Under the influence of the moderate Tories, Marlborough, Godolphin, and their invaluable ally, the Duchess, the Queen was gradually losing faith in the violent Tories.

According to Swift, she began to dislike her bosom friend, Mrs.Freeman, from the moment of her accession, but though she may have chafed under the yoke of her favourite, she could not at once shake off the domination of that imperious will.

The Duchess, finding the extreme Tories unfavourable to the war in which her husband's honour and interests were deeply engaged, became a hot partisan against them, and used all their blunders to break down their power at Court.

Day by day she impressed upon the Queen the necessity of peace and union at home in the face of the troubles abroad.

The moderate men of both parties must be rallied round the throne.