The 2018 period drama The Favourite, directed by Yorgos Lanthimos, stunned audiences and critics alike with its dark humor, intricate character dynamics, and visually striking storytelling. While the film focuses on the psychological power struggles between three women at the heart of early 18th-century British politics, many viewers are left asking: What war is in The Favourite? To fully appreciate the film’s depth and context, it’s essential to understand the geopolitical landscape of the time—specifically, the War of the Spanish Succession (1701–1714). This conflict forms an essential backdrop to the power plays, military funding decisions, and political intrigue that the characters navigate.
In this article, we will dive deep into the war referenced throughout The Favourite, explore how it influences the plot and character motivations, and analyze the ways in which the film uses historical events to create tension and thematic richness.
The War of the Spanish Succession: The Global Conflict Behind the Palace Walls
While The Favourite centers on the court of Queen Anne of Great Britain, the war looming over the film is the War of the Spanish Succession. This was one of the most significant European conflicts of the early 18th century, involving major powers such as Britain, France, Austria, the Dutch Republic, and Spain.
Origins of the War
The war began due to a dynastic crisis in Spain. When the childless King Charles II of Spain died in 1700, he named Philip, Duke of Anjou—grandson of French King Louis XIV—as his heir. This threatened to unite the French and Spanish crowns under the powerful Bourbon dynasty, disrupting the balance of power in Europe.
Other European powers, including the Holy Roman Empire and the Dutch Republic, feared that such a union would make France too dominant. In response, a Grand Alliance was formed to oppose French hegemony and support Archduke Charles of Austria as an alternative claimant to the Spanish throne.
Major Belligerents and Battlefronts
| Alliance | Key Members | Primary Objective |
|---|---|---|
| Grand Alliance (Anti-Bourbon Coalition) | Great Britain, Dutch Republic, Holy Roman Empire, Portugal, Savoy | Prevent unification of French and Spanish crowns; install Archduke Charles as King of Spain |
| Bourbon Alliance | France, Spain, Bavaria | Secure Philip of Anjou’s crown; expand Bourbon influence in Europe |
The war was fought across Europe—in the Low Countries (modern-day Belgium), Italy, Spain, and even at sea. It involved a series of decisive battles and sieges, such as the Battle of Blenheim (1704) and the Battle of Ramillies (1706), both of which were led by the British commander John Churchill—the real-life husband of Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough, a central character in The Favourite.
How the War Shapes The Favourite’s Political Intrigue
The War of the Spanish Succession isn’t shown directly in The Favourite through battlefield sequences. Instead, it operates as a constant, invisible force that shapes political decisions, funding debates, and relationships within Queen Anne’s court.
Military Funding as a Power Tool
One of the central political conflicts in the film involves debates over war funding. The Whig party, led by Sarah Churchill and her husband the Duke of Marlborough, supports continued British involvement in the war. The Tories, including key figures like Robert Harley (played by Nicholas Hoult), advocate for peace negotiations and a withdrawal from the costly conflict.
This tension plays out in scenes where Sarah, acting as Keeper of the Privy Purse and Mistress of the Robes, argues fiercely for allocating state funds to the war effort. Her position gives her leverage over financial decisions, tying her influence directly to wartime strategy.
In contrast, Abigail Masham (Emma Stone), who gradually rises in influence, aligns herself with the Tories and subtly undermines Sarah’s Whig agenda. By championing a peace-oriented policy, she wins favor with Queen Anne, who is increasingly weary of war and its human toll.
Key Insight: The war becomes less about military victory and more about controlling policy. Each courtier seeks to use the war—or opposition to it—as leverage to gain political dominance over rivals.
Queen Anne’s Personal Anguish and Public Responsibility
Queen Anne’s tragic personal life—particularly her numerous miscarriages and the death of her only surviving child, Prince William, Duke of Gloucester—is juxtaposed with the nation’s wartime sacrifices. While the film doesn’t explicitly mention soldiers dying overseas, there’s a pervasive sense of exhaustion, loss, and moral cost.
