in 1683, but he died in 1685 at age 22. Four of their children gained distinction: John Churchill (1650–1722) became a famous military commander and was created Duke of Marlborough; George Churchill (1654–1710) became an admiral in the Royal Navy and never married; Charles Churchill (1656–1714) became a general in the British Army under his eldest brother and married Mary Gould (later married to the 2nd Earl of Abingdon); Arabella Churchill (1648–1730) became a mistress of King James II and mother of four of his children; among her descendants are Earl Waldegrave; the Earls Spencer; the Dukes of Berwick, and the later Dukes of Alba; Viscount Falmouth. For many years he was unfaithful to his wife and his maid Betty. Arabella became mistress of James, Duke of York in about 1665. In 1667, on most accounts, James obtained a commission for John in the Guards and, in 1675, John was commissioned captain in the Duke of York and Albany's Maritime Regiment. Charles was commissioned Ensign (in 1674) and Captain (1679) in the Duke of York's Regiment. George although pursuing a mainly Admiralty career, was commissioned Ensign (1676) and Lieutenant (1678) in the Duke of York's Regiment. Jasper was commissioned ensign in 1678, in the Duke of York's Regiment. Theobald, the cleric, stood out: he was commissioned Chaplain in November 1683, but in the King's Own Royal Regiment of Dragoons commanded then by John, Lord Churchill. Fifteen months after that, James, Duke of York, was king. References 1620 births 1688 deaths Alumni of St John's College, Oxford Cavaliers Fellows of the Royal Society Winston Churchill (1620-1688) 17th-century soldiers English MPs 1661–1679 English MPs 1685–1687 Knights Bachelor