Dr Kat and Bess of Hardwick

In the recent film - Mary, Queen of Scots - Bess of Hardwick was played by Gemma Chan. I don't think this portrayal came close to doing this historical figure justice... here's why...
I hope you enjoy this video and find it interesting!
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Intro / Outro song: Silent Partner, "Greenery" [ • Greenery - Silent Part... ]
If you fancy visiting Bess of Hardwick's New Hall check out www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hard... for more information and ticket prices/bookings.
Images:
Portrait of Sir William Cavendish (circa 1547) by an unknown artist (possibly John Bettes)
Unknown Tudor Gentleman - possibly Henry Cavendish by an unknown artist (1590). Held by the National Trust
Portrait of William Cavendish by an unknown artist (1576). Held by the National Trust
Portrait of Mary Cavendish by an unknown artist. Held by the National Trust
British (English) School or Livinus De Vogelaare’s portrait of Sir William St Loe - also classified as being Matthew Stuart, 4th Earl of Lennox (16th Century). Held by the National Trust, at Hardwick Hall.
Portrait of Lady Catherine Grey (c.1555-1560) by Levina Teerlinc
Portrait of Edward Seymour, Earl of Hertford attributed to Hans Eworth (1565). From Sotheby’s
Richard Croft’s photograph of the ruins of the South Tower, Tutbury Castle
Painting of Pontefract Castle in the early 17th century, by Alexander Keirincx. From Pontefract Museum
Drawing of Sheffield Castle (reconstruction)
Russ Hamer’s photograph of Rufford Hall from the south-west corner
Rowland Lockey’s portrait of George Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury (1580). Held by the National Trust.
Portrait of Elizabeth Talbot, Countess of Shrewsbury, known as Bess of Hardwick by an unknown artist (circa 1590). Held by the National Portrait Gallery
Portrait of Lady Grace Talbot by George Gower (1591). Held by the National Trust
Portrait of Gilbert Talbot, 7th Earl of Shrewsbury from the workshop of William Segar (1596)
Nicholas Hilliard’s miniature portrait of Mary, Queen of Scots during her captivity (between 1578 and 1579). Held by the Victoria and Albert Museum
Portrait of the young Lady Arbella Stuart by an unknown artist (1577). Held by the National Trust
Robert Peake the elder’s portrait of Lady Arbella Stuart in later life (1605). Held by the Scottish National Portrait Gallery
Aerial photograph of New Hardwick Hall ©National Trust Images/John Miller
Photograph of New Hardwick Hall from the ground
Photograph of the interior of New Hardwick Hall by Tony Hisgett
The top storey of a pavilion at Hardwick Hall is surmounted by the letters "E" and "S", referring to Elizabeth, Countess of Shrewsbury, the original owner by Giano at English Wikipedia
Quoted texts:
Horace Walpole (attrib.) poem on Bess of Harwick.

[@jallenecs]

See, I have a big problem with your channel. I am American, so a lot of this is new information to me; I didn't get this on school. So what happens is that I watch one video, and then I have to follow links and cards back to hear the previous story, or the next one. And that one is so interesting that I simply must go to the next bread crumb along the trail. OR, I have to go back and listen to a video I've heard before, but want to rewatch to put it into this new context. And then I look up and realize I've spent two or three hours listening to your work. So please, quit making everything so interesting, darn it all! Seriously, this is great stuff, keep it coming!

[@wendygerrish4964]

Oh. You are from the colonies.

[@Luubelaar]

@@wendygerrish4964 - I'm Australian. I That line was actually said to an Australian friend of mine when she was in the UK. LOL

[@Luubelaar]

June, I often have the problem of "falling down the rabbit hole" after one of Dr Kat's videos. I'm a total history nerd so it's not exactly surprising.

[@adriannespring8598]

Hehehhh..

[@kille7543]

Me too 🤗

[@zoesolanki961]

I think Queen E liked her because she admired her. Saw her as someone who survived against the odds and thrived despite of everything. And also because she was a woman who was strong and politically astute, much like Elizabeth herself. Please do a video about Arbella, I would love to hear more.

