Archives abroad: Bess of Hardwick's letters at the National Archives

The correspondence of Bess of Hardwick (Elizabeth, countess of Shrewsbury) will be explored in a new exhibition at The National Archives – “Unsealed: The Letters of Bess of Hardwick”.

One of Elizabethan England's most famous figures, Bess of Hardwick was an influential matriarch and dynast, lady at Elizabeth I's court, and the builder of great stately homes like Hardwick Hall. She wrote hundreds of letters throughout her life - they were her lifeline to her travelling children and husbands, to the court at London and news from the world at large.

A display of portraits and letter facsimiles in our reading rooms will bring Bess and her correspondents to life, and visitors can further explore Bess's world through a series of podcasts on food, fashion and gossip - available via listening stations in the reading rooms.

Bess's letters are now housed in many different archives and libraries across the world, including The National Archives. A further display of original letters will be shown in our newly refurbished museum “The Keeper's Gallery” which will open by January 2013.

“Unsealed: The Letters of Bess of Hardwick” can be seen at The National Archives from Tuesday 27 November 2012 to the end of February 2013.