 The marital claims to Robert's estate were disputed, and following his death Bess was refused dower by Peter Freschevile.A court battle ensued, which resulted in Bess being awarded her claim on the Barley estate and compensation, albeit several years after Robert's death.On 20 August 1547, Bess married the twice-widowed Sir William Cavendish', Treasurer of the King's Chamber, and became Lady Cavendish.