Death of George Talbot, 6th Earl of Shrewsbury
? Death of George Talbot, 6th Earl of Shrewsbury ?
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? George Talbot, 6th Earl of Shrewsbury, 6th Earl of Waterford, 12th Baron Talbot, was best known for his tenure as keeper of Mary, Queen of Scots between 1568 and 1585, and his marriage to his second wife Elizabeth Talbot – Bess of Hardwick.
? Upon the death of his first wife, Gertrude Manners, George was immediately taken by Bess of Hardwick.
In early 1568 he married her in a double wedding with their two eldest children, from previous marriages.
? Queen Elizabeth I imposed the responsible task of guarding Mary Queen of Scots on George, and did not allow him to resign this position for over 15 years.
Mary arrived at Tutbury Castle on 2nd February 1569, but in June George moved her to Wingfield Manor, where an attempt to rescue Mary was attempted by Leonard Dacre.
? George had several houses and castles in which Mary might be kept, and in September the household was back again at Tutbury, Mary’s most hated ‘prison’
In November the Northern Rebellion planned to march on Tutbury, and release Mary.
Mary was moved to Coventry, and in May 1570 was moved again to Chatsworth.
Shortly afterwards, Mary was again on the move, this time to Sheffield Castle.
? At Sheffield, apart from occasional visits to the baths at Buxton, to Chatsworth, or to the old Hardwick Hall, Mary remained under George’s guardianship for the next fourteen years.
George’s health suffered as keeper of the Queen of Scots.
Her constant demands for her ‘luxuries’ took a toll on his finances.
Subsequently, George’s marriage with Bess of Hardwick, became rocky, and began to deteriorate around 1583.
? Queen Elizabeth attempted to reconcile George and Bess, however, while Bess was in support of this, George seems to have remained indignant.
He would spend his final years without Bess, instead seeking the comfort of Eleanor Britton, one of his servants.
? After the conviction of Mary for her role in the Babington Plot, George participated in her trial.
He was one of the official witnesses to her exEcution at Fotheringhay Castle on 8th February 1587.
? George Talbot, 6th Earl of Shrewsbury died on 18th November 1590.
He was buried in the Shrewsbury chapel at Sheffield Parish Church (now Sheffield Cathedral), where a large monument erected to him can still be seen.