[@KatTheScribe]

I agree!!

[@sharonkaczorowski8690]

Indeed!

[@lovelive2216]

Yes I agree!! Being a Woman during that time was very challenging. They both manage to survive in different ways but they both had the same drive to make it work to their own advantage.

[@meganmcconnell9933]

I have always loved Bess of Hardwick! She is a much overlooked woman who deserves to be better known.

[@meganmcconnell9933]

And yes - please do a video about Arbella Stuart

[@sarawallace6696]

YES!!! I think there should be a movie or a series!!!

[@nicoladawson8541]

I live about 6 miles from Hardwick and it - & Bess - have always been a huge part of my life, so much so that my daughter is named Bess!

[@patriciaaldam1562]

Two days ago I went to visit Hardwick Hall and was fascinated by the story of Bess of Hardwick.

[@ReadingthePast]

Lucky you! It's an amazing house, commissioned by an equally amazing woman!

[@MultiMaggs]

Dee A The post is from 9 months ago.

[@salviabuckwheats7434]

That's great, I would love to visit after hearing this story!

[@charlotteh71]

Bess is my favourite Tudor woman she was amazing. I’ve loved her for years.

[@michaellewis6510]

Wow what a woman! I'm waiting for the film! I love visiting Hardwick Hall, both old and new

[@marylinolazagasti9715]

I love to hear about these women that thrived in a men’s world, very interesting!! Love your Channel De. Kat ♥️

[@sharonanne6293]

I love Bess. I have visited Hardwick Hall twice. I drove 90 miles just to see it. Its beautiful .. fab video.

[@SecretSquirrelFun]

10:50 oh my goodness gracious. Arbella Stuart’s portrait is so beautiful. With Arbella holding, what looks to me like a little doll dressed as the Queen Elizabeth 🙂just divine. Of course it’s no Holbein, but I just haven’t seen many (any) portraits of children (especially noble children) actually holding a toy. I’ve seen toys in the background, as well as pets etcetera. But never actually holding a toy and especially one that looks remarkably like the current Queen of England. Wow, just wow. I love this. Thank you so much for sharing not only this portrait, but this entire video essay regarding Bess of Hardwick, her life, and her sphere of influence. I very much appreciate you and all of the obviously effort and hard work that you put into each of your videos. Thank you so much. Eve 🙂🐿🌈❤️ [sydney australia] P.s I came here to this video after watching your recent “Question & Answer” video.

[@meenalaregina7770]

Bess of Hardwick is the prototype of a soap opera heroine! She was as sly as a fox and as determined as a bull. When I break up with someone I mourn the loss. I am fascinated that she marries so quickly. Did Bess love any of her husbands? Is it possible that Elizabeth I kept Bess close because you keep your friends close and your enemies closer? Bess has money, multiple connections including a claim to the throne... she is no shrinking violet, she is a rose in her right.

[@lexiburrows8127]

I understand that Bess was the most fond of St. Lowe (she did not even spell this name the same way all the time - spelling changed all the time at that day and age; there was no Dictionary or formal spellings). Also, Bess is reputed to have said at one time that 'Elizabeth and I understand each other.' Most people you associate with Elizabeth were male, so a Elizabeth would have recognised a kindred spirit in Bess. They were both strong. Elizabeth is NOT the most famous person for having a host of female friends; she seemed to prefer male company, unlike Mary Stuart, who had loads of them. Maybe this can tell you the difference in attitude between the women of that time. Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots, could not hope to take on Elizabeth. Her mother, Marie de Guise did an unusually sterling job of it, but Scottish politics were rougher than English politics. This is also a factor. This is a very short and oversimplification. Bess was a very shrewd woman, to get back to the subject, and used logic, reason and force of personality to achieve her goals. Yes , she WAS controlling, but this is what made her the richest woman in England and the most powerful - after the Queen.

