Our travels continue!

Ww are now in our final days here in Middleton by Youlgreave and enjoying glorious weather. It's low to mid twenties every day and sunshine from 4.40 am to 10.00pm. There is also a fresh cool breeze which is appreciated on our walks. Earlier in the week we explored a Neolithic burial and ritual site about 5 kms away - referred to locally as the Stonehenge  of the north!! It was quite insignificant really as the stones, although in a circle were small and flat. 
Our favourite excursion this week was to Hardwick Hall the home of Bess of Hardwick, one of the wealthiest women in Elizabethan times and a formidable rival of Elizabeth 1st. Her story covers so much of the politics of the times as she was married 4 times and each marriage touched upon significant events of the time. For the history buffs, read The Other Queen by Phillipa Gregory and Mary S Lovell - Bess of Hardwick. I read both books last year a d found them fascinating, 
The hall and the surrounding park gave us a wonderful day out. Firstly there was an hour's walk through the woods and lakes before the Hall opened. We enjoyed out chat with the NT volunteers both on arrival and in the hall.  
There are two halls on the site, the first is the old hall, now in ruins where Bess was born and lived as a girl. The second is the house she built when she left her 4th husband, the Earl of Shrewsbury who was bankrupting himself as the guardian of Mary Queen of Scots which was threatening her wealth!  
The story of the actual building of the house tells of a first in architectural history- an architect was employed - a new profession.
Inside the hall, there is a wealth of magnificent tapestries from some of the most famous workshops in Europe  mot only those made on a loom but stunning creations in applique. There is a framed piece in needlepoint done by Mary Queen of Scots when she was confined in  Chatsworth house one of Bess' properties she inherited from her first husband. Incidently, she had 8 children by this man, William Cavendish who are the ancestors of the present Dukes of Devonshire at Chatsworth. So much history but here are the photos.
The new hall built in 1583,
Tapestry in applique.
Mary Queen of Scots needlepoint. 
Mary Queen of cabinet  thought to be an altar.
Words and photos do not fo this place justice!?

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