Assignment #2: Hardwick Hall

Set high on a hill in north-east Derbyshire, Hardwick is known as one of the greatest Elizabethan houses, which survives almost unchanged today. Completed over 400 years ago and known to have 'more glass than wall', the Hall contains one of Europe's best collections of embroideries and tapestries. The two massive country mansions stand as memorials to the notorious 'Bess of Hardwick'. The Hardwick family had owned and farmed the land since the 13th century, and Elizabeth was born in 1527 in the medieval manor house that once occupied the site. Bess went about restoring the Old Hall at Hardwick, but in 1590 after her husband died, she decided to build a much grander mansion to represent her worldly status. Bess flooded the new Hardwick Hall with her initials 'ES,' and adorned the walls with old tapestries and fine embroidery. In the 1800s, majority of the furniture that was brought in came from Chatsworth House. Hardwick is now open to the public. It has a fine garden, and the grounds still contain Hardwick Old Hall, the slightly earlier house which was used as guest and service accommodation after the new hall was built.