| AdminHistory | Elizabeth Hardwick, better known as Bess of Hardwick, was the daughter of John Hardwick (b. 1495 - d. 29 Jan 1528) and Elizabeth Leake (b. 1499 - d. 1570). She was born [1527] in Derbyshire.
She married four times: to Robert Barlow of Barlow in c.1543; to Sir William Cavendish of Chatsworth in 1547 becoming Lady Cavendish (the marriage produced eight children, six of which survived); in 1559, Bess married a third time, to Sir William St. Loe of Tormarton becoming Lady St Loe, and; finally she married George Talbot (6th Earl of Shrewsbury) in 1568.
George Talbot was the owner of both Sheffield Manor Lodge and Sheffield Castle (the Grade II Listed Turret House was built as a gate house and hunting tower in 1574). From 1570 to 1584 Mary Queen of Scots was imprisoned by Elizabeth I at Sheffield Castle and at Sheffield Manor Lodge under George Talbot's custody. During Mary Queen of Scots' captivity, Bess and Mary became friends. They spent much time together talking while making embroideries and tapestries. However, as time passed with George as Mary's jailer, Bess became jealous and bitter towards Mary and their friendship broke down. Mary was executed in 1587 - three years after leaving Sheffield.
Bess died on 13 Feb 1608 at Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire. |