Venus in WinterBy: Gillian Bagwell The author of The September Queen explores Tudor England with the tale of Bess of Hardwickthe formidable four time widowed Tudor dynast who became one of the most powerful women in the history of England. On her twelfth birthday, Bess of Hardwick receives the news that she is to be a waiting gentlewoman in the household of Lady Zouche. Armed with nothing but her razor sharp wit and fetching looks, Bess is terrified of leaving home.