Like many at James's court, Petre at first trusted Lord Sunderland, but he was also among the first to detect that minister's duplicity and to break with him.

Lord Sunderland also served as Lord Lieutenant of Staffordshire during the minority of Lord Shrewsbury until 1681.

At first, King William III excepted Lord Sunderland from the Indemnity Act of 1690, but by 1691, he was allowed to return to the country.

"You are free ... Lord Sunderland," he said, and something went through Drake's eyes as he held Gabriel's gaze.

Lord Sunderland was killed at the Battle of Newbury in September of the same year.

A generous selection of his manuscripts were purchased by Lord Sunderland for the library at Blenheim Palace, which was dispersed in turn in the nineteenth century.

Lord Sunderland's brother John Spencer was elected to Parliament in Blandford's place on 22 January 1732.

Lord Sunderland's power began to wane in 1719.

Lord Sunderland retained a degree of personal influence with George until his sudden death in 1722 allowed the rise of Sir Robert Walpole.

By his marriage with Dorothy Spencer, he was brother-in-law to Lord Sunderland; despite the family tie the two men were bitter and lifelong political opponents.