The Original Iron Lady - Clementine Churchill

She was the wife of one of Britain's greatest Prime Ministers, but who was she beyond that? Let's talk about Clementine Hozier Spencer-Churchill.
Credits at the end of the video.
Thank you for watching!

[@littlesleights]

Hi everyone, Alanna here! I never expected this video or my channel to get any kind of views. This was a fun way for me to do something I'd always been interested it, which was learn about the lives of unsung people of history. This actually all started with a fascination for Desiree Clary of all people! There are, however, errors in this video, including an incorrect date of death for Mr. Churchill and using the wrong name for their son, Randolph. I hope to fix them when I can sit down and find the time as well as add closed captions. I apologize for the misinformation and urge you as well to view these videos as a jumping off point for further exploration into the people I speak on if you're interested! Thank you for viewing this video.

[@cassandraralph5906]

I thought this video was very helpful and educational! I learned so much today. Clementine Churchill was a woman very much ahead of her time, she was the perfect helpmate for Winston Churchill, without losing her identity and personal life, heart and mind in the process. Thank you so much indeed, and well done!

[@cassandraralph5906]

We will make mistakes, but however I would encourage you to have a correctly written script in front of you when you record your videos for your KZbin channel, that should prevent you making any further mistakes.

[@colinhalliley111]

You have a lovely narrating voice. Nice diction and tonal voice. Very well done .

[@angelahartley3212]

I personally do not feel she was unsung as she did exactly as she wished.

[@angelahartley3212]

We are all human! Its ok

[@shengyi1701]

That’s why Winston said that his greatest achievement was persuading his wife to marry him! I admire Winston for his not giving up approach to life!

[@noneofurbusiness5223]

I love how you talked about her role/job - being a wife. Kudos to Winston. He LISTENED to her. Many men today don't listen.

[@ulrikjensen6841]

You cannot compare any man to a politician (and his wife)

[@presidentxijinpingspoxdoct9756]

I only listen if women have anything interesting to say.

[@marymosher29]

Excellent documentary on a great lady. You are a gifted narrator. I really enjoyed learning more about Clementine. Thank you!🙂

[@helendurow8211]

Just dawned on me : the Spencer/Diana connection!!! Thanks !!❤❤

[@rosebudadkins6803]

And me. I am related to both women. Through the Spencer line a very old well heeled family…….better breeding than the so called…….royals! Diana injected class into those inbred anemic bloodlines.

[@alanaadams7440]

She was also related to the famous Milford family

[@cassandraralph5906]

This video was hugely interesting and educational! I learned so much about Clementine Churchill. I read a biography about her in my early teenage years, I found it very interesting and enlightening, but I never knew just how difficult and painful her childhood was, all because of her extremely selfish and prideful parents. It's often just one person who can change the course of another's life and heart by simply encouraging, caring and loving them unconditionally. Thank you so much indeed! Well done indeed!

[@judithmcbride4023]

Thank you so much! A beautiful story! Very interesting and informative.

[@2anthro]

You chose a formidable, influential woman for your video. She was a warrior, public servant for her country as sure as Winston was. Well done presentation.

[@TheBaz1944]

A truly amazing woman.

[@weikwanglee4383]

Most informative. Thank you. Churchill was my father's hero. I grew up reading Churchill books. This added a lot to my understanding of this great man.

[@barbarahalkyard1901]

You must lead a very boring life . There was nothing great about Churchill. He was a fat overweight privileged man. Who lived a celebrity lifestyle. While the real heroes where on the battlefield. Giving their lives for others.

[@johnspizziri1919]

That was a great show. Thank you!

[@hermanirishman4525]

I'm reading a biography of this remarkable woman and I can testify that your documentary is well-researched and balanced. Thank you!

[@johngore7744]

That was great. As a man with 3 daughters I encouraged my girls to be strong and be heard. The men in those days were mostly pretty useless except at their industries (jobs) perhaps even more so other high classes. But it was a very different world. She was incredible. I’m a Montrealer who’s family came from England in the 1910s (I’m 61) and when I visited family over there we went to Chartwell and did a tour of the house and there was ton about ‘Clemmy’. It was beautiful. Another strong leaders wife ( or leader herself ) was Eleanor Roosevelt. I’m sure you know. I think I saw a pic of her with Clementine at some point in the video. Thanks well done.

