Bess of Hardwick - First Marriage

First Marriage

While in London, Bess contracted the first of four marriages, to 14-year-old Robert Barlow, heir to a neighbouring estate, and became Elizabeth Barlow. It is thought that the couple lived at his ancestral manor house, Barlow Woodseats Hall, before his death in 1544. The marriage was never consummated because of their youth and Robert's sickly health. As Robert's widow, Bess was entitled to one-third of the revenues of the Barlow estate.