Hardwick Hall

• Hardwick Hall


  Hardwick Hall, in Derbyshire, is an example of an Elizabethan country house. It was built between 1590 and 1597 for Elizabeth Hardwick, Countess of Shrewsbury, known as Bess of Hardwick.
• What type of person was Bess of Hardwick?

  Intelligent and ambitious
• Who were some of Bess of Hardwick's influential friends?

  William Cecil, Robert Dudley, Sir Francis Walsingham
• How did Queen Elizabeth feel about Bess of Hardwick?

  She respected and liked her greatly
• What was the impact of Shrewsbury's death on Bess of Hardwick?

  She became extremely wealthy with properties
• What did Bess of Hardwick do with her wealth?

  Invested and increased her fortune
• What types of farming contributed to Bess's wealth?

  Arable, sheep, and cattle farming
• What raw materials did Bess's mines and quarries provide?

  Lead, bricks, and glass
• How did Bess of Hardwick approach investing in other people's projects?

  She ensured they had land to secure loans
• What was Bess of Hardwick's strategy for loaning money?

  To ensure borrowers had property to sell
• What did Queen Elizabeth say about Bess of Hardwick?

  She loved her more than any other lady
• Who was Bess of Hardwick?

  Elizabeth, known as Bess
• When was Bess of Hardwick born?

  Around 1527
• What was Bess of Hardwick's approach to business?

  She was a good businesswoman
• What was the practice for lower gentry teenagers in Tudor times?

  They lived with richer families
• How did Bess of Hardwick ensure her investments were secure?

  By checking borrowers had land or property
• Who might Bess have lived with after her father's death?

  The great Derbyshire family headed by Sir John Zouche
• Who did Bess marry after Robert Barlow?

  Sir William Cavendish
• What happened to Bess after Robert Barlow died?

  She became a widow with money
• When did Bess marry Sir William Cavendish?

  In 1547
• What did Bess inherit after Sir William Cavendish's death?

  A large estate at Chatsworth
• What was Bess's situation after marrying Sir William Cavendish?

  She had a large estate but also debts
• Who was Bess's third husband?

  Sir William St Loe
• What was notable about Sir William St Loe?

  He was a favourite courtier of Queen Elizabeth I
• When did Sir William St Loe die?

  Around 1565
• Who did Bess marry in 1567?

  George Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury
• What was George Talbot's status?

  Head of one of the oldest families in England
• What types of properties did George Talbot own?

  Farmland, coal mines, glassworks, and ships
• What caused problems in Bess and George Talbot's marriage?

  Money and guarding Mary, Queen of Scots
• What happened to Bess and George Talbot's marriage by 1584?

  It had broken down completely
• What did Bess buy in 1583?

  The manor house at Hardwick
• How did George Talbot's behaviour affect his marriage with Bess?

  His erratic behaviour contributed to difficulties
• What did Bess do to Hardwick from 1585 to 1596?

  Enlarged and remodelled the property
• When did George Talbot die?

  In 1590
• What was Bess's financial status after George Talbot's death?

  She was one of the richest people in England
• What did Bess plan to do after George Talbot's death?

  Build a larger and grander house
• What were the key events in Bess of Hardwick's marriages?

  1. Married Robert Barlow, widowed after 18 months
  2. Married Sir William Cavendish, inherited debts
  3. Married Sir William St Loe, a courtier
  4. Married George Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury, faced marital issues
• What were the financial and property implications of Bess's marriages?

  • Inherited estates and debts
  • Acquired wealth through marriages
  • Remodeled and expanded properties
  • Became one of England's richest women
• Who designed Hardwick Hall for Bess of Hardwick?

  Robert Smythson
• What were Bess of Hardwick's main ideas for Hardwick Hall's design?

  Symmetry, height, and light