Bess of Hardwick, or the Countess of Shrewsbury, was born in 1527 to minor gentry. First widowed at 16, she went on to have four husbands and build Chatsworth House. In 1568, Elizabeth I required Bess and her husband to be the custodians of Mary, Queen of Scots, until 18 years later when Mary was executed. Bess built her magnificent Hardwick Hall and took up residency in 1597 when she was 70, with her 22 year old grand-daughter Lady Arbella Stuart. Today Hardwick Hall is under National Trust and is known for an outstanding textile collection of tapestries and embroideries.

DELIVERY MODE

• Online

COURSE OUTLINE

• Life of Bess of Harwick and Tudor times
• Relations with Elizabeth I and Mary, Queen of Scots
• Introduction to Chatsworth House and Hardwick Hall
• National Trust Collection at Hardwick Hall

LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

1. Be familiar with aspects of Bess of Harwick’s life story
2. Learn about Chatsworth House and Hardwick Hall
3. Highlight some of the Hardwick art and Tapestry & Embroidery collection