[@markrossow6303]

yes Eleanor Roosevelt Roosevelt -- crucial to FDR's career + legacy 1 book is "FDR : the man he would become" for the earlier part of their story

[@ronti2492]

Dear Little Sleights,thankyou for your wonderful and very well scripted video! As one book, I think written by William Manchester, an Amercian, called Sir Winston, 'The last lion' in its title, so too one could, I think, truly say that Lady Clementine was the 'last lioness'. At its heart, this is a story of love, loyalty ,and devotion. The circumstances of their lives, spanning horse and carriage to Apollo missions was unique to its time, yes, but their love is really something timeless. Truly the power behind the throne...

[@littlesleights]

This comment is amazing, thank you so much!

[@katesleuth1156]

I love how she spoke up to General de Gaulle after his rude comment to Winston.

[@annerfrancis]

And in perfect , flawless French! Vastly superior to Winston's.

[@EllieD.Violet]

Was this before or after De Gaulle vetoed the UK's application to the EEC? 😎

[@apollonia-ava]

@@EllieD.VioletLol 😂I think that happened a few times 🎉

[@myboibill]

This was a really insightful and well made video. Glad I watched this.

[@s.h.741]

Clementeeeeene, she always pronounced her name the way the French pronounce it, not the American way.

[@fraseredk7433]

Interesting. Didn't know that.

[@markrossow6303]

we have 'Winston & Clementine : the personal letters of the Churchills'

[@markrossow6303]

at 14:44, at our left, Eleanor Roosevelt Roosevelt

[@auntiegliz737]

It's the British way. The French way is similar to cluh-mawn-teen.

[@mariaeventine5161]

Thank you, a very interesting account, so much so I will read her biography.

[@namewitheld2568]

If you enjoyed this I suggest reading "The Splendid and the Vile". Fantastic diary accounts of diaries kept during 1940 to 1941 by the Churchill's and their inner circle. She is well represented and the book presents a wonderful picture of their parntership. They adored and respected each other.

[@pamostman516]

I read this book a few months ago and even though I've read a lot regarding the Blitz I was enthralled by diary entries of those involved and it really made that era come alive.

[@davidvidgen2879]

​@@pamostman516b😮

[@phyllislovelace8151]

ThNk you for this vignette, much appreciated

[@carontownsend9890]

Great documentary and Lady Churchill was a wonderful woman. There were gaffes at Potsdam etc post war but the real reason Churchill lost the 1946 election was that life for the general UK population completely changed during the war and the people wanted more. The Conservative Party and Churchill represented a pre war society of deference and hardship. However most working class people continued to have great respect for Churchill himself and he was their hero for his war leadership. His funeral which I saw as a child was most moving and I remember it to this day. The footage of the dockworkers along the Thames bowing the great cargo cranes in respect as his funeral cortege passed still brings me to tears. You can probably find footage of it on You Tube.

[@dr.calebrobbins.3177]

" Behind Every Great Man Is A Great Woman " ... It sounds trite but in this instance is a perfect example. Reading of Churchill 's immediate impressions of ' Clemmy ' , speaks of his need for a partner POSSESSED of an inner and independent strength of character. One only had to look fwd. her interests , political and private. At a time when those characteristics were not considered attractive in a woman of her social background. She would have had to have such attributes in order to survive mentally in a partnership with Churchill 's personality. No marraige is smooth sailing from beginning to end. Clementine is one of my favourite historical personalities. When one looks at images of the woman her inner strength is apparent. She was indeed far, far more than simply a Society matron. She was also, I believe, her husband's best friend.

[@sidney5382]

She is such a beautiful woman in many ways.

[@joansavage1857]

Thank you! This was so interesting…..

[@anncorsaro1895]

Very well done! Respectful with great insight 👍🏻

[@elizabethbower2168]

This is an extremely interesting informative video… Many thanks for sharing it with us

[@cathylee6318]

Thank you for this wonderful video.

[@helenyoung8012]

Thank you for this potted history. Clementine Churchill has long been a heroine of mine. As you say she has been very much underestimated but was very much the power behind the throne!!

[@MillanaSnow]

Really enjoyed this! Will be watching the other videos you made! Thank you ☺️

[@editam5226]

Great job, very interesting! Thank you so much 😊👏👏👏

[@theobolt250]

Amor vincit omnia. Deep respect for thise wise and loving woman.

[@barbararupert4774]

Love your interpretation of these two amazing people!!

[@redundantcow]

So educational! Thank you 😊

[@soniatriana9091]

Thank for sharing this video, it was extremely informative & inspiring! It’s incredibly important to realize how “just one moment in time - can completely change the world”!! As we are constantly living in this “Intense State of Insanity & Insecurity”! Winston Churchill & Clementine’s mutual decision to marry - was that “moment in time” because together they changed the course of history!!

