Henrietta Godolphin, 2nd Duchess of Marlborough

Who was Henrietta Godolphin, 2nd Duchess of Marlborough?

Henrietta Godolphin, 2nd Duchess of Marlborough was the daughter of John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, general of the army, and Sarah Jennings, Duchess of Marlborough, close friend and business manager of Queen Anne.

She was born Henrietta Churchill, and became The Hon. Henrietta Churchill when her father was made a Scottish Lord of Parliament in 1682 and Lady Henrietta Churchill in 1689, when her father was created Earl of Marlborough. She married The Hon. Francis Godolphin in 1698, becoming Lady Henrietta Godolphin. She became Viscountess Rialton in 1706 when her father-in-law was created Earl of Godolphin, and Countess of Godolphin in 1712 when her husband succeeded as 2nd Earl of Godolphin.

An act of English parliament in 1706 allowed the 1st Duke's daughters to inherit his English titles. Following his death in 1722, Lady Godolphin became suo jure Duchess of Marlborough.

She bore five children during her marriage to Lord Godolphin:

William Godolphin, Marquess of Blandford, married Maria Catherina de Jong, no issue

Lord Henry Godolphin

Lady Margaret Godolphin

Lady Henrietta Godolphin, married the 1st Duke of Newcastle, no issue