Your search for "Bess as dowager countess of Shrewsbury" returned 65 letters.
Bess (dowager countess of Shrewsbury) writes to Sir Robert Cecil, asking him to favour her cause regarding family lands, as her stepson and son-in-law, Gilbert Talbot, seventh earl of Shrewsbury, 'goeth about to overthrow the estate of some lands formerly conveyed to my children'. She refers Cecil to her son, William Cavendish, who will explain the matter further.
Charles Cavendish reports to his mother, Bess (dowager countess of Shrewsbury), on a visit he and his brother William Cavendish paid to Mistress Dales regarding a marriage arrangement for the latter's daughter (the man in question is not specified). William bought a jewel for the daughter and presented it in Bess's name; however, it was refused as both the mother and father wish Bess to come to them herself before they proceed. Furthermore, Mistress Dales thinks Bess ought to approach the queen for her consent of the match, as Bess is 'fittest and best able to attain it soonest'.
Bess (dowager countess of Shrewsbury) writes to Sir Robert Cecil concerning her children's lands, which have recently been 'passed under the great seal by the earl of Shrewsbury [Gilbert Talbot] in two of his servants' names, most unconscionably and unnaturally'. She has heard Cecil does not like the manner in which her son, William Cavendish, proceeds in the matter, but asks Cecil to 'make the best construction' of him.
William Cavendish writes to his mother, Bess (dowager countess of Shrewsbury), about various lawsuits in London, including those to do with 'concealments' (i.e. The unlawful withholding of land) in the Star Chamber and a suit in the Chancery between Mr. Barlow and Mr. Blunt (who 'liketh to be defended by the earl of Shrewsbury [Bess's stepson and son-in-law, Gilbert Talbot]'). The queen will be at Whitehall tomorrow and the Moscovy ambassador is expected. William also thanks Bess 'for the hands of the three little honest folks subscribed in your Ladyship's letter'.
Lady Dorothy Stafford reports that she has presented Bess (dowager countess of Shrewsbury) and her grand-daughter, Arbella Stuart's new year's gifts to the queen. The queen has said she will 'be careful' of (i.e. act favourably for) Arbella and has sent her a token, albeit not as 'good as her Ladyship deserveth'. Lady Stafford asks Bess to keep the contents of the letter secret.
Bess (dowager countess of Shrewsbury) writes to Sir Robert Cecil, asking him for continued support for her sons in their cause, which involves 'her Majesty's Commission for Confirmation of Patents'.
Sir John Manners writes to Bess (dowager countess of Shrewsbury) in reply to a letter of hers regarding Sir Edward Dyer acting as executor of a Master Beresford. To aid Dyer in his office, Manners has sent two of his servants to Birchover (Derbyshire), 'who do their part honestly for they have found a good portion of wool that was hid in a rock'. This letter is a reply to letter ID 241.
Sir John Stanhope and Sir Robert Cecil write to Bess (dowager countess of Shrewsbury) by commandment of the queen, regarding Bess's granddaughter Arbella Stuart - namely to do with how 'some base companions (thinking it pleasing to her youth and sex) to be sought in marriage, were content to abuse her with a device that the earl of Hertford had a purpose to match his grandchild with her'. They assure her that Hertford had no such intention and request Bess to assign some members of her household to keep a close, however discreet, watch over Arbella. As for Bess's request to be 'freed of her', the queen can think of no other fit place for Arbella.
Bess (dowager countess of Shrewsbury) writes to Elizabeth I concerning her granddaughter, Arbella Stuart's troublesome conduct. Bess asks that Arbella 'may be placed elsewhere, to learn to be more considerate', either employed as an attendant to the queen or given to someone in marriage.
Bess (dowager countess of Shrewsbury) asks Sir Robert Cecil to redress accusations made against the bearer, her son, by a Master Thomas Gerrard.
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'.
Arbella Stuart writes to her grandmother, Bess (dowager countess of Shrewsbury), what seems to be an apologetic letter (but also with the queen as a reader in mind) to 'set down the true reasons of this my proceeding' - namely to do with offences related to dealings for a match between her and the earl of Hertford's grandson. Dismissing the latter's 'discourteous dealing with me', Arbella invents a fictional lover, 'a noble gentleman whose name I conceal'. This (ID 141) is the sent letter written in Arbella's own hand; ID 142 is a contemporary copy made by one of Sir Robert Cecil's scribes.
A copy of letter ID 141. Sir Robert Cecil's copy of Arbella Stuart's letter to her grandmother, Bess (dowager countess of Shrewsbury), regarding clandestine dealings to do with a match between her and the young Edward Seymour, Lord Hertford; and a fictional lover.
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.
Sir John Stanhope and Sir Robert Cecil write a letter to Bess (dowager countess of Shrewsbury) to accompany the letter bearer, Sir Henry Brounker, who the queen has sent in accordance with Bess and her granddaughter, Arbella Stuart's previous requests. It is clear by Arbella's declaration (ID 141) that some 'vain humours do possess' her mind and it is therefore difficult to 'resolve precisely what should be done' until Brounker can report further.
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.
Lords of the Council write to Bess (dowager countess of Shrewsbury) regarding her troublesome granddaughter, Arbella Stuart, instructing Bess to keep her pacified and to allow the letter bearer (unspecified, but 'known to us to be of good religion') to see Arbella as often as she will admit him. They also suggest that Bess's son, William Cavendish, attend to the matter more than he does and ask Bess to remind another son, Henry Cavendish, of his duty to respond to charges made against him at court.