How the design of Hardwick Hall reflects culture of the time

What was the Great Rebuilding?

A time when many stately homes and country houses were built during the Elizabethan period - this was also called building booms

What was the dissolution of the monasteries?

King Henry VIII forced the monasteries to close to support the newly formed Protestant England (through the Church of England)

What was the impact of the dissolution of the monasteries?

It created land and wealth for the gentry, leading the gentry to experience a rise in power

What happened after the monasteries were dissolved?

The land was sold, the buildings were broken down and the materials sold, the ornaments and valuable items inside were sold (and often only wrecks and remains are visible today)

When was Hardwick Hall built?

Between 1590 and 1597

Who owned Hardwick Hall?

Elizabeth Shrewsbury, also called Bess of Hardwick

Who built the house and gardens?

Sir William Cavendish

What is Chancery?

A division of the High Court of Justice

How did Bess buy Hardwick?

She bought it from Chancery for £9500 - worth £4 million today!

Why did Bess have to buy it from Chancery?

When Cavendish died (her husband), Bess’ brother fell into debt while in ownership of the house, so he was imprisoned and had to sell the house to the Crown

When did Bess remodel the house?

Between 1585 and 1590 by enlarging and reworking the house

What was Bess of Hardwick’s status?

Initially a member of the gentry, but promoted to a member of the nobility through her marriage to William St Loes

How many marriages did Bess have?

Four - it was her third that promoted her to a higher class. These marriages also gave Bess great wealth, especially the one to William St Loes

What was Bess’ final marriage?

To George Talbot (the Earl of Shrewsbury) - he owned agricultural land, coal mines, glassworks, iron foundries and ships. However, their relationship broke down in 1583, so Bess decided that she needed her own property

What was Bess’ relationship with the Queen like?

Although Elizabeth never visited Hardwick Hall on one of her royal progresses (as it was too far north), Elizabeth was relatively close to Bess and often supported her

What things did the Queen do for Bess?

She supported Bess when her marriage broke down, and entrusted Mary Queen of Scots to house arrest under the responsibility of Bess and Shrewsbury in 1569

How wealthy was Bess?

When Shrewsbury died in 1590, Bess became one of the richest women and people in England

What were Bess’ qualities?

She was hardworking, organised, a good businesswoman, intelligent and beautiful