[@MsLJK85]

You're definitely right about her being like a soap opera heroine. While listening, I kept thinking about those late 1980s mini-series where the heroine moves from rags to riches, to becoming a mogul matriarch by the end.

[@Peaceshiet812]

I thought that was crazy casting, I’ve always been intrigued by this woman!

[@DrewSohl]

She was a clever woman, that made sure that she and family were well provided for.🇬🇧

[@kateh2007]

I'm thrilled to have found you Dr Kat. You are incredibly knowledgeable and I love how you explain so many different aspects of history in such an engaging manner. This episode is especially dear to me as I live literally 1/2 a mile from Hardwick Hall ( I can see it from my house ) so I consider myself blessed. I spend many happy days there and I'm also near to Chatsworth, Bolsover and Haddon, so plenty to keep me busy!!!! I admire Bess, she must have been incredibly strong, although not particularly likeable imho!! Arbella seems to have had a tragic life, poor girl. Thankyou again Dr Kat, you have brightened my days during this strange time, keep safe x.

[@agnescassar7604]

Thank you i love the way you narrate makes it feel like you're talking on one to one basis

[@amieet]

I went to Hardwick Hall today and I am SO intrigued by her!

[@8lind3nigma13]

I only recently became interested in Bess. As always, you have done an exceptional job at analyzing her life and times. Thank you, Doc.

[@tamaraharris2393]

This was fascinating! I visited Hardwick for the first time earlier this week and have been captivated by Bess ever since! What an incredible story! I would love to learn more!!!

[@christopherstephenjenksbsg4944]

I enjoyed this very much! I know of Bess mainly from Hardwick Hall, which is undoubtedly one of the greatest Elizabethan Houses (really the best in my humble opinion). Hardwick Hall brought to mind Wollaton Hall, designed and built by the same "architect", Robert Smythson. (Architect is not quite the proper term here. Smythson served as both designer and what we would call the General Contractor.) It occurred to me that you might find the characters of Sir Francis Willoughby and his wife, Elizabeth Littleton, Lady Willoughby, worthy of a segment. Fascinating people with an extremely stormy marriage, their relationship demonstrates the tensions of the Elizabethan age, when a woman reigned as Queen, but the rest of society was still extremely patriarchal. As an aside, Smythson did a lot of work for Bess. Besides the work at Hardwick, he redesigned Worksop (unfortunately not extant), Bolsover castle (finished by his son and grandson), and he may have designed the Elizabethan Hunting Tower still extant at Chatsworth.

[@Isrjisoneavalable]

She’s a character in one of Susanna Clarke’s short stories “"Antickes and Frets" in the collection “the ladies of Grace Adieu”. There’s magic and needle work at play while she is the host of Mary Queen of Scots

[@steveriggan8944]

Wonderful video. Bess Hardwick has numerous descendants in the U.S.. Two of my friends are descended from her via her great granddaughter Jane Lowe and husband Henry Sewall who came to Maryland. Jane was the granddaughter of Bess’ “bad son” Henry Cavendish. Bess’ maternal great-great grandmother Isabel (Aylesbury) Chaworth was the sister of Eleanor (Aylesbury) Stafford whose descendant Col. Thomas Ligon of colonial Virginia was one of my mother’s forebears. Thanks for the interesting presentation.

[@lovelive2216]

I really appreciate your videos! History is so amazing and I truly enjoy it. I really appreciate how you tell the story of all these passed lives. Thank you 🙏

[@ingeborgpeters5393]

Thank you for your entertaining and interesting videos. I have seen several and you bring the personages to life. I will look out for more. As a child I had a book on the 9 day queen and was thrilled you spoke about her. I never forgot her. Greetings from lockdown Cape Town.

