Hardwick Hall Flashcards
(12 cards)
Rise in the gentry - context
Bess had been born into lower gentry but rose to become the 2nd richest woman in England through 4 marriages
Her brother was bankrupt
Gentry wanted to show wealth through grand homes
Bess married into one of the oldest/richest families
She had influential friends
Rise in the gentry - hardwick hall
Height of ceilings and size of windows increase with the height of the house - shows status in society
Sergents lived on the ground floor
New fashion/architectural styles - context
Gentry wanted to show modern style/balance/order in society
Designed by Robert smythson
Took 7 years to build
New fashion/architectural styles - hardwick hall
Loggia (pillars) outside of the house
Renaissance style
Tapestries/long gallery
Symmetrical/balance style
H shaped
Flues inside the building to keep external symmetry
Stone spiral 🌀 staircases
Prosperity of owners - context
2nd richest woman
Wanted to show wealth
Bess owned farmland, coal mines, glass works, iron foundries, ships
Invested in new projects
Lead became higher demand
Prosperity of owners - hardwick hall
Used expensive materials
97 paintings
Large gardens/long gallery - 162 feet
Tapestries with silk thread
Gardens with avaries/ponds/orchards
Used sophisticated ideas like literature/mythology in decoration
Large windows
Legacy of owners - context
Wanted a memorable legacy - hardwick hall still known today
Bess had 8 children
Her granddaughter lived there after she died
Designed to show status
Legacy of owners - hardwick hall
Coat of arms in tapestries
67 portraits - power to send a message
Great chamber to receive guests
Initials ES on rooftops
Great staircase/hall
Support for Elizabeth - context
Wanted to win Elizabeth’s favour, increase status
Married one of Elizabeth’s favourite courtiers
Guarded Mary (cousin) for 16 years
Bess was friends with: William Cecil, Robert Dudley, Francis walsingham
“There is no lady in this land that I better love or like” - Elizabeth
Support for Elizabeth - hardwick hall
There was a top flood room for Elizabeth if she ever visited on a progress
Designed with the royal coat of arms
Full length portrait of Elizabeth
Portraits of William Cecil and the Virgin Mary
New technology - context
Wanted to show wealth
Hall couldn’t have been build without new technology
Bess owned coal mines, glass works, iron foundries
New technology - hardwick hall
Glass, iron, wood, slate, clay, stone, bricks
New more efficient gently sloping lead roofs
Windows for warmth and light
