Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough John chose Sarah over Catherine Sedley, but both John's and Sarah's families disapproved of the match, therefore they married secretly in the winter of 1677–78. John and Sarah were both Protestants in a predominantly Catholic court, a circumstance that would influence their political allegiances. Although no date was recorded, the marriage was announced only to the Duchess of York, and a small circle of friends, so that Sarah could keep her court position as Maid of Honour. When Sarah became pregnant, her marriage was announced publicly (on 1 October 1678), and she retired from the court to give birth to
Elizabeth Spencer, Duchess of Marlborough in Blenheim Palace. Elizabeth Spencer, Duchess of Marlborough Elizabeth Spencer, Duchess of Marlborough (c.1713 – 7 October 1761), formerly the Hon. Elizabeth Trevor, was the wife of Charles Spencer, 3rd Duke of Marlborough. She was the daughter of Thomas Trevor, 2nd Baron Trevor of Bromham. She married Charles Spencer, then Earl of Sunderland on 23 May 1732, becoming Countess of Sunderland. The Earl's grandmother, Sarah, Dowager Duchess of Marlborough, disapproved of the marriage because Elizabeth's grandfather, the 1st Baron Trevor, had been a political opponent. The dowager commented that "she has very bad teeth, which I think is an objection