[@carlyhammond6474]

Does anyone else do a little jig through the opening credit tune? It's just so cheery, perhaps a throwback to childhood memories of programmes like playschool! Love your videos chica x

[@susanflint1652]

I found your channel a month ago or so and I love it! I am slowly working my way through your videos and found this one about Bess of Hardwick fascinating. I didn't know of her before I read "The Other Queen" by Philippa Gregory who gives Bess a voice in her novel about Bess, George Talbot and Mary, Queen of Scots. It seems Bess was just as interesting and intriguing in real life as she was in the novel. Thank you for such an entertaining and educational channel! Congrats on 20K+ subscribers too!

[@saradecapua3264]

Now I must go back and watch the beautiful Hardwick Hall video of the singers at the music table.

[@hbombstatic]

I've been binge watching your channel since recently finding it. Thank you so much for all of these fantastic videos! I'm such a fan :)

[@cazziefores2183]

I live in Worksop and have visited Hardwick Hall and Chatsworth House many times.. They are both stunningly beautiful... I believe there is a Spa.. Fitness centre and accommodation at Hardwick Hall nowadays.. Great video xxx 👌😊😘

[@timefoolery]

Bess is definitely one of my favorite characters of the Elizabethan age. Virginia Henley’s “A Woman of Passion” is an excellent adaptation of her life story and would make a great series, though it does stop before Mary Queen of Scots comes into the picture. But she’s definitely worth an account of her extraordinary life.

[@nancybradford8514]

I love learning about Bess so much that Chatsworth will be on my list of places I will be visiting when I visit England

[@WhyYouEnvious]

I’ve had a real interest In English history since I was young, especially Tudor history! Thankyou Lady Kat for your words and knowledge ❤️ 👑

[@sandrawooten9477]

I am a history buff. I enjoy your vidoes very much. I live in Alabama USA.

[@heathersheartco]

I’m a new fan over here on the ocean shores of Monterey, CA 🌊🌊🌊 I enjoy listening to your videos when I’m alone at work. It makes the work day go by fast and I love learning about history.

[@TheHappyHijaabi]

Hi Dr Kat. I really love these mini lectures you give. Tudor history, particularly, fascinates me. I'm from Sheffield with very close links to Bess of Hardwick and the imprisonment of MQoS on Sheffield for 14 of her 21-odd years in captivity. I grew up on the lands that were, historically, the deer park in which Mary rode out to hunt. I've often wondered, about Elizabeth I's choice of Talbot to be Mary's gaoler. It occurred to me that maybe the choice to have Talbot as MQoS gaoler was a punishment, more than it being Elizabeth receiving the Talbots/ Shrewsbury back into favour. I agree totally that that would be no little envy between the two women. Bess, after all, was the next- wealthiest woman in England after Elizabeth herself. My thoughts are that Elizabeth would know full well that being Mary's gaoler would be ruinous to Bess and her husband. Mary would have her retinue of servants and ladies in waiting with her. It would be like a mini court, and Mary and her servants would have to be kept in the manner of a Queen-annointed, (Elizabeth was acutely aware of Mary's status as a Queen-annointed, and that privelige status she held. This, I believe is one of the reasons why Elizabeth stayed her hand for so long, against having Mary executed.) I think that the cost of keeping and feeding Mary's retinue was prohibitively expensive, and was laid at the door of the Talbots as an indirectly harsh retaliation for their parts in the marriage plots As an aside, in Sheffield's Anglican cathedral, there is a tomb to the talbot/ Shrewsburys in one of the cathedral's side chapels, the Shrewsbury chapel. It is astoundingly beautiful, with effigies of George Talbot and his two wives, Anne (d~1520) and his second wife Elizabeth (d 1567) On the tomb you can see the beautiful carvings of the Talbot dogs lying at the Shrewsbury's feet. You can find brilliant images of, and the details of the tomb if you just Google "Shrewsbury tomb Sheffield Cathedral" They are well worth a look, be it in person or by going online. Thank you again Dr Kat, for your brilliant and informative lectures. I can't get enough of them. (Sorry can't you tell I love my home City?)

[@kayzee5540]

I loved this, and I’m addicted to your channel. Keep up the great work!

