Last week I had the opportunity of hearing Professor Jeff Handcock talk to the Methwold Ladies Group about Bess of Hardwick Hall. It was fascinating to hearing about Bess’s life story in historical context of the Tudor Era. I have visited Hardwick Hall in Derbyshire and marvelled at the tapestries, embroideries, wood panelling and gardens. Bess not ‘Elizabeth’ because of course, ‘Elizabeth the 1st’, was on the throne at that time, although, Bess saw three monarchs in her life time because she lived to the age of 83, no mean feet in those times. She was a clever, an entrepreneur of her times and married four times! She was the 2nd richest person in Tudor Britain and had many workshops including those that made glass, the finest and largest panes at that time. This accounts for Hardwick having so many large and unusual windows among other things such as the longest hall with indoor walk!
Bess also hard the finest sewing rooms for the refurbishment of linens, tapestries and embroideries which she acquired from all round the world.
Hardwick Hall became a National Trust property in the 1950′s.
See these videos to capture some of the interest of Bess, Hardwick Hall and Tudor Life.
