A Question of Loyalties (1974)

Josephine Bell tells of the romantic and gripping early career of John Churchill, later to become the first Duke of Marlborough. His youth was spent in the Courts of Charles II and James, Duke of York; glittering, reckless Courts, with their gambling, dancing, duelling, love-making and luxury. He was a man of fearless action and served in the army of the Duke of York in France with great distinction and rapid promotion – but his loyalty to the Duke was destroyed after the latter’s succession to the throne. When William of Orange landed at Brixham to take the throne of his Protestant wife, Mary, John Churchill, already in peril of his life, left his post to join him. No doubt the outstanding love affair of his life was with Sarah Jennings, later to become his wife. For her he rejected the bawdy, promiscuous life at Court for a marriage which was to be a life-long, loving devotion. This is Josephine Bell at her skilful and romantic best.