Pupils in Year 7 and 8 visited Hardwick Hall on Friday to support our study on the Tudors in History at Key Stage 3.
The Countess of Shrewsbury, better known as Bess of Hardwick was a formidable lady. In Elizabethan England money equalled power. Through her four marriages, coupled with her astute business and political sense, Bess accumulated great wealth and came to be one of the most powerful women in the land.
The very fact that Hardwick was built is a sure sign of Bess’ wealth, power and ambition. The audacious architectural design and materials used, alongside the lavish interior, were chosen by Bess to impress, and they continue to do so today. The house was filled with tapestries, fine furniture and grand portraits many of which survived and we were able to see on our visit.
We’d like to say a huge THANK YOU to Jane, Roy and Sue, our National Trust volunteer tour guides, for providing a phenomenal guided tour of the hall and gardens.