Anne’s emotional withdrawal from politics mirrors the national fatigue with conflict. The war’s expense burdens the country, while victories on the battlefield bring little personal comfort to the grieving monarch. This emotional conflict is pivotal: as Anne struggles with her health and sorrow, political figures vie to become her most “favourite”—her emotional and political confidante—so they can shape Great Britain’s stance in the war.
The Real Historical Figures and Their War Roles
To fully grasp the film’s historical authenticity, it’s important to examine the real people behind the characters and their involvement in the war.
Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough
Sarah Churchill (played by Rachel Weisz) was one of the most powerful women of her time. As Queen Anne’s closest friend and advisor, she exerted unparalleled influence over royal affairs. Her husband, John Churchill, was the commander of British forces during the war and orchestrated major victories.
Her commitment to the war was personal and political. With her husband on the frontlines, her continued advocacy for military funding helped secure Marlborough’s position and reinforced her own authority at court.
The film dramatizes this power dynamic by showing Sarah using stern, almost militaristic language when advising the queen—consistently pushing for “soldiers, not lace”—highlighting the priority of war over extravagance.
John Churchill, Duke of Marlborough
Although John Churchill never appears in person in The Favourite, his presence is felt throughout. Letters from the battlefield, news of victories, and discussions about troop movements all center on his role. In reality, the Duke of Marlborough was a national hero whose leadership in the War of the Spanish Succession elevated Britain’s status in European politics.
The Battle of Blenheim in 1704, one of his most famous triumphs, crippled French ambitions and directly led to the construction of Blenheim Palace—a symbol of his victories and royal gratitude.
Abigail Masham’s Rise and Political Realignment
Abigail Hill (later Masham), portrayed as a cunning social climber in the film, was historically a cousin of Sarah Churchill who entered the royal household through her patronage. Over time, she gained the queen’s trust and became a favored confidante—replacing Sarah in that role.
Historically, Abigail aligned with Robert Harley and the Tory faction, advocating for peace negotiations with France. This political shift mirrored and contributed to the decline of the Marlboroughs’ influence. As Britain grew tired of war, Harley and his allies successfully pushed for ending hostilities, culminating in the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713.
The film simplifies these events but preserves the core truth: Abigail’s allegiance to the Tories and her influence over the ailing queen helped shape the decision to seek peace, a move that effectively ended British involvement in the war.
Thematic Connections: Power, War, and Gender in The Favourite
While the War of the Spanish Succession provides the political context, The Favourite uses the conflict to explore broader themes such as power, influence, and the constraints placed on women in positions of authority.
War as a Metaphor for Personal Battle
The film draws a parallel between the geopolitical war and the emotional and psychological war waged between Sarah, Abigail, and Queen Anne. The fierce competition for the title of “favourite” mirrors military strategy: alliances are formed and broken, intelligence is gathered through spying, and victories are fleeting.
Sarah’s sharp tongue and commanding presence resemble those of a battlefield general. Abigail, on the other hand, uses deception, resilience, and emotional intelligence—tactics more akin to espionage than direct confrontation. Even Queen Anne becomes a strategic player, though her power is clouded by grief and incapacitating health issues.
Thus, the war outside the palace walls becomes a metaphor for the internal, intimate struggles within it. Each woman is fighting a separate battle—not over territory, but over access, affection, and authority.
Women in a Man’s World of War and Power
The early 18th century was a time when official power was almost entirely male-dominated. While men commanded armies and negotiated treaties, women like Sarah and Abigail exercised soft power—influence gained through personal relationships rather than official titles.
The film highlights how fragile this kind of authority is. Sarah’s power collapses not because of military failure, but because she loses emotional control over the queen. Abigail wins by playing the long game: she is attentive, nurturing, and—when necessary—manipulative.
This underscores a key truth: in a world where women couldn’t hold formal office, intimacy with the monarch was often the only path to real political influence. The question of “Who is the favourite?” becomes as consequential as any cabinet decision.
