In the design of great 18th-century houses comfort and convenience were subservient to magnificence,
and this is certainly the case at Blenheim. This magnificence over creature comfort is heightened as the
architect's brief was to create not only a home but also a national monument to reflect the power and
civilisation of the nation. To create this monumental effect, Vanbrugh chose to design in a severe
Baroque style, using great masses of stone to imitate strength and create shadow as decoration.