de-lis on a field argent,
the achievement of France.

Not satisfied that the nation alone should testify its
gratitude, the queen accompanied the grant with an order to
the Board of Works to erect, at the royal expense, a splendid
palace, which, in memory of the victory, was to be called
the Castle of Blenheim. A model was immediately con-
structed for the approbation of the queen, and the work was
commenced without delay, under the direction of Mr. (after-
wards Sir John) Vanbrugh, who was then regarded as one of
the first architects of the age. ^*

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