Accuracy vs. Artistic License: How The Favourite Handles History
While The Favourite draws from real events and figures, it is not a documentary. The film takes considerable liberties with character portrayals, timelines, and political details to serve its dramatic and satirical aims.
Timeline Compression and Dramatic License
For instance, the timeline of Abigail’s rise to power and Sarah’s fall is somewhat compressed in the film. Historically, their rivalry unfolded over several years, but the movie presents it as a rapid, intense conflict. The physical health of Queen Anne—while accurately reflecting her documented ailments—is exaggerated for dramatic effect, including scenes of her being wheeled around in a wheelchair, which is not historically verified.
Additionally, the film amplifies the sexual relationships between the women for dramatic and thematic impact. While historical evidence suggests Anne was emotionally close to both women, the explicit romantic portrayals are speculative.
Depiction of the War’s Impact
The film largely omits direct depictions of war’s consequences. There are no battle scenes, no returning soldiers, and little mention of public sentiment beyond aristocratic debates. This is both a limitation and a deliberate choice.
By keeping the war offscreen, the film emphasizes how insulated the royal court was from the realities of conflict. Decisions that affect tens of thousands are made over card games, romantic trysts, and petty insults. This disconnect underscores the absurdity and danger of elite power games.
The Treaty of Utrecht and the End of the War
The War of the Spanish Succession formally ended with the Treaty of Utrecht in 1713, though fighting continued in some regions until 1714. The treaty reshaped the map of Europe and marked a shift in global power dynamics.
Key Provisions of the Treaty
- Recognition of Philip V as King of Spain, but with the condition that he renounce any claim to the French throne, preventing a Franco-Spanish union.
- British territorial gains, including Gibraltar and Minorca (which remain British territories today), as well as trading rights in Spanish America.
- Recognition of the Protestant succession in Britain, securing the Hanoverian claim to the throne after Anne’s death.
- Reduction of French naval and military power in key regions.
For Britain, the treaty was a diplomatic and strategic victory. It marked the beginning of British ascent as a global maritime and colonial power.
Political Fallout at Home
The peace process weakened the Whig government and led to the downfall of the Marlboroughs. Sarah and her husband were dismissed from their court positions and eventually went into exile. Robert Harley became Lord Treasurer, and Abigail’s influence peaked—mirroring the film’s arc of shifting loyalties and power.
While the film ends before the treaty is signed, the final power transfer from Sarah to Abigail signifies the impending political change and the end of Britain’s warmongering phase.
Cinematic Significance: Why the War Matters in The Favourite
The War of the Spanish Succession isn’t just historical scenery—it is integral to the film’s critique of power, privilege, and the personal costs of political ambition.
A War That Never Appears, But Is Always Present
One of the genius aspects of The Favourite is how it uses absence to convey presence. We never see the war, but we feel its weight. It dictates parliamentary debates, determines funding, strains the queen’s patience, and fuels the competition between the women.
The distant sounds of cannon fire, mentioned offhandedly, remind us that choices made in dimly lit palaces have consequences far beyond the reach of the characters’ emotional dramas.
Power Beyond the Battlefield
The film makes a bold statement: real power isn’t always held by those with swords, but by those with access to the ear of the monarch. While generals lead armies, it is the favorites, advisors, and courtiers who decide whether wars are fought—or ended.
In this sense, The Favourite elevates domestic politics to the level of high-stakes warfare. Every whispered secret, every kiss, every argument over funding is a skirmish in a larger war for control.
Legacy and Reflection: Why Historical Context Enriches the Viewing Experience
Understanding the War of the Spanish Succession and its role in early 18th-century British politics transforms the way audiences interpret The Favourite. It’s not just a dark comedy about dysfunctional relationships—it’s a commentary on how personal desires intersect with national destiny.
