Hardwick Hall - The Extraordinary Rise From Farmer's Daughter To One Of England's Richest Women

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Hardwick Hall is one of England's most extraordinary Elizabethan houses - but the real story begins with the remarkable woman who built it.

Born around 1527 to a relatively modest family of Derbyshire gentleman farmers, Elizabeth Hardwick - better known as Bess of Hardwick - rose through Elizabethan society to become one of the wealthiest and most powerful women in England.

In this film, we explore the extraordinary life of Bess: her four marriages, her relationship with the court of Elizabeth I, her rise in wealth and influence, and how she transformed her childhood home into the magnificent Hardwick Hall we see today.

We'll step inside this extraordinary Elizabethan house, explore its famous "more glass than wall" architecture and discover why Bess's initials, ES, were so prominently displayed across the building.

We'll also explore Hardwick's remarkable collection of Elizabethan tapestries and textiles, including the magnificent Gideon tapestries that dominate the Long Gallery, as well as the embroidered hangings depicting powerful women from the ancient world.

Nearly five centuries later, Hardwick Hall remains remarkably connected to the woman who created it. Her portrait, possessions, textiles and even her private bedroom survive - and walking through the house offers an extraordinary glimpse into the world of one of Elizabethan England's most formidable women.