Bess of Hardwick bought the manor from the Savage family in 1593 and called it "Oldcotes" in her time, the modern spelling of the site is "Owlcotes".
Details in the building contract, and an image drawn on a 1659 estate plan, are compatible with a drawing by Smythson in the RIBA collection.
In September 1599 William Cavendish paid for a table for the Low Great Chamber, indicating that the work was nearing completion.
[7] Francis Leek wrote that Lady Cavendish was staying at Olcotes and unwell in July 1605 after an argument with Bess of Hardwick.
There were 40 stools with leather seats in the Long gallery where Pierrepont played billiards.