English aristocrat and politician Abigail Masham, Baroness Masham of Otes, was born in 1670 and died on this day in 1734. Born Abigail Hill, the daughter of a London merchant, she and her siblings grew up in poverty after the failure of her father’s business, and she became a servant for Sir John Hill of Kent. As a teenager, she sought the patronage of her elder cousin Sarah Churchill, Duchess of Marlborough, who offered her a role in her household. In 1702, Sarah’s childhood friend Queen Anne of Great Britain ascended the throne. Sarah became Anne’s chief adviser, exercising significant influence over government policy, advancing the Whig Party and effectively ruling the country during Anne’s many illnesses. Abigail followed Sarah into the Royal household, gradually befriending Anne with her compliant temper and mutual support of the Tory Party. In 1707, Abigail married Samuel Masham, a groom of the Royal bedchamber, in a private ceremony attended by the Queen, and later used her influence over the Queen to promote the political career of her cousin Robert Harley. By 1710, Abigail successfully supplanted Sarah as the Royal favourite, persuaded the Queen to dismiss her ministers. The following year, Sarah was banished from court, and Abigail succeeded her as keeper of the Royal purse. The Mashams were elevated to the peerage, becoming Baron and Baroness Masham of Otes, while Harley became Lord Treasurer. Abigail retained her influence at court until the Queen’s death in 1714. She subsequently left court life, retiring to her country estate in High Laver, dying in 1734 aged 64. The exact nature of Abigail’s relationship with the Queen has been extensively debated by historians and biographers, with widespread speculation that they were lovers. Abigail was played by Emma Stone in the 2019 film The Favourite, portraying a sexual power struggle between Sarah and Abigail for Queen Anne’s affections and political dominance.