One of the side trips taken by some attending the Baptist World Alliance meeting in Birmingham, England, this summer was to Blenheim Palace. It is the grand early 18th century home of “His Grace the Duke of Marlborough.”

The 11th Duke and his family live there now. They have lots of big rooms and some very fancy furniture. The china collection was quite extensive as well.

Excuse me if I am not properly impressed — by the concept of royalty, that is, not by the stunning English baroque palace. Perhaps there is some jealousy on my part, or maybe I just bought what Baptist preachers told me over years — that the ground at the foot of the cross is exceedingly level.

Many people in and out of Great Britain are intrigued with royalty. Their interest seems to rise at weddings, funerals or coronations of someone of important lineage. Admittedly, the pomp and circumstance are attention getting.

The story of Blenheim Palace is an interesting one. It was started as a gift from Queen Anne to John Churchill, the first Duke of Marlborough, for his successful military leadership against the French.

However, visitors to Blenheim today seem focused more on the unplanned event of Nov. 30, 1874 — when Lady Randolph Churchill (an American first known as Jennie Jerome) was visiting relatives at the palace and prematurely delivered a baby boy she named Winston.

Stories of the Spencer-Churchill family unfolded throughout the tour. The art and architecture of Blenheim were impressive. Being born into such a noted family must be a heady experience.

The official tour ended — as all historical tours do — at the gift shop. After dropping a few pounds, visitors were free to stop by the private chapel and roam the expansive gardens. The chapel was interesting in that a huge memorial to the first Duke and Duchess occupied a large portion of the room. It dwarfed the pulpit and altar.

Our tour guide — not the official palace guide, mind you, but someone who traveled with us to Blenheim — noted that the massive family statue showed the Duke and Duchess along with their two sons that died young. Their daughters were not represented in the memorial.

When asked by one visitor why such an oversized family monument would be placed in a chapel, the guide replied wryly: “It just perpetuates their vanity.” Such an honest assessment was refreshing.

It was also refreshing to walk behind the palace and the formal gardens to the beautiful lake spotted by water lilies and surrounded by massive trees. Out there, beyond the opulence and self-congratulatory displays, was a simple boathouse.

Above its low entry was the warning: “Mind your head.”

The sign probably should be placed on the massive entry to the palace — and on all our doorways as well. Whether one carries a royal title or is an “unwashed commoner,” it a good and needed message.

If the Gospel tells us anything, it is that our value does not come from titles, wealth or even personal achievement. We are sinners saved by grace — all of us. Our value comes from being daughters and sons of God.

It is important that we treat all persons with that kind of respect — and that we are careful to “mind our heads” when tempted to think of ourselves as more important than others.

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