[@CB-sw7uj]

love your passion for Tudor history. Your videos are so well articulated and offer so much detail.

[@clareb8015]

I'm so glad I have stumbled across your channel today. Your style of presentation is fantastic and you are very easy to listen to. I've subbed.

[@marcus8258]

Excellent video. Really well presented and informative. Subscribed!

[@ReadingthePast]

Thank you, I'm glad you enjoyed and it's great to have you here.

[@estellehowell4414]

Went to Hardwick Hall at the weekend so re-watching this. What an amazing woman.

[@maureenlippincott9528]

Dr. Kat, love your videos. thanks!

[@danielhunkins7669]

SUPERB VIDEO CATTY !!!!! VERY IMPRESSED WITH YOUR KNOWLEDGE- DANIEL HUNKINS LOL

[@GBunnyG]

I've been semi marathoning your videos this past week or so, and I learn something new and exciting in each one. I wish I could find other people who teach me new things in as fantastic a way as you do.

[@MommyNTheRoyals]

Love hearing about these wonderful people sooo interesting please post more of these 🤗 currently on ANOTHER rewatch lbs

[@m.woodsrobinson9244]

This is ridiculously good stuff! Absolutely LOVE your channel!

[@janeaustenist]

I’d love a series on this woman. She is one of the most fascinating figures of the Elizabethan era.

[@susanbellefeuille]

Love your videos, so informative

[@KatTheScribe]

Yes!!! Well behaved women rarely make history - and I'd love to hear more about this one! I would also love to hear more about Arbella. Thank you so much for your videos, I do so enjoy them :-)

[@marie6965]

I'm very happy that you covered the fascinating life of Bess of Hardwick! Bess is my paternal 12x great-grandmother through an illegitimate daughter of her "bad son" Henry Cavendish, Anne, who married Vincent Lowe. The Lowes eventually became an influential family in colonial Maryland, cementing their status through the intermarriage of other influential families at the time. The Lowes stemming from the Cavendishes most certainly got it from Bess! >Love from the U.S.!

[@toomiepal]

Fascinating. Thanks so much!

[@BritishHistory]

Fantastic video Kat, as always. Learned a lot and also added some places to my ‘must visit’ list 😀

[@nevinhedley1797]

Fabulous - thank you! Bess does deserve a series. What a life. And a vote here for more on Arbella.

[@dianefitzwilliam]

Thank you for this. I went and looked for images of the tapestries. It's quite stunning to look at them and see the fine quality of the work and realize how old they are and I would never have seen them if I hadn't come across this video. So thank you.

[@EmoBearRights]

Now I've heard this I love Hardwick Hall even more.

[@valerie-nk9th]

This is one of my favorites of your videos! I first read Fraser's biography of Mary Queen of Scots when I was 12, and Bess fascinated me. I don't know why I haven't researched her more in the last 45 years, but I will now. Thanks for rejuvenating my interest in her!

[@tgm2754]

Fascinating ! More! More!

[@JustAMatterofTam]

I feel I’ve discovered a kindred spirit......just discovered you a week ago...... so glad you are apart of KZbin!

[@282828lisa]

I’m so glad I found your channel Dr Kat it is very interesting!

[@agnesholland6151]

I’d love a series on her! Please do it!

[@SJ-ss5bf]

Love these videos on bad ass women in history. It always seems like the only women spoken of are those that were queens, yet there's so many interesting women throughout history as you wonderfully highlight. 💙

[@myplaylist.1121]

Thank you! Fascinating!

[@HollyRoseBeecham]

I am so grateful to have found your video. It has shed some light on Bess' life and marriages. I have been researching my family history and I am actually descended from Bess' daughter Frances Cavendish.

[@BeaBaz]

Love Bess' story - have you got a recommended biography? And yes please to an Arbella Stuart video!

[@ReadingthePast]

Me too! I've been eyeing an essay collection that came out in January - "Bess of Hardwick: New Perspectives" (ed. by Lisa Hopkins) - that looks really interesting.

