Bess (dowager countess of Shrewsbury) writes to Lady Kitson regarding covenants drawn up to do with 'assurances of land' upon the marriage (in 1582) of her son, Charles Cavendish, and his now deceased wife, Margaret (Lady Kitson's daughter). Bess requests Lady Kitson 'to look up the said obligation and articles and to deliver them to this bearer' as there is now need of them.

Bess (dowager countess of Shrewsbury) writes to John Manners to request he show good favour towards Edward Slater and his wife in their 'tedious and chargeable' suit with Lady Bowes.

Bess (dowager countess of Shrewsbury) writes to John Manners regarding the good news of 'fines set down' at court for several lords, which are listed. Among these lords is Roger Manners, earl of Rutland: Bess is glad he 'behaved himself so discreetly ... before the commissioners' and believes he will now be restored to the Queen's favour.

Bess (dowager countess of Shrewsbury) writes to John Manners to request his aid on behalf of Sir Edward Dyer, who is acting as executor of the will of a Master Beresford. In particular, Dyer suggests that 'if any person take any part of the goods away, their names may be taken and they put in bond to answer them'. For Manners' supportive reply, written the next day, see letter ID 044.

Bess (dowager countess of Shrewsbury) writes to Elizabeth I concerning her increasingly strained relationship with her grand-daughter, Arbella Stuart, 'for the bad persuasions of some have so estranged her mind and natural affection from me that she holds me the greatest enemy she has'. Bess considers a marriage the best option to deal with Arbella, writing that 'I should have little care how meanly soever she were bestowed, so as it were not offensive to your Highness'.

Bess (dowager countess of Shrewsbury) writes to Sir John Stanhope and Sir Robert Cecil, concerning her granddaughter, Arbella Stuart's declaration to do with secret dealings for a match between her and the earl of Hertford's grandson (see letter ID 141). Bess is confident Hertford himself had no knowledge of the match. Touching Arbella's new (and fictional) lover admitted to in her declaration, Bess writes that 'these strange courses are wonderful to me & cannot but greatly grieve me'. She thinks a commandment from the queen may be the only way of getting Arbella to tell the whole truth.

Bess (dowager countess of Shrewsbury) writes to Sir Robert Cecil to let him know that her granddaughter, Arbella Stuart, is prepared to 'make the party's name she favoreth known', as an enclosed letter from Arbella makes clear. Arbella trusts Sir Henry Brounker, who has spoken with her in the past, and asks that he be sent from the court to receive her statement in person.

Bess (dowager countess of Shrewsbury) writes to Sir Robert Cecil, informing him that her troublesome granddaughter, Arbella Stuart, has been sick with pain, which Bess suspects stems from her mind. Arbella asks to speak with Sir Henry Brounker or someone from the queen so that she may 'declare sundry things', and has vowed only to eat or drink again once that is accomplished. Bess asks for Cecil to send someone in haste.

Bess (dowager countess of Shrewsbury) writes to Sir John Stanhope and Sir Robert Cecil following the queen's agent, Sir Henry Brounker's visit to interrogate Bess's granddaughter, Arbella Stuart. The latter now refuses to name her supposed lover and threatens to 'perform her vow' if she is not allowed to leave Hardwick. Bess supports her removal, hoping that 'the change of place will work some alteration in her'; also writing that a few more weeks of this 'will make an end of me'.

Bess (dowager countess of Shrewsbury) writes to Sir Henry Brounker, the queen's agent, who has recently been investigating Bess's granddaughter, Arbella Stuart. Bess describes suspicious meetings Arbella has had with 'my bad son Henry [Cavendish]' and Henry Stapleton (whom Bess distrusts), as well as the correspondence she keeps 'up and down in the country'. Bess reiterates that she thinks Arbella ought to be removed from Hardwick before she escapes.

Bess (dowager countess of Shrewsbury) writes a short letter to John Manners to say she is glad to hear of his good health and that of 'my good brother Roger Manners [earl of Rutland]'. As for her own health, she thanks God it is as well as when Manners was last at Hardwick.