There is quite a bit of speculation about exactly WHERE Winston Churchill was born. Contrary to the rumour, he was not born in a ladies bathroom during a dance. He WAS born in a home where a dance was held, however, it was held three days prior to his birth, which took place in a downstairs bedroom.
Unfortunately that is not what the tour guides at Blenheim tell visitors! Jenny Churchill's labour may well have started in the bathroom though - and very plush it is too, if a little gaudy.
Although Jennie Churchill's sister says that Jennie was dancing gaily at a St. Andrew's ball in the great ballroom at Blenheim and was whisked off suddenly to the nearest room, piled with cloaks and hats of guests, to have Winston prematurely, his father remembers it differently. In a letter reproduced in Randolph S. Churchill's biography, Winston S. Churchill, Youth, 1874-1900, he says:
'She (Jennie) had a fall on Tuesday walking with the shooters, and a rather imprudent and rough drive in a pony carriage brought on the pains on Saturday night. We tried to stop them, but it was no use. They went on all Sunday. Of course the Oxford physician did not come. We telegraphed for the London man, Dr Hope, but he did not arrive till this morning. The country doctor is however a clever man, and the baby was safely born at 1:30 this morning after about 8 hrs labour.'
Mar 22 2002, 11:39 AM
McG
Answer has 7 votes
McG
Answer has 7 votes.
Sir Winston Churchill himself did not corroborate either version. When asked about them, he replied: 'Although present on that occasion, I have no clear recollection of the events leading up to it.'
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