Tomb effigy of Elizabeth Hardwick Countess of Shrewsbury
When Elizabeth Hardwick Countess of Shrewsbury died on 13th February 1608, the curtain fell on a most extraordinary life. Better known as ‘Bess of Hardwick’, she was approximately 80 years old, an outstanding achievement in itself. Not surprisingly, she was buried in great state at the Church of All Hallows in Derby {now Derby Cathedral}; her tomb epitaph rightly commemorates Bess’ remarkable legacy.
This astonishing woman possessed great character and genius; she was astute, acquisitive and very skilful. Bess could be extremely fiery and emotional but above all else, she was intensely ambitious for her children. She co-founded several glorious dynasties, which endured in the most spectacular fashion; she is the direct ancestor of Queen Elizabeth II.
Bess of Hardwick’s illustrious career spanned the monarchies of Henry VIII, Edward VI, Mary I, Elizabeth I and James I. She was undoubtedly the alpha female of her age and the counterpoint to ‘new men’ like Cecil, Wolsey, Cromwell and of course William Cavendish who all rose to prominence during the Tudor era as a consequence of their ability rather than their nobility.
When Bess died, she was probably the wealthiest woman in England, but things were once very different. Elizabeth was one of five children born into a relatively obscure family of the minor gentry who lived in a modest manor house, parts of which can still be seen amidst ruins, opposite the magnificent Hardwick Hall in Derbyshire. When her father died in 1528, Bess inherited a dowry of just over £26 so the young woman had to rely on her looks, her wits and and her skills in order to compete in a world dominated by men.
It was through her four marriages that Elizabeth improved her status, acquiring wealth and properties befitting a woman with her special talents.
When she was in her early teens, Bess was placed ‘in service’ within the household of Sir John Zouche. Whilst there, Elizabeth met and married the teenaged Robert Barlow, but the union was short-lived; Robert died within a few months of the marriage and Bess was granted the customary widows’ pension, which although modest, allowed her to support herself.
In 1547, the young widow married for a second time and what a spectacular marriage it was. She wed Sir William Cavendish in a ceremony that took place in the Grey’s family chapel, at Bradgate Manor in Leicestershire. Cavendish was successful, wealthy and respected at Court. Together, Sir William and Lady Elizabeth purchased and developed glorious properties in the East Midlands, including the renowned Chatsworth Estate. The marriage produced eight children but only six survived infancy and from them were descended the Dukes of Devonshire, Newcastle and Portland. Ten years later, Sir William Cavendish died unexpectedly. Bess was approximately 30 years old and was bequeathed considerable amounts of land and property.
In 1559, Lady Elizabeth married Sir William St. Loe, another respected Courtier and wealthy landowner. The marriage was childless and when he died in 1564, he left most of his estate to Bess.
The abandoned ruins of the Old Hall at Hardwick
Bess was now nearly forty and had outlived three husbands. Having gained in wealth and in business acumen, she was still very eligible and in 1568 made her fourth marriage to George Talbot the 6th Earl of Shrewsbury. By marrying Talbot, Bess added the title of Countess to her name and rose yet higher in social status. Shrewd to a fault, Bess cemented the union of the Hardwicks and the Talbots by arranging the marriage of two of her children to two of the Earl’s offspring. This triple alliance is commemorated in the inlaid table which stands in the High Great Chamber at Hardwick Hall.
George Talbot was of very high standing with Queen Elizabeth I. He had already been promoted to Lord Lieutenant of Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire by the time of the marriage. After acquitting his Court duties well, Elizabeth I entrusted him with the responsibility of keeping Mary Queen of Scots under house arrest. This arduous task lasted for the next fifteen years. These years were marred by intrigue and scandal amd proved too much of a strain on Bess and George’s marriage. By 1583, the couple were separated. In 1584, Talbot was finally relieved of his charge and a reconciliation of sorts was achieved through the intervention of the Queen.
George Talbot died in 1590, leaving Bess, now in her sixties, a widow for the fourth time. Having gained the Hardwick Estate from her bankrupt brother in 1581, she could now devote sufficient funds and all her considerable energies towards building the new Hall. This fabulous mansion was completed in 1597 as a testament to her wealth and status. It still stands, largely unchanged and contains a plethora of treasures, which Bess accumulated; the tapestries and embroideries, which were her joy and passion, have survived and are in remarkably good condition.
In the 18th century, the politician and English art historian Horace Walpole wrote of Bess:
‘Four times the nuptial bed she warmed,
And each time, so well performed,
That when each husband quit his billing,
He left the widow every shilling!’
Hardwick Hall in Derbyshire. The most complete and authentic Tudor mansion in all England
This blog was written by Paul Wiltshire and Claire Hill