The Peak District & Derbyshire is preparing to mark the 400th anniversary of the death of Bess of Hardwick – an icon of Tudor England who
rose from being humble beginnings to become the second most powerful woman in
England, after Queen Elizabeth I.
The anniversary year is being backed by The National Trust, Chatsworth and Derby
Cathedral, all of whom have a role in telling different parts of Bess's story,
and will therefore be staging various events and exhibitions throughout 2008.
Bess was born in 1527 on the site of Hardwick Old Hall, the fifth of six daughters
to a respectable but impoverished Derbyshire nobleman farmer. Not the best start
in life, she was widowed for the first time at 16. However, she lived through
the reign of four monarchs and died one of the wealthiest and most powerful women
in English history. She survived to be over 80, which, in itself, was extremely
unusual in those times; and had four increasingly wealthy and influential husbands,
who paved her way through society.
Bess learned from each of her husbands and increased her personal wealth with
each marriage. She managed her own estates and was considered to have a masculine
understanding of business and finance and made few mistakes. Bess was also regarded
as a formidable personality – articulate, able to stand up for her rights, and
someone who possessed great wisdom and dignity.
Four centuries have passed since her death. But today, it is still possible
to follow in Bess's footsteps through the glorious countryside of her native Derbyshire
- from Hardwick Hall
www.nationaltrust.org.uk to Chatsworth House
www.chatsworth.org, then on to her final resting place in Derby Cathedral
www.derbycathedral.org.
Bess's greatest achievements were her building projects. These include the original
Chatsworth, and present Hardwick Hall – both of which have stood the test of time,
and are regarded as two of the finest stately homes in England. Chatsworth is
the seat of the Dukes of Devonshire; while Hardwick Hall is famous for being "more
glass than wall", because of the number and size of its windows. Old Hardwick
Hall, which stands nearby, was the site of Bess's birthplace
www.english-heritage.org.uk.
Royal Crown Derby (
www.royalcrownderby.co.uk), meanwhile, has produced the Bess of Hardwick five-petal tray. Production
of this piece, measuring 11.5 cm in diameter and hand-gilded with 22-carat gold,
is strictly limited to the end of the anniversary year.
The full programme of events for 2008 can be seen on the specially created website
www.bessofhardwick.co.uk and in a new leaflet which can be obtained by telephoning 01332-594499. A series
of special short break packages, making it easier for visitors to follow the life
and times of Bess, will be launched in early Spring 2008.
