ON November 18 we heard an excellent talk by Dr. Gillian White on 'Bess of Hardwick'. By well-made marriages Bess rose to become an important women of the 16th century.

She built and lavishly furnished the properties Chatsworth and Hardwick Hall.

A widow at 17 she and her second husband Sir William Cavendish, 20 years her senior and The Treasurer of the Kings Chamber, began building Chatsworth House . After his death 10 years and eight children later, Bess married William St. Loe, who was close to Elizabeth I.

Her last husband was George Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury, the highest ranking nobleman in England. George was keeper to Mary Queen of Scots for 16 years. When he died Bess built Hardwick Hall, designed for a future Queen, her grand-daughter Arbella Stuart! Known as 'more glass than wall', with its tall, diamond-shaped windows its 167 foot long gallery is the largest to have survived.

Hardwick Hall included the largest textile collection privately owned. Ten years later Bess died in 1608.

Our next meeting will be on 16 December 7.30pm on 'Medieval Christmas Customs' at the Church Hall, Bidford www.bidfordhistory.org.uk

JUDY SMITH