Viewing the film through this lens reveals the gravity beneath the satire. The war backdrop serves as a reminder that while the characters play emotional games, real people are suffering and dying in the name of their decisions.
Moreover, it highlights the precariousness of influence, especially for women in patriarchal societies. Sarah, once all-powerful, is cast aside when she fails to adapt. Abigail, starting from nothing, becomes one of the most potent political forces in the land—not through birthright, but through cunning and proximity.
Final Thoughts: A War of Words, Not Weapons
So, what war is in The Favourite? The answer is the War of the Spanish Succession—but it is less a literal war and more a thematic anchor. It represents the clash of empires, the burden of leadership, and the way distant conflicts can ignite even more dangerous tensions within the human heart.
By grounding this intimate, psychological drama in real historical turmoil, The Favourite achieves a rare balance: it is both a biting satire and a poignant character study, enriched by the shadow of war that looms over every candlelit corridor and whispered confession.
Whether you’re a history buff, a film enthusiast, or someone drawn to stories of power and betrayal, understanding the war behind the gowns and wigs makes The Favourite all the more rewarding. It reminds us that behind every favorite, there’s a world of consequence waiting to unfold.
What war is referenced in The Favourite?
The war referenced in The Favourite is the War of the Spanish Succession (1701–1714), a major European conflict that forms the backdrop to the political intrigues depicted in the film. While the movie primarily focuses on the personal relationships between Queen Anne, Sarah Churchill, and Abigail Masham, the war is a constant undercurrent influencing governmental decisions and parliamentary debates. It involved a struggle between the major European powers over who would inherit the Spanish throne after the death of the childless King Charles II of Spain, with France and the Habsburg monarchy vying for dominance.
The Whig party, led in the film by Sarah Churchill’s husband, the Duke of Marlborough, strongly supported continuing the war, as it benefited Britain’s military and commercial influence. In contrast, the Tory party favored peace negotiations. This political divide plays a significant role in the film’s narrative, particularly as Abigail aligns herself with the Tories, enabling her rise to power. Though the war itself is not shown on screen, discussions about troop movements, casualties, and war funding illustrate how global events shaped the court’s internal power struggles.
How does The Favourite incorporate historical politics into its story?
The Favourite integrates historical politics by portraying the rivalry between the Whigs and Tories, two dominant political parties in early 18th-century Britain, through the competing influences of Sarah Churchill and Abigail Masham on Queen Anne. Sarah, a staunch Whig, pressures the queen to support military campaigns and maintain high taxes to fund the war effort, while Abigail gradually gains favor by advocating for peace and lower taxation, aligning with Tory ideals. These power shifts are not merely personal but reflect real changes in policy and government as historical factions vied to control royal decisions.
Factual figures like the Duke of Marlborough, a real-life military commander for the British forces during the War of the Spanish Succession, add authenticity. The film depicts parliamentary debates and political scheming that mirror actual historical tensions, especially as economic strain from prolonged war led to growing public dissatisfaction. By embedding these elements in the court drama, The Favourite transforms personal betrayal and ambition into a lens through which the complexities of early modern British governance are revealed.
Is Queen Anne portrayed accurately in The Favourite?
The portrayal of Queen Anne in The Favourite blends historical facts with artistic interpretation. Historically, Anne was Queen of Great Britain from 1702 to 1714 and oversaw the Acts of Union in 1707, which united England and Scotland into Great Britain. The film accurately reflects her poor health—she suffered from gout and possibly lupus—and her deep emotional reliance on close companions, particularly Sarah Churchill. However, the depiction of her as eccentric and emotionally volatile is exaggerated for dramatic effect and to underscore the manipulation occurring within the court.
While Anne’s relationships with Sarah and later Abigail were indeed influential, the film intensifies the drama and erotic tension beyond what historical records confirm. Her actual political role is sometimes underrepresented; Anne was more actively involved in governance than the film suggests, regularly attending cabinet meetings and making executive decisions. Nevertheless, the movie captures the essence of her reign’s vulnerability, where personal loyalties and political agendas intertwined, shaping the direction of national policy during a turbulent period.
