Hardwick Hall more glass than wall

Hardwick is built over three floors with the state rooms at the top. Bess’ quarters on the second floor and the reception rooms/servants quarters on the ground floor

The rise of the gentry(status)

On each of the three main floors, the height of the windows increased with the height of the building. This represented what Elizabethans thought was the divine plan for the universe

The rise of gentry (status)

The state rooms on the top floor show how Hardwick was built with royalty in mind, with the longest surviving Long Gallery in England included to host gatherings of nobility

A desire to impress Liz and show loyalty

Her household was relatively small for such a large house and was arranged like a miniture court with Bess at the centre

The rise of the gentry (Status)

Having several floors to showed an ability to pay for increasing heating costs

New technologies and building materials

All four sides of Hardwick Hall demonstrated the Elizabethan desire for symmetry balance and order. Instead of focusing inwards, the country homes could now show their symmetry on the outside

Peace and stability in England