English Heritage

1547Second Marriage

Bess is a lady-in-waiting to Lady Frances Brandon, mother of Lady Jane Grey. She meets and marries Sir William Cavendish, a 40-year-old widower and father of three.

1549-57Buying Chatsworth

Bess and Sir William buy Chatsworth and build a new house there. Sir William dies while under investigation for embezzlement.

1563-5Third Marriage

Bess marries Sir William St Loe, one of Queen Elizabeth's favourite courtiers. She becomes a lady of the Privy Chamber. Sir William dies suddenly, leaving everything to Bess.

1567Fourth Marriage

Bess marries George Talbot, 6th Earl of Shrewsbury. She arranges for her son and daughter to marry two of his children.

1581Buying Hardwick

Bess's brother James dies a debtor and Hardwick is seized by the Crown. As a principal creditor, Bess buys it back.

1584-90First Restorations

Increasingly estranged from her husband, Bess flees Chatsworth for Hardwick. By the time Shrewsbury dies work has started on the creation of Hardwick New Hall, and the reconstruction of the Old Hall.

1596-7Renovations Complete

Work on the Old Hall is finished. The following year, Bess moves into the completed New Hall.

1608A New Generation

Bess dies. Her second son, William, inherits Hardwick. Philosopher Thomas Hobbes joins the family as a tutor, remaining at Hardwick until his death.

1745-1875Abandonment

Hardwick is more or less abandoned, with Chatsworth becoming the preferred family residence. It falls into ruin and parts of the Old Hall are demolished and sold off.

1908-38A Second Restoration

The 9th Duke of Devonshire commissions the Society for the Preservation of Ancient Buildings to restore the Old Hall. After his death, his widow moves into the New Hall.

1939-45Hardwick at War

During the Second World War, Hardwick park is used to train airborne soldiers and as a camp for Polish refugees.

1950-PresentGiven to the Nation

The 11th Duke offers Hardwick's halls to the National Trust and Ministry of Works, who restore the buildings and open them to the public.

Learn more about the history of Hardwick