[@davidarundel6187]

Very interesting, full of information, said & unsaid. Thankyou for this presentation. Namaste 🙏 💟

[@suziel6588]

I am a baby boomer...1956. My father and grandfather always talked about England and the war. My grandfather said they were married the year he was born. They both said they were very much in love. My grandmother told me she was a suffragette. My husband was surprised when my father told him I quoted flawlessly from a love letter from Winston Churchill wrote to his wife in grade three...it was a short paragraph...anyway for our tenth anniversary he bought me the volume of letters by permission of his granddaughter...I re read it quite often as it is both history and love...I will continue to watch for your postings ✌

[@kimworkman2425]

Very impressive Video. Excellent presentation

[@torgeirbrandsnes1916]

Hats off to you mam`! A very good job you did on this vlog! Excellente work indeed! If you are a a Sir Winston nerd as I am, I will recomend a 7 or 8 part tv-series here on YT. . It is called «Churchills shadow» It is his body guard telling his story from 1911-1955. Very good documentary. Greetings from Norway!

[@skyeseaborn1170]

Well done!

[@TDMSmith51]

Thank you for an informative and entertaining presentation. “Mis-speaking” happens to all of us. I hope you continue to gift us with videos like this. I also encourage you to learn the local pronunciation of names and places. To me that is a true sign of respect for individuals and communities.

[@user-ww9lk3rj2e]

A most admirable woman ❤

[@crouserm]

Wonderful video. Thank you so much for telling the story of us people.

[@annmolloy8600]

I am pretty sure that their son was Randolph, named after his grandfather Randolph Churchill who had famously married American Jenny Jerome, Winston’s mother.

[@willhovell9019]

Excellent concept and history from women's perspective . The pronouncation of the first name and surname of CH very American . Their son was called Randolph , like his Grandfather.government minister Conservatives/ Tories are NOT radicals, but Churchill was a Liberal party politician for a time. Britain is not England and shouldn't be used interchangeably. Like Mrs Bevin she was a great influence on her husband. Churchill lost the 1945 election as troops voted for social change .

[@virginiasoskin9082]

Excellent photos -- Clementine was indeed a force of nature. Her name was pronounced Clemen-teen not Clemen-tyne. I always forget that too -- Americans are so used to hearing the song, "Oh my darling Clemen-tyne..."

[@user-lk6oj4bu1k]

Loved that thank you❤

[@misspurrr-fect3684]

She was also a cousin of the Mitford sisters

[@johnvaleanbaily246]

This should have been checked before being put online - Churchill's son was called Randolph not Randall ! Also, he served with the 6th Royal Scots Fusiliers on the Western Front, not the Grenadier Guards.

[@susanq4282]

What a great idea! Keep them coming❤️

[@nonosays]

Clementine or ClemenTEEN, she was a formidable woman of compassion, taste and spirit. We are all in her debt.

[@annchadwick4613]

Superb video Thank you

[@lindamcgough3645]

Well, this was delightful! Thank you.

[@brendadrew834]

Fascinating story and some facts I didn't know about, but had heard about her while growing up in the 1950s, born in 1948 just after WW2 so thank you! BTW, do you mean "Little Slights" spelled with no "e"? lol Also, Churchill's mother was an American wealthy socialite, Jennie Jerome Churchill who was born in Brooklyn, NY! You can watch a hit award winning television mini series about that here on KZbin 'Jennie' starring the late beautiful American actress Lee Remick made in the early 1980s.

[@lindawilliams9880]

Excellent presentation, looking forward to finding more from this lady.

[@Anna-tj7mp]

Haha I am reading Mary Soames biography of Clementine. What a wonderful woman.

[@pamostman516]

Hello Alanna. I just found your channel this morning and have really enjoyed the videos I have watched so far. You are doing a great job and you make little known history very interesting. Thank you for your hard work.

[@robertdemitro1520]

Beautiful story !

[@elizabethannegrey6285]

Very interesting. An indomitable lady. 👏👏👏

[@markrossow6303]

at 14:40, she means 'A Triumph" in the ancient Roman sense -- a public parade to show of a great hero to the Capital City

[@visualdog]

Thank you for your interesting documentary about a woman most of us know little about. Very well done and clearly hard work to find the revealing anecdotes and photos. It usually requires an entire company to do the work you've done on your own!

[@jillkursner6494]

She was a amazing woman. A perfect partner for such a brilliant,complex, man as Winston Churchill.

[@sarahhudleston832]

Really inciteful doccie!

[@dorabastable7028]

Thanks for the pictures and narrative. Some facts are not quite accurate, but overall a good overview. BTW: Her name is pronounced Clemen-teen, not tine.

