So I've been thinking lately about Marlborough and the War of Spanish Succession. Specifically, about a disagreement he had with Prince Eugene of Savoy after Oudenarde. Marlborough wanted to strike fast, directly for Paris, while France was in disarray and its army broken; Prince Eugene insisted that they lay siege to Lille, and then a few other fortresses, leaving no French hostiles in their backfield. Prince Eugene carried the day. And the resulting casualties and delays convinced Louis he didn't really have to be too conciliatory at the negotiating table, while causing an uproar in Parliament.
I won't presume to second-guess either of those men, but what if Marlborough was correct, or at least managed to toss the dice well? What sort of deal can he get from Louis in late 1708 if he's standing in Paris?
I'm particularly interested in having him keep his estate in Mindelheim and the associated title, since Bavaria won't be in a position to argue this early. His falling out with Queen Anne is an inevitable slow-motion train wreck, but if he can retire to Mindelheim when he wants peace and quiet while being a court favorite in Vienna...long term, can we see the Churchill family move to the continent? How does that work out?