Bess of Hardwick

Elizabeth Hardwick (Bess of Hardwick as she is known) was born at Ault Hucknull, Hardwick, Derbyshire, England sometime in the year 1521.

Bess was born into quite a big family, 4 girls and 1 boy. They were quite poor. Her father, John Hardwick, died when she was quite young and she grew up without really knowing anything about him. The only thing he left in his will was a small amount of money for his daughters' weddings.

Bess's mother, Elizabeth Leake, remarried Ralph Leeche, a young son of the Leeches of Chatsworth.

At the age of 12, Bess went into service at a wealthy Derbyshire family, Sir John and Lady Zouche, at Codnor Castle. In London, when she was first in service, she met her first husband, Robert Barlow. Robert was also in service, but he fell ill. He and Bess fell in love during the time that she was looking after him and they married in 1543. Soon after they married though, Robert died and Bess was left with a customary widow's jointure, which was a third of Robert's income.

Bess's second husband was a Royal commissioner, Sir William Cavendish. He was very wealthy, being granted church land and being able to afford land cheaply, highly respected and had two children from his previous marriage, but he was twice the age of Bess. They were married at Bradgate Manor at 2 am, 20 August 1547. The marriage was happy and successful, as Bess had 6 children who made it through infancy, Frances, Henry, William, Charles, Elizabeth and Mary. Robert pleased Bess by selling his existing properties and buying buildings in Derbyshire and Nottinghamshire.

In London, Sir William become seriously ill. He died on the 25 October 1557. Bess was appointed lady in waiting to the Queen of England.

In 1559, Bess married her third husband, Sir William St. Loe. He was a wealthy widower and had children. He proved to be very generous. He took on her debts from her previous marriage to Cavendish.

Queen Elizabeth was a good friend of St. Loe's, as he had aided her when her life had been threatened. He was awarded Captain of the Guard and Butler of the Royal household. However, Bess was sent to the Tower for seven months in 1561, due to helping Lady Catherine Grey keep a secret about Jane Grey (9 day Queen of England) marrying Edward Seymor, against the Queen's wishes and getting pregnant. Bess refused to break the news to the Queen and denied having anything to do with it. The Queen was most displeased and Bess was punished. St. Loe died 5 years into the marriage and left all his land to Bess and her children. After he died, Bess returned to Court.

In 1567, Bess married for the last time to, George Tablot, 6th Earl of Shrewsbery. He was a widower with 6 children. He was known as the richest man in England. It wasn't just Bess who married; two other marriages combined into the family. Mary Cavendish (12 years old) married Gilbert Tablot and Henry Cavendish (13 years old) married Grace Tablot (aged just 8 years old!). Bess was delighted, in October 1568, to hear that her husband had become the Guardian of Mary Queen Of Scots. They moved between many houses and each time a threat was made to rescue or harm Mary, as she had been held at Tutbury Castle by the Earl of Shrewsbery. Bess loathed to return to Chatsworth. She became jealous of Mary, because she spent so much time with her husband, so she decided to become her best friend and the pair sat and chatted while they embroidered.

The Earl of Shrewsbery became ill at Wingfield Manor. He had to be taken to Buxton to be treated and this displeased the Queen greatly, but she sent him a physician to help him recover.

In Oct 1574, Bess went to Rufford with her daughter, Elizabeth Cavendish. She invited the Countess of Lennox and her son Charles to stay at Rufford Abbey, which Bess had recently renovated to her liking. The Countess fell ill for 5 days and whilst Bess nursed her back to health, Elizabeth and Charles grew to love each other. When their parents found out, they were delighted and Bess said she wanted her family wedded into the Royal Family with or without Queen Elizabeth's permission. Mary Queen of Scots agreed, saying they would have to deal with the consequences later. The young couple were married and Bess was happy, because her daughter was with an heir to the throne. The Queen was not amused and both ladies and their staff were questioned. The Countess was taken to the Tower, Bess was warned of her actions and Mary Queen of Scots stayed at Sheffield Castle. Elizabeth and Charles were in line for the throne and had a daughter, Arbella Stuart.

Arbella's father died in 1576, Countess of Lennox in 1578 and Elizabeth in 1582. The child was left in the entire care of Bess. Bess wanted Arabella to accede to the throne and not Mary. Mary became close to Arbella and when she found out Bess's plans, the relationship between the two became bitter.

In 1583, Bess brought Hardwick in her son William's name from her brother James, who had been terribly in debt, for the sum of £9,500, with the intention that after her death he would inherit the land. Bess replaced the old house, with what is known as Hardwick hall. She built it and furnished it for a future Queen of England, which she hoped Arbella would be.

It became the house of the Cavendish family after her death and is the only remaining building of Bess's that hasn't been altered.

The Queen kept quiet about the succession, even though Bess kept asking. Arbella needed a suitable marriage. Bess decided to play match maker and chose a suitable suitor, Lord Denbigh, the son of the Earl of Leicester. He was only 2 years old at time! The Queen was outraged when she heard the news and Leicester was ordered from Court. Lord Denbigh died in July 1584, unfortunately. Bess was taken to London. The Queen wanted an explanation for her behaviour. After the meeting, Bess never tried to marry Arabella off again. She then found out that her husband was showing affection for a serving girl, Eleanor Britton, so she decided to get revenge on him. Her and her two Cavendish sons spread rumours about George Tablot and Mary Stuart apparently having an affair. In 1583, these rumors were heard in Court. Shrewsbery refused to take back his wife, after what she had done. Queen Mary's execution brought them together for a short time, living at Wingfield Manor. Soon though, after the couple's mutual abuse became an open scandal, Bess left her husband and went to live her own house, Hardwick Hall, taking her grand daughter, Arbella, with her. In 1590, Lord Shrewsbery died and Bess gained land, manor houses, parks, smithies and glass works. She also gained a large widow jointure. She was now the richest, besides the Queen of England, lady in England.

In 1600, Bess's annual income was £10,000, not including money she gave to William and Charles Cavendish.

Arbella became next in line to the throne, alongside James VI of Scotland. No other agreements where made for Arbella to marry. A rumour sprang that Henry Percy, ninth Earl of Northumberland, a powerful catholic, wanted Arbella as his wife. Arbella decided to put her marriage into her own hands and started to plan her own marriage to Edward Seymor. She sent a message to him via a servant, Dodderage, regarding their marriage. On 7 Jan 1603, Sir Henry Bronker, arrived at Hardwick and gave a letter to Bess and asking to see Arbella in private. Arbella was made to write her confession of planning her marriage on paper. She begged pardon from the Queen.

Bess asked her majesty if Arbella could be moved elsewhere to learn to be considerate and bestow her marriage, but the Queen decided that she must stay at Hardwick and be watched over. Arbella wrote many letters to Bronker and it was concluded that she was insane. Henry Cavendish and Henry Stapleton attempted to help Arbella escape, but it didn't go well.

The Queen heard about the attempt and threats on Arbella's life were made. She was moved to West Park, Bedfordshire and Bess was left in peace. 

On 24 March 1603, the Queen died and her successor James of Scotland took over.

Bess did not include Henry Cavendish or Arbella in her will. She was taken ill in 1608 and died on the 13 February. She was buried at Church all Saints, better known as the Cathedral of Derby.