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The Worst Episodes of The First Churchills

Every episode of The First Churchills ranked from worst to best. Explore the Worst Episodes of The First Churchills!

The lives of the Duke of Marlborough and his wife Sarah, from their meeting in 1673 to the duke's death in 1722.
Genre:Drama
Network:BBC Two

Worst Episodes Summary

"The Chaste Nymph" is the worst rated episode of "The First Churchills". It scored 7.2/10 based on 27 votes. Directed by David Giles and written by Donald Wilson, it aired on 9/27/1969. This episode scored 0.4 points lower than the second lowest rated, "The Lion and the Unicorn".

  • The Chaste Nymph
    7.2/1027 votes
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    #1 - The Chaste Nymph

    Season 1 Episode 1 - Aired 9/27/1969

    At the court of Charles II, young John Churchill advances his career by serving the king’s bastard son, Monmouth, in the field of battle, and by bedding the king’s mistress, the Duchess of Cleveland. Young Sarah Jennings is also advancing at court, by befriending the king’s sister-in-law, the Duchess of York, and teaching the York princesses, Mary and Anne, the art of gambling. At a court masque, the two meet, and sparks fly.

    Director: David Giles

    Writer: Donald Wilson

  • The Lion and the Unicorn
    7.6/1022 votes
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    #2 - The Lion and the Unicorn

    Season 1 Episode 4 - Aired 10/18/1969

    The rage against Popery in England continues. James, Duke of Monmouth, has become the protégé of Shaftesbury who plans to make him King. But Churchill has refused to support Monmouth. Charles has resisted all pressure to disinherit his brother James.

    Director: David Giles

    Writer: Donald Wilson

  • Not Without Honour
    7.6/1021 votes
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    #3 - Not Without Honour

    Season 1 Episode 12 - Aired 12/13/1969

    Marlborough continues his success in the war against France, but his prestige at home and with Anne has been impaired by the devious backstairs intrigue of Robert Harley.

    Director: David Giles

    Writer: Donald Wilson

  • Plot Counter-Plot
    7.7/1023 votes
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    #4 - Plot Counter-Plot

    Season 1 Episode 3 - Aired 10/11/1969

    John and Sarah have married. Lord Shaftesbury has threatened Charles with rebellion. To appease his Protestant Parliament, Charles has arranged a marriage between Mary and the Prince of Orange.

    Director: David Giles

    Writer: Donald Wilson

  • Breaking the Circle
    7.7/1019 votes
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    #5 - Breaking the Circle

    Season 1 Episode 11 - Aired 12/6/1969

    To save the Holy Roman Empire from French invasion Marlborough led his allied troops into Germany and defeated the French at the Battle of Blenheim.

    Director: David Giles

    Writer: Donald Wilson

  • Rebellion
    7.8/1021 votes
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    #6 - Rebellion

    Season 1 Episode 5 - Aired 10/25/1969

    Charles has been forced to send James into exile and to dissolve his factious parliament at Oxford. The Princess Anne has married George, Prince of Denmark, and has chosen Sarah to be one of her Ladies of the Bedchamber.

    Director: David Giles

    Writer: Donald Wilson

  • The Protestant Wind
    7.8/1020 votes
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    #7 - The Protestant Wind

    Season 1 Episode 6 - Aired 11/1/1969

    Monmouth, the hope of the Protestant rebels, was defeated by John Churchill at Sedgemoor.

    Director: David Giles

    Writer: Donald Wilson

  • Trial of Strength
    7.8/1019 votes
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    #8 - Trial of Strength

    Season 1 Episode 7 - Aired 11/8/1969

    John Churchill owed much to James II. But the King was clearly determined to destroy the Protestant religion and the laws of England, so John decided to support William of Orange and the Revolution of 1688.

    Director: David Giles

    Writer: Donald Wilson

  • Reconciliation
    7.8/1019 votes
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    #9 - Reconciliation

    Season 1 Episode 9 - Aired 11/22/1969

    In an atmosphere of national panic John, falsely accused of Jacobite treachery, has been imprisoned for a time in the Tower. After Mary's death, William receives Anne at Court.

    Director: David Giles

    Writer: Donald Wilson

  • Bridals
    7.9/1023 votes
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    #10 - Bridals

    Season 1 Episode 2 - Aired 10/4/1969

    In 1675 a masque was performed at the Court of Charles II at Whitehall. There the young soldier John Churchill, Groom of the Bedchamber to the King's brother, fell in love with a pretty lady-in-waiting, Sarah Jennings.

    Director: David Giles

    Writer: Donald Wilson

  • The Queens Command
    7.9/1020 votes
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    #11 - The Queens Command

    Season 1 Episode 8 - Aired 11/15/1969

    William III, with Churchill's help, has defeated James' attempted invasion of Ireland. John has been suspected of treason and dismissed from Court. Princess Anne has refused to obey her sister Mary and part with Sarah.

    Director: David Giles

    Writer: Donald Wilson

  • A Famous Victory
    7.9/1020 votes
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    #12 - A Famous Victory

    Season 1 Episode 10 - Aired 11/29/1969

    Before he died William III recognised Marlborough as his successor in the task of defeating France. With the accession of Anne, John and Sarah have risen to a position of pre-eminence.

    Director: David Giles

    Writer: Donald Wilson