| Summary: | The thesis deals with the party journalism of the years 1710-1712 as it concerned Marlborough, relating it to its political context and discussing the techniques of controversy employed. The introduction outlines Marlborough's popular status during the earlier years of Anne's reign, the uneasiness aroused by his family's monopoly of royal favour, the growing discontent with the war, despite his repeated victories, and Marlborough's personal reactions to such criticism. The first three chapters concern the issues arising from the ministerial changes and General Election of 1710, measures which many pamphleteers justified by censuring Marlborough's abuse of royal favour and conduct as general and plenipotentiary. The important contribution of Marlborough's principal apologist, Francis Hare, to this latter controversy is discussed in detail. Chapter III demonstrates that journalistic. pressure was also a determining factor in Marlborough's retention of his command under the new ministry. Chapters IV to'VI trace the efforts of Marlborough's Journalistic supporters during his last campaign to make his continuing military success the spearhead of their opposition to the ministry's secret peace negotiations, a procedure more favoured by the Duchess of Marlborough than by the Duke, and culminating at the end of 1711 in major ministerial press attacks on the latter and finally in his 3. dismissal on charges of financial malpractice. The last two chapters describe the controversies of the year following Marlborough's dismissal, including the journalists' unscrupulous exploitation of the peculation charges, and the numerous publications purporting to expose plots of Marlborough's devising against the Queen and ministry. The difficulties facing his defenders and the effect of this massive and damaging press campaign on the Duke himself are also examined. An epilogue deals briefly with journalistic reactions to Marlborough's period of self-exile on the Continent from December 1712 until August 1714.
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