The Favourite is going to be in movie theatres soon. I can hardly wait. The film stars Olivia Colman as Queen Anne of England, Rachel Weisz as Sarah Jennings and Emma Stone as Abigail Masham and it is about the rivalry between the two women for the affections of the Queen. The movie takes place probably some thirty years before my novel begins but the manners and social mores of the periods were very similar. Queen Anne’s reign ended in 1714 and she was succeeded by the first of the Georgian kings, hence the ‘Georgian period’.
Sarah Jennings, the Duchess of Marlborough is one of the rivals mentioned above. (I will be writing more about her in my next blog because she was an unusual woman for her time)! For one thing, many disapproving nobles thought she had too much influence over Queen Anne which benefited the Marlboroughs’ family and friends. One of the benefits was the gift of Blenheim Palace to the Duke of Marlborough for his success in defeating the Spanish at Blenheim.
Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire is one of the most beautiful places in England. During our last trip, my husband and I spent an enjoyable day touring the palace and its massive grounds. These are just two photos of the many spectacular views at Blenheim Palace.
