Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire, England.

Built between 1591 and 1597 by Elizabeth, Countess of Shrewsbury.

(Bess of Hardwick, 1520- 1608).

Hardwick Hall is possibly the finest example of Elizabethan architecture in England.

The house replaced an earlier house (Hardwick Old Hall) the ruins of which still stand on the Hardwick Estate. Hardwick Estate lands were the hereditary lands of her family.

Bess, built the house in her later years after amassing a fortune and outliving four husbands. Her sons became the beginnings of the Cavendish dynasty, which now are represented by the Dukes of Devonshire, resident at Chatsworth, another residence of Bess.

Hardwick Hall was largely influenced by her personal wishes and is "more glass than wall", but the master builder cum architect was Robert Smythson.

He was responsible for a number of houses in the locality and a visit to Hardwick and other houses in the locality provides a view of some fine architecture.

YOU MAY ALSO BE INTERESTED IN THE INFORMATION ON BOLSOVER CASTLE. ANOTHER SMYTHSON HOUSE OF SLIGHTLY LATER PERIOD.
click here for Bolsover Castle