Of these, Saint James's or the Court of Queen Anne, An Historical Romance ran from January 1844 until December 1844.

In the opposite manner, King Henry VIII in Windsor Castle operates as the dominant figure and is unable to be controlled by others.

This defence carried over to Ainsworth's criticism of William Makepeace Thackeray's depiction of the duke within the novel Esmond.

If I have painted him too much en beau, it is because almost every other writer has shaded his character too deeply; underrating his brilliant service, and dwelling upon his few failings, rather than upon his many and exalted qualities.

[3] Queen Anne's character reflects the description by the Duchess of Marlborough: "she certainly ... meant well and was not a fool; but nobody can maintain that she was wise, nor entertaining in conversation.

"[8] Other notable historical figures make minor appearances in the novel, including a dinner party hosted by St John in which those like William Congreve, John Vanbrugh, Joseph Addison, Richard Steele, Anne Oldfield and other notable politicians, writers, and actors attend.

"[2] Stephen Carver claims that Worth's description was correct and that it the problems could stem from history itself: "Perhaps it was the essentially wishy-washy nature of the reign of Queen Anne, the last Stuart sovereign, which made for such a dreary account of the Tories's successful strategy [...] to curv the political influence of the Duke and Duchess of Marlborough.