Bess Hardwick First Lady of Chatsworth

Mary S. Lovell explores the life of Bess Hardwick, an ambitious figure who became the matriarch of one of the most powerful family dynasties in England and died one of the wealthiest in England's history.
Bess Hardwick, the fifth of six daughters of an impoverished English nobleman, did not have a particularly auspicious start in life. Born in 1527 into the most brutal and turbulent period of England's history, she was widowed for the first time at sixteen, married three more times, and outlived four monarchs. By the time Bess's first child, Frances, was six years old, three of her illustrious godparents had been beheaded. She survived through England's violent political and social upheaval, bore eight children, and built an extraordinary empire that included the great houses of Chatsworth and Hardwick.
Through journals, letters, court reports, inventories and account books, Lovell charts the rise of an astonishingly tenacious woman, one who loved extravagant furnishings and fine clothes and who inspired passionate uxoriousness in her husbands; a woman who was generous, hardheaded and brave. What is revealed is not simply an intimate portrait of one woman but also of all Tudor society.

[@jamesallison4875]

I just had to take a break. This is about the best “lecture “ I’ve ever heard. Fantastic! This lady is amazing.

[@patrickquinn5596]

Great lecture. Yesterday I visited Hardwick Hall and Chatsworth House for the first time. What an incredible woman.

[@johnwelsh699]

Superb lecture. A pleasure to hear the language spoken so well.

[@glengrieve544]

Great content and beautifully presented thank you for you're time and effort you put into making these great videos

[@ACS402010]

Love this lecture. I've always been fascinated with Bess Hardwick and Hardwick Hall, so it was nice to hear her story from someone so well-versed in British History.

[@sassandsavvy007]

I so loved watching this video. She's both brilliant and so much fun to listen to. There is this thought of sitting together and continue

[@gv1967]

Loved listening to this lecture.

[@andreaedwards8644]

I have this in my favourites....it really is the most informative and interesting talk. What an interesting life and formidable woman. Thank you so much.

[@BrewCzar78]

Great Video.. love the Book Bess of Hardwick Empire Builder.. awesome book.

[@AlannahRyane]

Absolutely awesome!!!

[@angelasmith5174]

I read the book "The tower and the dream" which is the story of Bess of Hardwick told in story form. She was a remarkable, strong woman in a time where being female meant being obedient and silent. Bess was neither.

[@v.britton4445]

Brilliant

[@sharonanne6293]

Fantastic. Have sat comfy and listened to this quite afew times now. It's really good and mary Lovell has a soothing voice. X

[@chtistopherhardwick3862]

Hardwick's bloodline is realy funny cant tell you tho

[@madeleine8977]

+Chtistopher Hardwick Oh no, what a tease....

[@philiphema2678]

Why did the great-grandson tear down the house? Also, it seems that the "bloodline" is hugely improved by the intro of non-aristocratic females. As well as the looks! Just saying🤣

[@Liz4355]

I am a descendent of her…

[@janicebrowningaquino792]

Excellent! I enjoyed this more than I can express!!!

[@001wolfgirl]

I found out that I am related to Bess Hardwick, so it is so great to hear all about my family from the past! My dream is to one day walk the halls of Hardwick Hall.

[@dastardlydianne5657]

It is a most interesting house, Hardwick Hall. The gardens are beautiful.

[@annabelleeh]

I am too!

[@HollyRoseBeecham]

So am I!!! Elizabeth Hardwick is my 13th great-grandmother. I am a decendant of her daughter Francis Cavendish and her husband Sir Henry Pierrepont.

[@Liz4355]

@@HollyRoseBeecham I am a descendent too

[@annekalunn8339]

@@Liz4355 same

[@1959219]

Don't know if Arbella loved her..being kept almost as a "prisoner". Poor woman had a very sad life..

[@amandabell8827]

Excellent lecture, many thanks.

[@aleksanderwaldon992]

Wonderful video!

[@megenberg8]

marvelous!

[@sgilbert5753]

I would challenge the lecturer's assertion that Queen Elizabeth I and Bess of Hardwicke remained "good friends". As for Bess' alleged business accumen, one need only look at her history of hiring legal and commercial advisors - not that she lacked ambitions.