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placing the diadem upon his son's head, he bade him be proclaimed Emperor and his step was
hailed by all present.
2. The Blenhein Palace, the Churchill’s and the Holy Roman Empire
th
Blenheim Palace in Woodstock, Oxfordshire, was built in the 18 century to honour
John Churchill, Duke of Malborough, victor of the Battle of Blenheim in 1704 and a
string of other battles against Louis XIV of France. On the Palace is a Latin inscription:
“Europae haec Vindex Genio decora alta Britanno.” It means: “The avenger of
Europe dedicates these lofty trophies to the Genius of Britain!” Above is a 40 ton
bust of Louis XIV captured by the British at Tournai.
In the grounds of the Palace is a victory column with this inscription:
The Castle of BLENHEIM was founded by Queen ANNE,
In the Fourth Year of her Reign,
In the Year of the Christian Æra, One thousand seven hundred and five;
A Monument designed to perpetuate the Memory of the Signal Victory
Obtained over the FRENCH and BAVARIANS.
Near the Village of BLENHEIM,
On the Banks of the DANUBE,
By IOHN Duke of MARLBOROUGH:
The Hero not only of his Nation, but his Age:
Whose Glory was equal in the Council and in the Field:
Who by Wisdom, Justice, Candour, and Address,
Reconciled various and even opposite Interests;
Acquired an Influence, which no Rank, no Authority can give,
Nor any Force, but that of Superior Virtue;
Became the fixed, important Center,
Which united in one common Cause,
The Principal States of EUROPE.
Who by military Knowledge, and irresistible Valour,
In a long Series of uninterrupted Triumphs,
Broke the Power of FRANCE,
When raised the highest, when exerted the most;
Rescued the EMPIRE from Desolation;
Asserted and confirmed the Liberties of EUROPE.
The “EMPIRE” referred to in the penultimate line is not the British Empire, but the
Holy Roman Empire. Since 1950 the city of Aachen, Charlemagne’s capitol, has
awarded an annual “Charlemagne Prize” for contributions to European unity. In 1956
it was won by Winston Churchill, Marlborough’s great descendant.
