*** Note: this page was part of the AQA Historic Environment topic for 2023. See Drake and the Circumnavigation for 2024. ***

George Talbot, the Earl of Shrewsbury, was a member of the nobility who was chosen as a guardian to keep Mary Queen of Scots captive by Queen Elizabeth I.

He was chosen for the following reasons:

He was a high-ranking nobleman of immense wealth, so he could afford the expense of keeping Mary Queen of Scots captive.
He was very loyal to Queen Elizabeth I and she said that she 'trusted him more than most others.'
He was a commited Protestant but some of his family worshipped in a more Catholic way. Therefore, he would be tolerant of Mary Queen of Scots.
His estates were in the midlands, so Mary Queen of Scots could be kept away from Catholics in Elizabeth's court in London and away from the threat of Spanish or French Catholics arriving at the coast to support her.
He was married to Elizabeth, Countess of Shrewsbury, also known as Bess of Hardwick, who was trusted by the Queen.

Elizabeth, Countess of Shrewsbury, was highly regarded by Queen Elizabeth I and she thought Elizabeth would make a very good companion for Mary Queen of Scots. For example, they were able to do embroidery together.

GCSE Elizabethan England 1568-1603 AQA

Who were the owners of Sheffield Manor Lodge?