[@colinbaldwin8769]

Fantastic video. They were true soul mates.

[@craigbenz4835]

Worth a subscription.

[@soniatriana9091]

@cassandraralph5906 You comments were very true, about how just one person can change the course of another person’s life. My comment on this video said something similar in regards how just one moment can change the course of the world.history. This was a great video, I now need to read/learn more about the both Winston & Clementine Churchill!

[@deanjacobs1766]

She made the most of what was given to her, dealt with her past issues and by all appearances she conquered them. Her marriage to Winston was a success and a proof that a good man will go much farther in life if he has a good woman by his side. She was his better half the missing part that made him whole. And one wonders if without her Winston would have played the important role that he played.

[@angelacalcutt8908]

Behind every great man is a great woman. Without Clementine history might have been so horribly different.

[@ruthannbishop9325]

Yet again women fulfill their roll as leadership behind ..great man...and does strength ....that defines term leadership ...ability guide support..be arrogant yet humility..respect if conflict..move forward yet stay behind..never get credit till..after..boss has their shine....and whom be remember the forefront but define history ..the one who is iron horse....

[@JanicefromKansas]

Hello from Kansas 🇺🇸

[@CrowIIII]

At 8:26, the narration lists three children: “Randall, Sarah, and Marigold.” But it was “Randolph,” wasn’t it?

[@littlesleights]

Yes, it is Randolph. The sad thing was, I recorded this about 4 times and kept making the same mistake, to the point where I didn't even notice it'd made it into the final cut because it sounded right by then 😭. My apologies, Randolph Churchill!

[@thedowagerd.2431]

@@littlesleights Randolph was married to Pamela Digby Churchill Hayward Harriman.

[@pennydreadful5217]

​​@@thedowagerd.2431she went round s went round the block a bit

[@elizabethcamillo7641]

Churchill was First Lord of the Admiralty during WWI and lost favour as, amongst other things, he was responsible for the Gallipoli disaster which saw Australian and New Zealand troops slaughtered. The soldiers were deployed to the wrong areas under the directions of the British and were gunned down by the Turks. This failed military campaign is commemorated by Australia and New Zealand every year since the end of WWI to honour the bravery of the young men who were only about 19 years old. This is a huge military campaign disaster and I'm surprised you didn't research this better and is a major reason Churchill was demoted.

[@sparklemotion8377]

What were they doing in Turkey?

[@billstory8034]

It is unfortunate a more apropos voice was not used for the video. Hopefully the content will hold up it's end.

[@markrossow6303]

recommend 'Winnie and Clementine : the personal letters of the Churchills'

[@Valhalla88888]

Clementine was from Dundee in Scotland ❤

[@tedgebregzi3832]

Sad story though,you can’t imagine that this will happen to these people.

[@WNYfellow]

I have no idea why you erased my comment - but keep up the good work; it's a great channel.

[@sondrasmith-rr4mw]

My great grandmother was 1st cousin to winston

[@michaelmullin3585]

Winston nearly drove her crazy with HIS personality disorders. She had her own nervous neuroses and she was difficult.

[@littlesleights]

From what I read, yep. Clementine had a lot going on herself and could be very hard sometimes. I believe one of her daughters called her 'high strung.'

[@Elainerulesutube]

Winston Churchill suffered from depression.

[@excaliburironforce9908]

​@@Elainerulesutube a alcoholic only has a opportunity to escape depression if they stop drinking😓

[@lindakay9552]

Is Churchill a very common name? Cause I have a 5th great grandma who's name was Lucy Churchill. She was born in 1801 in Maine. I literally cannot Google her name without it bringing up Info about Winston Churchill. I thought I had finally found a video about a Churchill not related to him.

[@2012photograph]

Winston Churchill wife knew King of England that suprise.

[@go2yourself]

❤👍🏾🙌🏿

[@tedgebregzi3832]

I simply like them

[@FigaroHey]

6:22. I think you will find that Winston Churchill was a Prime Minister, not a 'war correspondent' during the Second World War. (Between 1895 and 1900, Churchill covered wars of empire in Cuba, India's North-West Frontier, the Sudan, and South Africa as a correspondent for several London newspapers.) This is history is very weird. You have them meeting when Churchill is in Parliament having ALREADY become known for being a war correspondent long before the First World War. But then you're far into their marriage, their children, their political arguments and Clementine's role in balancing her husband politically... and then announce that 'all this would change' with the outbreak of World War I (10:00). What is the chronology here? Also, Churchill's children were RANDOLPH (not 'Randall'), Diana, Mary, Sarah and Marigold.