[@markcrombie]

I have read this biography of her recently. It was very good. Bess of Hardwick: First Lady of Chatsworth by Mary Lovell.

[@raulzevallos6524]

I read a short biography of Arbella Stuart called "Too near the throne"

[@deelynn8611]

Some well researched Biography “novels” of people in that era by Phillipa Gregory are worth the read. “The Other Queen” is about Bess of Hardwicke.”

[@cfmasten21]

I loved hearing more about her..I thought she was a very interesting character from a book I read..would love to hear more ...love your videos🥰

[@chelseymalkin5683]

Love this video, I love her portrayal in The Other Queen audiobook

[@dianemckinstry7304]

Hi Kat, last night I discovered that Bess is my 12th Great Grandmother! Her son, William is my 11th Great Grandfather, thank you for this, really interesting, I live way down in New Zealand, years ago I watched a documentary about Chatsworth House, lived it, been following it on Facebook, now I know I’m descended from the Cavendish’s.

[@dianemckinstry7304]

I am Diane McKinstry (née Dempster)

[@ReadingthePast]

That's so cool! What a woman to share a bloodline with! Congratulations!

[@maureengillies9495]

Was there not a rumour that Bess's husband was enamoured of mary queen of Scots?

[@juebarr8972]

I am a distant relative of Bess of Hardwick through her half sister. Thank you for this video Dr Kat …

[@jacquelinekirkpatrick8028]

Wow! Dr Kat is looking stunning today.

[@dougr.2398]

As an environmentalist of sorts, a first fleeting glance at the title awakened me intensely “What’s Dr. Katrina doing a video about ‘The Bees of Hardwick’ for?” :-D ;)

[@leanie9660]

Hi Dr Kat. I've been enjoying your talks (just recently discovered). Thank you very much. Between your videos and those of Claire Ridgeway, I am becoming better informed every day !

[@hogwashmcturnip8930]

Claire Ridgeway is OK, but she doesn't come up with anything that the average enthusiast couldn't, and she sticks to a very small spectrum. Sometimes she quotes from novels as though they are fact. She also does not like it if you provide other evidence that contradicts her own take on things. No disrespect to the lady, but I like the fact that here there is an openess and willingness to listen to each other and discuss things we have discovered. I learn a lot more here. With Claire it is tends to be 'Yeah, yeah, I found that out myself when I was 14, tell me something New?' There is no doubting her enthusiasm for her subject,but she can be subjective whereas here is Objective. Horses for Courses. Just don't take everything Claire says as gospel. It seems to me that if Kat doesn't know for sure she will say so. To me the whole purpose of life is to Learn. You undoubtedly know things I never will, conversely I like to hope I know things that you don't. Only by throwing our collective knowledge into the pot do we All grow. That is the difference between Teaching and Sharing. Claire is a Teacher, Kat is a sharer

[@raecyrulik9359]

I enjoy Claire Ridgeway but honestly, she's a little "fan girl" for me. She only ever really takes one source (Eric Ives) to base her opinions and totally disregards very respected historians like David Starkey and Allison Weir. She raved about what an "wonderful" woman Margaret Beaufort was when even David Starkey called her the "mother-in-law from hell" and most historians agree Margaret Beaufort was an extremely difficult woman. That's just one example. Historians like Starkey, Weir, Jones, Lipscomb, etc. all have their doctorates and are well respected, but unless they're raving about her favorite historical figures, she disregards them. I mean no disrespect towards her, but these are all extremely well-respected, trained historians and professors who have taught or curated at some of the highest learning institutions there are. Claire is, for all intents and purposes, an amateur, self-taught historian.

[@dloft3759]

Another great narrative. Thanks so much! I agree that Bess deserves her own series. It would be fabulous. I find it amazing that she was the second richest woman in England, did many things to upset Elizabeth I, and still had the respect from the Queen. What a balancing act! I would love to visit Hardwick one day.

[@lorie1965]

yes for arabella story.

