Greenhill Village History Society

Whilst young, Bess married a younger man called Robert Barley (or Barlow.) He died within a year and it took Bess several years before she gained the widow’s pension to which she was entitled. She then spent time in service with the Grey family. It was here that she met her much older second husband who was the courtier Sir William Cavendish with whom she had 8 children. He sold his southern estates and purchased the Chatsworth estates. He died ten years later leaving Bess with huge debts. Her third husband was Sir William St. Loe who was Captain of the Queen’s Guard and who generously settled all her debts. He owned many large estates and after about five years of marriage he was poisoned by his brother who hoped to gain the inheritance. Unfortunately for him William had left everything to Bess making her the second most wealthy woman in England. About four years later Bess married her final husband, George Talbot. He was the richest courtier and very loyal to the Queen. It appeared to be a very happy marriage until the couple were entrusted with the custody of Mary, Queen of Scots. This eventually took its toll both on the marriage and on his wealth and health. Bess spent her days building her new mansion Hardwick Hall. After his death in 1590 she mainly lived at Hardwick where she died in 1608.