What is the significance of the War of the Spanish Succession in the film’s plot?
The War of the Spanish Succession is crucial to The Favourite’s storyline because it provides the political context that motivates key characters’ actions. The financial and military demands of the war lead to high taxes and widespread discontent, creating a volatile environment in which courtiers jockey for influence. Sarah Churchill uses her connection to the Duke of Marlborough and her support for the war to maintain control over the queen and government policy, positioning herself as a champion of national strength and Whig ideology.
Conversely, Abigail Masham’s association with the peace-minded Tories gives her an alternative path to power. By appealing to the queen’s desire to end the costly war and reduce the burden on her subjects, Abigail undermines Sarah’s influence and rises in status. Thus, the war is not just background noise but a central driver of the film’s power dynamics, determining who wields influence at court and how personal ambitions are aligned with broader national interests and political factions.
How does The Favourite depict the role of women in political power during Queen Anne’s reign?
The Favourite highlights how women, despite lacking formal political office, could exert immense influence through personal relationships with monarchs. Sarah Churchill is shown as a de facto political advisor, managing correspondence, shaping policy discussions, and leveraging her intimacy with Queen Anne to control access to royal favor. This portrayal reflects historical accounts of Sarah’s real dominance over Anne in the early years of the reign, where she effectively acted as a gatekeeper to the throne and influenced ministerial appointments.
Abigail Masham similarly rises from obscurity by exploiting emotional access to the queen, demonstrating how women navigated patriarchal systems by mastering court politics and manipulation. Though neither held official authority, their control over the queen had tangible political consequences—shifting party alliances, altering foreign policy, and changing leadership. The film thus critiques the limitations placed on women in 18th-century politics while celebrating their ingenuity in wielding power indirectly, revealing the court as a gendered arena where intimate relationships could dictate national outcomes.
Were the relationships between Queen Anne, Sarah, and Abigail based on historical evidence?
The close and emotionally intense relationships among Queen Anne, Sarah Churchill, and Abigail Masham are historically documented, though the extent and nature of romantic or sexual involvement remain speculative. Correspondence from the period shows that Anne and Sarah shared an exceptionally intimate bond, with Anne referring to Sarah in tender terms and relying heavily on her counsel and companionship. Their relationship deteriorated over time, particularly as Anne resented Sarah’s domineering attitude and political pressure, creating an opening for Abigail to gain favor.
While historical records confirm Abigail’s rise from servant to royal confidante and Lady of the Bedchamber, the film dramatizes this transition and suggests physical intimacy between the women. Although no definitive proof of erotic relationships exists, historians acknowledge that emotional intimacy in such court relationships often involved physical affection that might align with modern understandings of queerness. The Favourite uses this ambiguity to explore themes of desire, manipulation, and emotional dependency, blending known facts with creative interpretation to deepen character motivation and psychological complexity.
How historically accurate is The Favourite overall?
The Favourite takes significant creative liberties while anchoring its narrative in real historical figures and events. The core characters—Queen Anne, Sarah Churchill, and Abigail Masham—existed, as did the political divisions between Whigs and Tories and the War of the Spanish Succession. The film’s depiction of Anne’s health issues, the court’s opulence, and the influence of favorites are all grounded in historical reality. However, many scenes, including the duck racing, the rabbit-filled chambers, and exaggerated physical comedy, are fictionalized or symbolic rather than factual.
The timeline and character motivations are compressed and stylized to serve the film’s satirical and dramatic aims. For example, the rivalry between Sarah and Abigail was more gradual and less overtly scandalous than shown. Despite these liberties, the film captures the essence of early 18th-century British court politics—the intersection of personal and political power, the influence of favoritism, and the weight of war on governance. As a work of historical fiction, it prioritizes emotional and thematic truth over strict accuracy, offering viewers a provocative, if not fully literal, insight into a pivotal era.