Page "Bess of Hardwick" Paragraph 8

Despite being courted by several suitors, Bess remained single for a relatively long time, until 1568, when she married for the fourth time to become Countess of Shrewsbury.

Her new husband, George Talbot, 6th Earl of Shrewsbury, was one of the premier aristocrats of the realm, and the father of seven children by his first marriage.

Indeed, two of his children were married to two of hers in a double ceremony in February 1568: Bess's daughter Mary Cavendish, aged 12, was given in marriage to Shrewsbury's eldest son Gilbert, aged 16 ; while Bess's son, Sir Henry Cavendish, aged 18, married Shrewsbury's daughter Lady Grace Talbot, aged 8.