Add MS 61451

BLENHEIM PAPERS. Vol. CCCLI (ff. 198). Papers relating to the 'Green Book' (so called from the green binding of the final version, which is not among the Blenheim Papers), comprising narratives by the Duchess concerning her quarrels with her children and grandchildren and their families; 1722-1744. Mostly copies by or dictated to amanuenses. As follows: — (1) The original narrative composed after a quarrel with her daughters, Henrietta, Duchess of Marlborough, and Mary, Duchess of Montagu, in 1722, and intended for circulation amongst her friends. Copy in four different hands, entitled by the Duchess, 'An account of the cruell usage from my children'; 1722. ff. 1-54b.

(2) Another copy of the preceding by the Duchess's secretary, Capt. Humphrey Fish, entitled by the Duchess 'An account of the Dutches of Marl. & Montagus behaviour before & after their fathers death'; 1722. ff. 55-106b.

(3) Extracts from the preceding, headed 'Taken out of a Book that has many Extraordinary things, but what is intended here relates to the Dutchess of Montagu'; with additions to 1739. Probably a copy of a document sent to Mary, Duchess of Montagu; see her letter of 20 July 1739, Add. MS. 61450, f. 158 above. ff. 107-130.

(4) Narratives probably intended to form part of the 'Green Book', conceming Scroop, 1 st Duke of Bridgewater; Anne, Duchess of Bedford; Isabella, Duchess of Manchester; Mary, Countess of Cardigan; and John, 4th Duke of Bedford; explaining why they had been excluded from her will; aft. 1742. Copies. ff. 131-140b.

(5) Narratives concerning her grandson, Charles, 3rd Duke of Marlborough, repeating or referring to the contents of the 'Green Book'; prompted by their Chancery suit over the 1st Duke's will; 1738-1744. Copies. Material from these narratives is included in a 'Postscript' to the Large Paper edition of An Account of the Conduct of the Dowager Duchess of Marlborough, printed for private circulation in 1742 (British Library G. 14844). ff. 141-196b.

(6) Instructions to her executors to use the 'Green Book' in case of a dispute about her will; 20 Oct. 1741. Autograph copy. ff. 197-198b.

includes:

• ff. 1-106b Henrietta Godolphin, née Churchill; wife of Francis, 2nd Earl of Godolphin; suo jure Duchess of Marlborough: Narrative by Duchess of Marlborough rel. to: 1722.
• ff. 1-130b Mary Montagu, née Churchill; wife of John, 2nd Duke of Montagu: Narratives by Duchess of Marlborough rel. to: 1722-1739.
• ff. 22-32, 75-85 Henrietta Pelham-Holles, wife of Thomas, Duke of Newcastle: Narratives by Duchess of Marlborough rel. to: 1720-1722.
• f. 129 John Michael Rysbrack, sculptor: Papers rel. to Marlborough tomb at Blenheim Palace: 1730-[ 1733 ?].
• ff. 131-134, 136 Scroop Egerton, 1st Duke of Bridgewater: Narratives by Duchess of Marlborough rel. to: 1722-aft. 1742.
• ff. 131-134, 136 Anne Russell, née Egerton afterw. Villiers; wife of Wriothesley, 3rd Duke of Bedford, and (1733) of William, 3rd Earl of Jersey: Narrative by Duchess of Marlborough rel. to: aft. 1742.
• ff.134-135b Isabella Montagu, wife of William, 2nd Duke of Manchester: Narrative rel. to, by Duchess of Marlborough: aft. 1742.
• ff. 135b-136 Mary Brudenell, wife of George, 4th Earl of Cardigan: Narrative by Duchess of Marlborough rel. to: aft. 1742.
• ff. 137-140b John Russell, 4th Duke of Bedford: Narrative, etc., by Duchess of Marlborough rel. to: 1742-1744.
• ff. 141-196 John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough: Narratives, etc., by his wife rel. to his will: 1720-1745.: Partly imperf.
• ff. 141-196b Charles Spencer, 5th Earl of Sunderland; 3rd Duke of Marlborough: Narratives rel. to, by Duchess of Marlborough: 1738-1744.
• ff.141-194b Wills: Papers rel. to wills and executors of Duke of Marlborough: 1705-1744.