George Talbot, 6th Earl of Shrewsbury

George Talbot, 6th Earl of Shrewsbury, was an English nobleman who was born on August 30, 1528. He was the eldest son of Francis Talbot, 5th Earl of Shrewsbury, and his wife, Mary Dacre. In 1560, George Talbot married Bess of Hardwick, one of the wealthiest women in England. Together, they had several children, but their marriage was plagued by financial troubles and tensions over Bess's ambitious building projects. Talbot was also a prominent figure in Elizabethan England, serving as a Member of Parliament and as Lord Lieutenant of Derbyshire. However, he is perhaps best known for his role as custodian of Mary, Queen of Scots, who was imprisoned at various locations under his watch. Talbot's relationship with Mary was complicated. He initially treated her with leniency and allowed her some freedoms, but their relationship soured over time, partly due to tensions with his wife, Bess. Talbot also struggled with the costs of Mary's imprisonment and repeatedly requested additional funds from Queen Elizabeth I. Talbot died on November 18, 1590. His son, Gilbert Talbot, inherited his title and also served as custodian of Mary, Queen of Scots.