Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) writes to an unidentified addressee with advice on how to write a persuasive letter to one of her sons, suggesting that 'the more earnest and plain it is the more good it will do you'.

Bess, countess of Shrewsbury, writes a somewhat cryptic letter to Mary Queen of Scots, to do with 'your little poor creature' and other letters, which Bess has also sent. For the accompanying letter to Mary's servant, Gilbert Curle, see ID 243.

Bess, countess of Shrewsbury, writes a short message to Gilbert Curle, servant to Mary Queen of Scots, asking him to pass on her letter to the Scots Queen (ID 244) 'with that speed you may'.

Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) writes to her daughter Mary Talbot (née Cavendish), mentioning recent visitors, and asking Mary to send news that she and her husband, Gilbert Talbot, are well, 'else I shall not sleep quietly'. She reports that her grand-daughters Arbella (Stuart) and Mary (also Talbot) are both well.

Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) writes to her daughter, Mary Talbot (née Cavendish), with news that 'my sister Snow is dispatched from the court and gone into the country'; and that her own bodily pains (which she thinks are made worse by 'moist weather') are somewhat better now.

Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) writes to Sir Francis Walsingham, concerning her orphaned grand-daughter, Arbella Stuart's financial welfare, reiterating her suit to the queen that the annual £400 previously granted to Arbella's mother (Elizabeth, countess of Lennox) now go to her, in addition to £200 for 'her maintenance during her minority'. Letter ID 146 is a contemporary copy of this.

Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) writes to Sir Thomas Cornwallis following the death of Margaret Cavendish (née Kitson), wife of Bess's son Charles Cavendish, asking him to use his influence with Sir Thomas Kitson (Cornwallis's son-in-law) to ensure that Charles is treated 'as much to his commodity as that by her life might have come to him'. A postscript by Bess instructs, 'Good Jewel I pray you take pains to write out this too with your own hand'.

Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) writes to Sir Thomas Cornwallis, thanking him for 'finishing and perfecting of the books between my brother Sir Thomas Kitson and me' (in relation to marriage arrangements between Bess's son, Charles Cavendish, and Kitson's daughter, Margaret).

Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) writes to Sir Francis Walsingham regarding her nephew John Wingfield's marriage to the countess of Kent (Susan Bertie, widow of Reynold Grey de jure earl of Kent), which she has heard was not approved of by the queen.

Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) writes to Sir Francis Walsingham to 'unfold my strange miseries' (to do with marital discord with her husband, George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury) and to know 'what her Majesty is determined in this case'; asking for permission to let her sons 'seek their living in some other place'; and stating that she herself hopes to 'find some friend for meat and drink and so end my life'.

Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) writes to William Cecil, Lord Burghley, asking him to write to her husband George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, in the hopes that he may persuade 'my lord for my better usage', as George now threatens to take Chatsworth and claim rent on lands given to her sons over a decade ago. She writes that 'I would I had not lived to this day to have my husband at these hard terms with me'.

Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) writes to her husband, George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, amidst marital discord, beseeching him to 'give me liberty to come unto you', and claiming 'how I haue deserved your indignation is invisible to me'.

Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) writes to William Cecil, Lord Burghley, three years into her dispute over lands and money with her husband George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury. She is adamant to 'make a final end between my lord, me and my children of such wrongs as is done to us'. Although George had promised the queen that he would 'send often' for Bess, she has found that he 'will not suffer me to come to him'.

Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) writes to her husband, George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, amidst their prolonged discord, assuring him that she has been a good and faithful wife to him and recounting the ways in which he has wronged her. She finds herself in debt because he has sent her away, and hopes to live with him again, 'as we ought'.

Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) writes to Sir Francis Walsingham amidst trouble with her husband George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury; chiefly regarding his 'breach of her Majesty's order' and the ill conduct of George's bailiff, Copley, whom Bess asks not be allowed 'to go down until my Lord Treasurer and you may examine of both sides my Lord's [her husband's] dealings'.

Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) writes to William Cecil, Lord Burghley, referring to the 'miseries' and lack of true friends that have followed her estrangement from her husband, George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury; asking Burghley to 'give me leave by your favourable acceptance to put my whole trust and hope in your lordship for the restoring of the oppressed estate of me and mine'.

Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) writes to her husband, George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, regarding offences he has accused her of having 'committed since her Majesty reconciled us'.

Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) writes to William Cecil, Lord Burghley, thanking him for his support in the dispute with her husband (George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury) and for a letter sent to her via her son, William Cavendish. Since George has neglected her and withdrawn all his provisions, Bess asks Burghley to once again act on her behalf so that 'my long delayed matters may now receive end'.

Bess (dowager countess of Shrewsbury) writes to William Cecil, Lord Burghley, following the death of her husband, George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury. She hopes that all quarrel in her family has died with George, and thanks Burghley for the favour he has shown her.

Bess (dowager countess of Shrewsbury) writes to her daughter, Mary, countess of Shrewsbury, asking her to move her husband, Gilbert (seventh earl of Shrewsbury), to bring the murderer of Bess's 'cousin Leake' to 'due judgement'. Bess also warns to be wary of dealings with one Sir John Berrone, as the latter is thought to 'befriend' the man who committed the murder.