Historical Environment: Hardwick Hall

Question 1

Where was Bess raised?

Answer 1

In London by a family friend Lady Zouche

Question 2

Who was bess’ first husband and when did they marry?

Answer 2

Robert Barlow was her first husband, who she married when she was just a teenager, and was quickly widowed

Question 3

When did bess marry again and who did she marry?

the second marriage

Answer 3

1547 she married Sir William Cavendish who made bess his third wife on the 2nd of August

Question 4

Where did Bess and her second husband get married, and why is this significant?

Answer 4

Bradgate, Leicester (home to the parents of Lady Jane Grey)

Question 5

How did BeSS and her second husband live?

Answer 5

They lived luxuriously with six surviving children and many extravagant feasts, entertainment, gambling, and uniformed servants

Question 6

Where did Cavendish have to go in 1557 and why?

Answer 6

Summoned to explain a 5000 pound accounting discrepancy to Mary 1st as Queen’s treasurer.

Question 7

What happened to Bess after cavendish’s death?

Answer 7

They have been living in Chatsworth but with the amount of debt her husband had left, she was forced to sell her London house

Question 8

What did bess do when Elizabeth was crowned and why?

Answer 8

She found herself a position as one of the Queens lady in waiting since she felt she could come nearer to the capital, now having a Protestant queen, the same religion as herself

Question 9

Who was Bess of Hardwick’s third husband and when did they marry?

Answer 9

Sir William St loe in 1559, the same year she was made lady of the bedchamber

Question 10

What happened in 1561 that jeopardised Bess’ place in the Royal Court?

Answer 10

Catherine grey, Lady Jane grey sister, came to Beth and admitted an affair with Edward Seymour and was with child

A treasonous act since they were both of royal blood and so needed the Queen’s permission before they could be married

Question 11

What did bess do in light of Catherine’s confession and how did this impact her?

Answer 11

Best refused to help and Catherine told Robert Dudley who then told the Queen and threw Catherine, Edward Seymour, and Bess into the Tower of London

Question 12

What did Bess’ third husband do before he died?

Answer 12

Cleared all of his wife’s debts despite rumours that she had poisoned him. 1564 is when he did this and later died in the same year

Question 13

Who is bess’s fourth husband and when does she marry him?

Answer 13

George Talbort Earl of Shrewsbury in 1568

Question 14

How was bess’ fourth marriage put under strain?

Answer 14

Mary Queen of Scots was to be under house arrest in their home at least put all the costs of imprisonment on the couple, Mary Queen of Scots played mind games with them and the marriage broke down

The Earl died in 1590

Question 15

Who was bessie’s granddaughter?

Answer 15

Arbella Stuart

Question 16

How did bess treat Arbella?

Answer 16

She kept at her a practical prisoner at Hardwick so that she couldn’t run off and marry, passing her claim to the throne onto an illegitimate child
As a result they fell out and Elizabeth took her into the royal household but her claim to the throne was never Acted upon

Question 17

When did bess start building Hardwick hall?

Answer 17

1590 using the wealth and power she gained through the four marriages

Question 18

Why was that location chosen for Hardwick?

Answer 18

It was the place where bess was born and it dominated all surroundings as it was on top of a hill, so the coat of arms and initials in the front of the building could be seen first

Question 19

Why is it often said: ‘Hardwick hall more glass than wall’

Answer 19

Best used glass because it was very difficult to make and so was very expensive, so it showed her wealth

Question 20

Why did Bess have so many colourful main halls and colourful tapestries?

Answer 20

To show off how well bye showing off how she could afford dyes and lavish decoration

Question 21

Why does the ceiling get higher as you go up the stairs of the house?

Answer 21

To indicate the importance of the guests, the higher up you go the higher your status

Question 22

What was a private Banqueting pavilion?

Answer 22

At the top of turret where bess had a private banqueting pavilion for lavish dining and secret gossip after dinner

Such as who was to be the next queen: could it be Arbella?

Question 23

How did bess show her loyalty to her queen in Hardwick hall?

Answer 23

She had Elizabeth’s coat of arms in one of her guest rooms and a portrait of the queen in the long gallery

Question 24

Whydid bess have her own coat of arms in each room?

Answer 24

To show her wealth and status

Question 25

How did bess gain more wealth and power?

Answer 25

She games welcome power through smart investments in copper mines and mills and businesses on her land

Question 26

How to best keep her house smelling nice?

Answer 26

By putting herbs on the floor matting

Question 27

Why did bess have long galleris?

Answer 27

For entertaining guests displaying art and tapestries and taking winter exercise

A sign of wealth

Question 28

What engravings are on the top the both sides of the front of the house?

Answer 28

ES was engraved in stone on both sides of the top of the house, Elizabeth Shrewsbury’s initials, no one could ignore who had built and whose house this was

A sign of wealth status and power

Question 29

What was a loggia?

Answer 29

At the front of the house, a walkway with pillars was taken from the Italian architectural design, following the Renaissance fashion and the architect of the house is preference to European designs: Robert smithson

Staying in fashion was a sign of wealth as well

Question 30

How did bess start out?

Answer 30

A farmer’s daughter

Question 31

How is Hardwick hall a great example of a fashionable Elizabethan prodigy house?

Answer 31

It’s perfectly symmetrical and lavish
Elaborate geometric plasterwork reflected the Renaissance fashion

Question 32

How was the engravings reflective of family connections?

Answer 32

References to Hawick and Cavendish family

Question 33

What did the oak wall panelling show?

Answer 33

Told classical stories and kept heat in

Question 34

Talk about the chimneys.

Answer 34

Two massive chimney pieces contain statues of Justice and Mercy
Straight chimney columns placed within the internal walls, to be symmetrical and reflect classical design