The First Churchills

1. E1. The Chaste Nymph

   Sep 27, 1969 · 50m

   At the court of Charles II, young John Churchill advances his career by serving the king’s bastard son, Monmouth, in the field of battle, and by bedding the king’s mistress, the Duchess of Cleveland. Young Sarah Jennings is also advancing at court, by befriending the king’s sister-in-law, the Duchess of York, and teaching the York princesses, Mary and Anne, the art of gambling. At a court masque, the two meet, and sparks fly.

2. E2. Bridals

   Oct 4, 1969 · 50m

   In 1675 a masque was performed at the Court of Charles II at Whitehall. There the young soldier John Churchill, Groom of the Bedchamber to the King's brother, fell in love with a pretty lady-in-waiting, Sarah Jennings.

3. E3. Plot Counter-Plot

   Oct 11, 1969 · 50m

   John and Sarah have married. Lord Shaftesbury has threatened Charles with rebellion. To appease his Protestant Parliament, Charles has arranged a marriage between Mary and the Prince of Orange.

4. E4. The Lion and the Unicorn

   Oct 18, 1969 · 50m

   The rage against Popery in England continues. James, Duke of Monmouth, has become the protégé of Shaftesbury who plans to make him King. But Churchill has refused to support Monmouth. Charles has resisted all pressure to disinherit his brother James.

5. E5. Rebellion

   Oct 25, 1969 · 50m

   Charles has been forced to send James into exile and to dissolve his factious parliament at Oxford. The Princess Anne has married George, Prince of Denmark, and has chosen Sarah to be one of her Ladies of the Bedchamber.

6. E6. The Protestant Wind

   Nov 1, 1969 · 50m

   Monmouth, the hope of the Protestant rebels, was defeated by John Churchill at Sedgemoor.

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