The final programme in the series shows how Winston Churchill drew on the lessons of John Churchill to fight World War II.

At two key moments in particular, Winston's strategic sense averted disaster, and in both decisions, the influence of the Duke of Marlborough is apparent.

Dr David Starkey argues that it was Winston the historian's ability to control events by naming them and giving them a narrative meaning than enabled him to shape world history long after his own fall from power, right up to the present day.