Sidney Godolphin
(1645-1712)
Sidney Godolpin was born in Godolphin Hall near Helston and baptised at Breage on 15th. June 1645. He became a royal page to King Charles II in 1662 where he became a life long friend of John Churchill (later the Duke of Marlborough), who was at that time a page to the Duke of York. This relationship was to play a pivitol role in the affairs of England later on when Godolphin rose in position and influence and was responsible for raising the finance to support Marlborough's campaigns on the continent.
Godolpin entered Parliament in 1668 as member for Helston and in 1678 he visited Holland. In that year he married Margaret Blagge, who subsequently died of peurpal fever after giving birth to a son, Francis (she is buried at Breage)
1684 saw Sidney created Baron Godolphin of Rialton and was made head of the treasury. He served as lord of the tresuary untill untill the end of James II reign. When William III landed in 1688, Godolphin stood by James II and was sent with Halifax and Nottingham to negotiate with William. However, when James flight was known, he voted for a regency. Nevertheless in February 1689 William reinstated him as first commissioner of the Treasury because of his outstanding political and economic skills. Godolphin was a Tory and when William began replacing his Tory ministers by Whigs he dismissed him in 1696.
In 1698 his son, Francis, married Henrietta the daughter of the Duke of Marlborough Sidney's close friend and political ally.
When Anne succeeded to the throne she made Godolphin her sole Lord High Treasurer in 1702 and Knight of the Garter in 1704. During this period he was a member of the triumvirate, along with Marlborough and Robert Harley ( the future Earl of Oxford) at the heart of Anne's administration. 1706 saw Anne created him Earl of Godolphin for his work with Marlborough in bringing about the union of England and Scotland. To maintain his position he pressured Anne to dismiss Harley (1708) his rival, however in 1710 he was dismissed himself.
Sidney's interests outside of his official life was horse racing. He was the first to import arab stallions into England and all throughbreds in english racing today can trace their bloodline back to his stable.
