MARLBOROUGH DUKE OF: (1650-1722) John Churchill. English Soldier and Statesman. Commander-in-Chief of the Forces ...

MARLBOROUGH DUKE OF: (1650-1722) John Churchill. English Soldier and Statesman. Commander-in-Chief of the Forces 1690-91, 1702-08.
D.S., Marlborough, one page, folio, Office of Ordnance [London], 1st February 1702/3. The manuscript document is addressed to the Right Honourable John Granville, Lieutenant General of Her Majesties Ordnance and is a warrant of approval for Alexander Fort Jnr. to be employed as a Joiner at The Ordnance. Countersigned at the foot by James Craggs (1657-1721) Secretary to the Master-General of the Ordnance. With blind embossed paper seal affixed. Some light overall discoloration and age wear, creasing and some small tears, only slightly affecting the text, but not the signature. With a portion of the lower right corner of the document neatly excised. Accompanied by a small selection of unsigned printed ephemera and vintage postcards relating to Marlborough. About G, 7Alexander Fort Jnr. Son of Alexander Fort who held high office as Master Joiner in the late 17th century and was one of the most noted of Sir Christopher Wren's group.At the time of the present document Marlborough was Master-General of the Ordnance, responsible for all British artillery, engineers, fortifications, military supplies, transport and field hospitals.Marlborough's career spanned the reigns of five monarchs, reaching the zenith of his powers and securing his fame and fortune upon the accession of Queen Anne in 1702, the present document being signed in the first year of her reign. Through his sheer force of personality Marlborough raised the standing of British arms to a level not known since the Middle Ages, his victories allowing Britain to rise from a minor to a major power, ensuring the country's growing prosperity throughout the 18th century.