Elizabeth Hardwick, better known as Bess of Hardwick was one of the most notable women in Elizabethan times. Through a series of well-made marriages she was second in wealth only to Queen Elizabeth I – and Hardwick Hall was one of her homes. Notable features are the many large windows which were a great extravagance at the time because glass was extremely expensive. Amusingly, this led to the rhyme, ‘Hardwick Hall, more glass than wall.’
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