Lord Randolph Churchill — Part 1

Just imagine Winston Churchill with a tache like that. He could have rivalled Stalin. (Source)

It’s the moment you’ve all been waiting for, my one on one blog with Lord Randolph Churchill!

My, what a lot of information you have, Randolph. Enough for two parts, so here’s the first part to wet your whistle.

Since this is the largest Wikipedia article that I have researched so far, we will give this some structure — this will be longer than my usual blogs, so if you don’t like reading, why the hell aren’t you on YouTube?

Let’s start at the beginning, before the birth of his son and Jack the Ripper, let’s begin our story at 3 Wilton Terrace, Belgravia, London, or maybe he was born at Blenheim Palace — who should we trust, Wikipedia or NNDB.com

Born on the 13th of February, 1849, to the 7th Duke of Marlborough and Lady Frances Vane, Randolph was their third son.

Shockingly, Randolph was privately educated at home as well as attending Tabor’s Prep School before joining Eton College in 1863 until 1865. Fellow Etonians described him as a vivacious and rather unruly boy/lad — like father, like son, eh Winston?

In October 1867, Randolph was matriculated or enrolled at Merton College, Oxford. While at Oxford, he was said to have been a founding member of the Oxford University Chess Club. But, like most freshers, he also enjoyed a drink, as he attended champagne-fuelled parties at the Bullingdon Club.

I’ve got something in my front pocket for you. (Source)

He gained quite the reputation at Oxford for being drunk, smoking whilst in uniform, smashing windows — an enfant terrible.

Nevertheless, he achieved a second class degree in modern history and jurisprudence — the theory of law in layman’s terms. 

A year after his graduation in 1871, Randolph joined the Freemasons, a rather secretive and fraternal organisation.

Now for a love story.

I expected the Churchill’s to own a bulldog. (Source)

In 1874, Randolph married Jeanette “Jennie” Jerome, an American brought up in Paris after her mother left her father, an extroverted New Yorker and financier. 

It was love at first sight (“coup de foudre”), Randolph sounds like a besotted teenager in the honeymoon period in this letter from August 1873:
“I can assure you dearest Jeannette you have not been out of my thoughts hardly for one minute since I left you Monday. I have written to my father everything, how much I love you how much I long and pray and how much I would sacrifice if it were necessary to be married to you and to live ever after with you.”
Six months after their marriage, Jennie prematurely gave birth at Blenheim to a son they named Winston — I don’t think he’s that important.


That’s right, my boy will not play with dolls, he will join the cavalry. (Source)

The family was not shy of controversy, as it is alleged that Winston was not born prematurely, but was instead conceived out of wedlock. Their second son, Jack, was also born prematurely and is suspected to be the product of an affair between Jennie and Lord Falmouth.

However, historians Celia and John Lee believe to have debunked these theories in their biography of the Churchill Family, using explanations of a pelvic injury and chronological discrepancies.

The scandals continued in this supposed love story. Randolph came home from an excursion in 1889 to find Jennie and the Prince of Wales (Edward VII) unchaperoned in his house. Unchaperoned?!? Jennie, you filthy minx.


Stay alert for the second part where there will be more about Randolph’s rivalry with the monarchy, his short but sweet political career, Jack the Ripper, and his untimely death.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Creeptemporary — Cie. Toula Limnaios

Lord Randolph Churchill — Part 2 — A flash in the pan.