A new exhibition event at Chesterfield’s Hardwick Hall in Derbyshire, will offer visitors the rare opportunity to view a gown that was worn by the famed Bess of Hardwick more than 400 years ago.
The event is opening on Saturday 2 May, Bess’s Dream brings a fresh insight into the life of one of the wealthiest and most powerful figures of the Elizabethan era. It shows another side to Bess’s life, revealing more about the real Bess and the importance of family to her.
A large part of the exhibition is set in Bess’s bedchamber within the grand Elizabethan mansion that she built – now in the care of the National Trust. The exhibition includes a short, animated film inspired by the many letters Bess wrote and received over the years offering a glimpse into her life and family relationships.
The robe though is at the heart of the exhibition and is a rare survivor of its time.
Visitors will be able to see up-close the violet satin dress that is recorded in Hardwick’s inventories of 1601. It has recently returned to Hardwick after undergoing conservation work at the National Trust Conservation Studio on the Blickling Estate in Norfolk.
Meanwhile, the film will offer the chance for visitors to immerse themselves in Bess’s life. Using extracts from Bess’s letters, it explores the memories that might have surfaced in her dreams during her final days.
Elena Williams, Collections and House Manager at Hardwick, said: “This gown is far more than simply a piece of clothing. It is extraordinarily rare. Textiles during this period were incredibly valuable and were often passed down or even repurposed, meaning that few examples remain today.
“It survived thanks to Evelyn, the last Duchess to live at Hardwick, who recognised its significance and took steps to store it away and preserve it. Without her intervention, this piece of history may have been lost forever.”
She added: “The gown connects us directly to Bess of Hardwick’s world and invites us to consider the real Bess. She is often portrayed as a formidable and ambitious woman, but this exhibition reveals far more about the real Bess. It highlights her role as a mother who placed great importance on her family in her life.”
The exhibition, titled Bess’ Dream, will open on 2 May and runs until 30 October. Details about admission to Hardwick Hall and its wider estate can be found on the National Trust website: www.nationaltrust.org.uk/hardwick