[@gypsydonovan]

YES

[@tmw94777]

I first learned about Bess’s fascinating life when I read a historical romans novel, A Woman of Passion, by Virginia Henley. The sensationalized version of her life was enough for me to search out more about this incredible woman! I visited Hardwick Hall, and Chatsworth; her textile collection is breathtaking. Thank you for this…you’re right, she deserved a biographical film as the lead character.

[@markbeks2019]

Love this, thank you for sharing 😊 New subscriber 👌🏻

[@sophiekilmer5828]

I'd like to see a video about Arbella Stewart, i come from a Stewart bloodline

[@patricialong5767]

Remarkable and very shrewd woman!

[@jenniferharris61]

WOW! Just incredible

[@jo-anbryson466]

Fascinating woman, whether she was a social climber or just lucky, who knows, but she looked after her children with good marriages as well. Loved it!

[@filthyketchup5933]

IVe been here since 5K . Feminist and thought provoking. Great analysis

[@shelley2he844]

Great video ❤️👍💯👌

[@kae5717]

It's very impressive how well Bess held out in court! You make a good point about how much Queen Elizabeth must have enjoyed her company, because she was not exactly known for forgiving easily

[@AnneAndersonFoxiepaws]

Hardwick Hall more glass than wall must have been freezin!

[@Mia8ef]

I love your videos! I can't stop watching :)

[@monicatindercosmos]

Love Bess. Read her biography years ago. Agree she deserves to be shared with this and coming generations.

[@mandylavida]

Hardwick hall - such a beautiful house

[@juliaross5268]

Yes, we do want to know more about Arbilla Stuart!

[@Deanekels]

Thanks you. Love you vids.

[@iseejewelz3874]

Incredible

[@havingalook2]

That was brilliant. Of all the things I have read, watched, listened to - your presentation was the best. You captured all of the ESSENTIAL data and it was a pleasure to watch. Could you argue that at one point Bess was actually more wealthy than Elizabeth? I have seen this account somewhere. Like you - I am not certain upon meeting her, one would like her. I wonder what her children thought of her?

[@monarch3495]

Honestly I’d listen to any video you make about historical people, especially women in history

[@bethdunn2453]

Fascinating woman. Excellent overview, hope you can do a deeper dive. Im curious how her children interacted with her.

[@swordchild0013]

One of my favourite historical ladies :)

[@annsutherland6553]

Think you right a film should be made on Bess I spent a lot of time around hardwick as a child I had my own tour years ago loved it as. Saw some things public did not

[@Dreymasmith]

You should add a card linking Arbella Stuart's video. Great video as always.

[@dragoncult666]

Hi, thanks for making these videos. Did you do one for Lady Arbella Stuart?

[@salviabuckwheats7434]

I have watched several of your videos and always enjoy them. People are always getting beheaded for silly things at a monarch's will. Yet this Bess of Hardwick seems to be living in a time that is immune - yet beheading was going on all around her. How scary it would have been to live then, I thought - but Bess of Hardwick just sailed through it all - and did it her way. Thank you for making these incredible women come to life. Almost forgot, one suggestion - didn't you say Bess was a rotten old lady abusing Arbella in Arbella's video? It would have been good to mention it here to keep her from looking like some lovely "charismatic" well-liked woman through and through. I love that she came from such modest parentage. Oops, I am rambling, but I am getting addicted to your videos. Thanks.

[@EmoBearRights]

Hardwick Hall is one of my favourite places in the UK.

[@realityslidersmandelaeffec6594]

I am interested because I have never heard of her....I love your channel

[@raecyrulik9359]

I think Bess of Hardwick is one of the most fascinating historical figures there is. She just seems to so often be overlooked or dismissed. IMO very few historical figures, especially non-royal female figures, have ever accomplished so much. Yes, she married well, but she was so much more than whom she married. If she were alive today, who knows WHAT she could've accomplished!

[@tristanbaravraham6349]

Me and the kitties listen to you almost as much as Johnny Cash! That’s a real metric, there :-)