[@patricialepart-boulet8691]

Derrière les grands hommes il y a souvent ( toujours ?) Une ’ grande ’ femme !

[@misiasert1348]

I remember when they announced her death back when I was a kid...

[@31terikennedy]

I hear Clemmy's sweet, soft feminine voice wafting through the house as Churchill returned home from a hard day at work: Winston, Winston! You derned fool! Why don't you listen to ME?!!!

[@sphinxtheeminx]

General Hastings Ismay is the name of Churchill's Chief of Staff at the Ministry of Defence, and Secretary of the Imperial Defence Council. 'Pug' was his nickname and he was never referred to as 'Pug Ismay' as you mention here - except in very private circles.

[@littlesleights]

Interesting! The source I pulled from for that part referred to him as Pug Ismay. With what you said in mind, this was probably trying to create a greater sense of intimacy for the reader. Thank you for letting me know about this.

[@sphinxtheeminx]

@@littlesleights If you ever do a follow-up on Mrs Churchill and her dedication to her husband, I would be interested to see you cover her reaction to his war crimes and the abuse of power he wielded on the working class. The blue collar average working person despised him.

[@jaycatcat8929]

Uh, there’s no way Winston Churchill was a war correspondent in WWII in 1904. Many errors in this narrative, as others have pointed out. It’s a shame because Clementine’s story deserves to be heard.

[@littlesleights]

Hi! I'm actually saying 'he had gained prominence as a war correspondent during the second BOER war.' I will be working on closed captions soon and hope to clear this up, thank you for pointing it out.

[@johno6246]

Its Okay its a small error.She should have said WW1.Otherwise its quite an interesting video.

[@Leebearify]

Does anyone have a really good biography of Clementine that they can recommend? I think this lady is amazing and I would love to learn more about her. Thanks

[@tamidmiller4348]

Clementine: The Life of Mrs. Winston Churchill Sonia Purnell. Excellent!!

[@brazillady5119]

@@tamidmiller4348, I second the recommendation of this book.

[@s.h.741]

Her daughter Mary Soames wrote a brilliant book about her, Sonia Purnell took much material from there. I can also recommend Mary's book about her father.

[@richardmiranda640]

First came The Great War, The War to End All wars. In 1939 came The Second World War.

[@evennorthug2585]

Didn't the couple also have a dog? The Iron Dog :D

[@GavinsMarineMom]

Clemin-TEEN.....I just can't get past the mispronounciation of the subject's name. A very big faux pas. 😢😮

[@timothyh.champion8885]

Randall? A son named Randall??!!

[@chrisw6704]

But was she the original Iron Lady? Both Mary 1 and Elizabeth 1 surely have a claim to that. For political spouses then would Margot Asquith qualify?

[@littlesleights]

You just sent me on a deep dive on Margot Asquith and this lady was wild, thank you so much.

[@chrisw6704]

​ @Little Sleights I think it would also be good to consider Queen Mary, consort of George V as an Iron Lady. A woman who put duty and preserving the monarchy above all else. She was initially engaged to the eldest son of Edward Vll, he died and she married his younger brother, she saw herself as chosen to be a consort and love had nothing to do with. She was the backbone of reforming the monarchy during the First World War moving it from country houses and pursuits to meeting the people, she saw her eldest son abdicate and the death of her son King George Vl and his brother the Duke of Kent and was the guiding influence of the current Queen. Here is a documentary kzbin.info/www/bejne/a4TNo4Z7jM6LpQ you may also find clips from The Crown kzbin.info/www/bejne/aZ-8i6V7bKZ1q68

[@marilynwoolford-chandler1161]

You have to wonder whatever else this Commentator gets inaccurate , given that she seems to pronounce her focus’s name correctly. I don’t think I can listen to any more….,

[@elsamere]

Remarkable woman. However, her name was pronounced “ Clemen-teen”.

[@henrygingold6549]

"Baroness"?

[@isabelrogerson5350]

Why can’t people get it right? England is not synonymous with Great Britain. The British were at war not the English. England is one country, one part of the countries making up Great Britain. You would think that educated filmmakers would be able to get it correct.

[@ifeelfine4]

Its a shame you get factual details wrong, like the day he passed away was 1/24 not 1/14 & his son's name is Randolph not Randall. Makes me wonder about everything else that is spoken about....

[@littlesleights]

Like I said in another comment, this episode went through many recordings. Some things slipped through due to how tired I was by the end of it. But yes, I absolutely encourage you to do further research! My videos are not meant to be comprehensive.