Elizabeth Talbot, Countess of Shrewsbury , known as Bess of Hardwick, a notable figure of 16th century Elizabethan English society. By a series of well-made marriages, she rose to the highest levels of English nobility and became enormously wealthy. She was married four times, firstly to Robert Barlow, who died in his teens; secondly to the courtier Sir William Cavendish; thirdly to Sir William St Loe; and lastly to George Talbot, 6th Earl of Shrewsbury, sometime keeper to the captive Mary, Queen of Scots. An accomplished needlewoman, Bess joined her captive charge, Queen Mary Stuart, at Chatsworth House for extended periods in 1569, 1570, and 1571, during which time they worked together on the Oxburgh Hangings. In 1601, Bess ordered an inventory of the household furnishings including textiles at her three properties at Chatsworth, Hardwick and Chelsea, which survives, and in her will she bequeathed these items to her heirs to be preserved in perpetuity. The 400-year-old collection, now known as the Hardwick Hall textiles, is the largest collection of tapestry, embroidery, canvaswork, and other textiles to have been preserved by a single private family. Bess is also well known for her building projects, the most famous of which are: Chatsworth, now the seat of the Dukes of Devonshire (whose family name is still "Cavendish", because they are descended from the children of her second marriage), and Hardwick Hall, which inspired the rhyme, "Hardwick Hall, more glass than wall", because of the number and size of its windows. She died 13 February 1608, having reached, and possibly exceeded, the age of 80. She was interred in a vault in Derby Cathedral, also known as All Saints Cathedral, where there is a memorial to her. Early life "Bess of Hardwick" was born "Elizabeth Hardwick," the daughter of John Hardwick of Derbyshire and Elizabeth Leeke, daughter of Thomas Leeke and Margaret Fox. Although Richardson suggests she was born c.1521 the exact year of her birth is unknown and some authors place it as late as 1527. The family lived on an estate of about 5,000 acres (20 km2) in the parish of Ault Hucknall on the north-east border of the county, looking over Nottinghamshire. John Hardwick died around forty years of age, leaving a widow, son (and heir), and four daughters. His widow, Elizabeth, then married the son of a neighbouring family, the Leches (Leach) of Chatsworth. Bess grew up fairly educated, as compared to her female peers of the Elizabethan Era, as indicated by her later letters. She also became familiar with city life and the Tudor Court after being sent to live in the London household of Anne Gainsford of Codnor Castle Derbyshire at the age of twelve. Here, she was influenced by Lady Zouche, although evidence connecting her with the Zouche family dates from the late seventeenth century and not before. Also, her marrying life now began. First marriage While in London, Bess contracted the first of four marriages, in 1534, with the 13-year-old Robert Barlow, heir to a neighbouring estate, and became Elizabeth Barlow. It is thought that the couple lived at his ancestral manor house, Barlow Woodseats Hall, before his death in Dec 1545. The marriage was never consummated because of their youth and Robert's sickly health. As Robert's widow, Bess was entitled to one-third of the revenues of the Barlow estate. Second marriage On 20 August 1547, Bess married the twice-widowed Sir William Cavendish, Treasurer of the King's Chamber, and became Lady Cavendish. The wedding took place at two in the morning, at the home of the Grey family, friends of the Cavendish duo. Sir William was more than twice Bess's age and the father of two daughters. His fortune had been made by the dissolution of monasteries; as an official of the Court of Augmentations, he was able to select choice properties for himself. Possibly acting on Bess's advice, Sir William sold his lands in the south of England and bought the Chatsworth estates in her home county of Derbyshire. Eight children were born of the marriage, two of whom died in infancy: Frances Cavendish (18 June 1548 - January 1632), wife of Henry Pierrepont. Temperance Cavendish (10 June 1549 - 1550), died in infancy. Henry Cavendish (17 December 1550 - 28 October 1616); he left several illegitimate issue. William (27 December 1552 -- 3 March 1626). Charles Cavendish (28 November 1553 - 4 April 1617). Elizabeth Cavendish (31 March 1555 -- 21 January 1582), wife of Charles Stuart, 1st Earl of Lennox. Mary Cavendish (January 1556 - April 1632), wife of Gilbert Talbot, 7th Earl of Shrewsbury. Lucrece Cavendish (born and died 1556), probably twin of Mary. Attribution: Article text available under CC-BY-SA Public domain image source in video

• published: 13 Nov 2013
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