A London Visit, 1591

Widowed for the fourth time, ‘Bess of Hardwick’ came to London for the last time; D.N. Durant writes how this visit shows the Countess of Shrewsbury to have been intent upon legal business over her estates.

On November 18th, 1590, George Talbot, sixth Earl of Shrewsbury died. His wife, Bess of Hardwick, became a widow for the fourth time. His death was no loss to her; it was a decided advantage, and she was not to miss him. The previous six years had been filled with unseemly public wrangling which culminated in their separation - a breach which Queen Elizabeth unsuccessfully tried to heal. Bess had termed him ‘my unfortunate husband’.

In return, he had called her ‘a woman of so base a parentage’ that, so far as he was concerned, ‘no curse of plague on earth could be more grievous’ than she and that he ‘could not satisfy her greedy appetite’ - this in reference to money. The marriage had been a business transaction; both thought they were getting a financial advantage. The breakdown was inevitable and, like so many, was caused by disputes over money, which Bess ultimately won; for by his death the Earl released the marriage portion due to her.

To continue reading this article you need to purchase a subscription, available from only £5.

Start my trial subscription now

If you have already purchased access, or are a print & archive subscriber, please ensure you are logged in.

Please email digital@historytoday.com if you have any problems.