ON THIS DAY - 13 February 1608

On This Day (13 February) in 1608, Elizabeth Talbot, Countess of Shrewsbury, Elizabethan courtier and builder, better known as 'Bess of Hardwick', died at her home Hardwick "New' Hall, Derbyshire, being in her 80s (her exact year of birth not being known).

'Portrait of an Unidentified Widow (known as Elizabeth Hardwick, c.1527–1608, Countess of Shrewsbury, 'Bess of Hardwick')' Artist: Cornelius Johnson, c. 1618 © National Trust Images

Bess had outlived her fourth husband, George Talbot, 6th Earl of Shrewsbury, who had died in 1590. As the Dowager Countess of Shrewsbury, she returned to her birthplace of Hardwick in Derbyshire, where she oversaw the building of the grand Elizabethan building, Hardwick 'New' Hall, where she spend the majority of her latter years.

Hardwick New Hall © English Heritage

Bess's physical health had started to deteriorate at the end of December 1607, when she became unwell with a sore throat and bronchial issues. She was being treated by Dr Hunton of nearby Sheffield, her personal physician of 10 years, who used a variety of treatments to try and treat her ailments, including inducing sweating. By 02 February, Dr Hunton had moved into Hardwick Hall, to provide care to Bess in her final days.

In response to the news of their mother's failing health, three of Bess's children from her second marriage - William, Charles and Mary Cavendish (as well as Mary's husband and Bess's stepson Gilbert, now the 7th Earl of Shrewsbury) - made their way to Hardwick. Time was spent with William, her second son, as Bess believed that he was the one to continue her building legacy, rather than her eldest son Henry (whom she had earlier described as “my bad son Henry”); Bess had been an ambitious builder throughout her long life, overseeing the construction of a number of grand houses, including Chatsworth and Hardwick.

'William Cavendish, 1st Earl of Devonshire (1551–1625), aged 25'. Unknown Artist, 1576 © National Trust Images

In her final days, Bess appeared to experience episodes of delirium: she appeared confused and disorientated at times, as well as paranoid, believing that the water supply had been poisoned. Bess eventually died at Hardwick at approx 5 o'clock in the afternoon on 13 February 1608, the three children continuing to be in attendance.

Bess of Hardwick Tomb Effigy, Derby Cathedral © English Heritage

Following her death, Bess's body was embalmed and her coffin draped in black velvet; it lay in rest at Hardwick for over 2 months until burial. A memorial service was held on 01 March 1608 in Derby, with her funeral later held on 04 May - Bess had commissioned the construction of a tomb, topped with an effigy, at All Saints Church in Derby (since rebuilt as Derby Cathedral), during her lifetime, with her final resting place being an vault underneath.