MPW’s GCSE Year 11 History students were treated to a tour of the National Trust property Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire in December.

Despite there being an amber weather alert for strong winds, the student’s braved the cold to explore their AQA Historic Environment, to examine the relationship between a specific place and historical events and developments. This year’s cohort’s focus is on the Elizabethan manor house Hardwick Hall, which was built in 1590 and modelled on the ‘Old’ Hardwick Hall built between 1587-96 which is opposite this magnificent grand house. The ‘new’ hall demonstrates the new styles and techniques of design that were being created during 1558-1603. The students were led on a teacher led tour, with extra stories being told, as the hall was the History teacher’s first job after graduating university, giving the students the chance to explore the fascinating history of Elizabeth ‘Bess’ of Hardwick and the hall.

The students have learnt the background of Bess, how she was born into a respectable family in 1527, with the expectation of marrying well, to elevate her family, as this was the expectation for women during the Elizabethan Age.  Married at 15 to her first husband, Bess slowly began to work her way up the social ladder. Shortly after the death of her 1st husband, Bess became a lady-in-waiting to the mother of Lady Jane Grey (or the 9-day Queen), where she met her 2nd husband, who she convinced in 1549 to buy Chatsworth estate in Derbyshire. At 30 years old in 1557 Bess was widowed for the second time, allowing her to marry her wealthy 3rd husband who was the Captain of Queen Elizabeth I’s guards. When he died in 1565, she was now an extremely wealthy widow and could have lived independently, however, it would be her 4th marriage that would make Bess one of the most powerful women in England. In 1568, Bess married the 6th Earl of Shrewsbury, making her the Countess of Shrewsbury, however, this marriage would become strained due to the pressure of Queen Elizabeth I. Bess and her husband were tasked with being the custodian (and spy) of Mary Queen of Scots, paying for her imprisonment and safety, after 15 years Mary, nearly drained them of their resources and rumours of adultery of Mary and the Earl were wide spread at court. In 1590 Bess’s husband died, with even more wealth, she built a new hall, that would have no compromises and be the grandest house in Derbyshire. Bess fell out of favour with the Queen, when she married her daughter to Charles Stuart, hoping her granddaughter would be able claim the throne of England. Bess died in 1608, aged 80 years old leaving a legacy marked all over Derbyshire.

Hardwick Hall was built using the new achievements of the time, which the students were able to explore and compare to the ‘Old’ hall. The Hall is often referred to as ‘More glass than wall’, due to the impressive high windows on each side, with the interior of the house, having grand guest rooms, a throne room and a long gallery for indoor activities. Bess lavishly decorated the Hall, with tapestries and paintings. The students were mesmerised by the quality of the products and how with the dedication of conservation work, many items look brand new, rather than 400 years old.

During the trip the students debated on how the Hall demonstrated Bess’s taste, wealth and business acumen. This will be utilized during the GCSE Paper 2 exam, in which they will be given a statement about the property for them to assess.

The Historic Environment focus changes every year, and we look forward to arranging a trip next year for the focus on The Globe Theatre, London.