Your search for "Bess as mistress: letters between Bess and her servants" returned 29 letters.
Bess (Lady Cavendish) writes to her servant Francis Whitfield concerning the management of Chatsworth, and asks him to look after everything until her aunt (Marcella Linacre) arrives. Among her instructions to Whitfield are that he is to take only wooden 'cleats or boards' not needed for the ongoing building works at Chatsworth; to brew beer, especifically for her and her husband William Cavendish; to repair her bedroom; and to pay her midwife. She also reprimands him for not supplying her sister Jane (née Hardwick) with 'things needful for her'.
William Marchington, a servant, writes to Bess (Lady St. Loe) from Chatsworth with news about the children's health and education, building materials, the orchard, cattle, and other domestic matters. A postscript relates that James Crompe, another servant, is ill.
Bess (Lady St. Loe) instructs her servant James Crompe on the management of several builders; and perceives how 'Sir James is much misliked for his religion but I think his wisdom is such that he will make small account of that matter'. She also relates a message for her aunt Marcella Linacre about a garden for the new house, enclosing '3 bundles of garden seeds'.
Bess (Lady St. Loe) writes to her servant Francis Whitfield with instructions for the battlement at Chatsworth. A postscript asks him to 'tell Bess Knolles and Frank that I say if they play their virginals that they are good girls'.
James Crompe, a servant, writes to Bess (Lady St. Loe) regarding the education of her sons, the selling of sheep, and some previous letters passed between them.
Edward Foxe, a servant, writes to Bess (Lady St. Loe) in response to a letter from her, refuting accusations that he is frequently absent and negligent in his work. In particular, he relates details of his diligence in looking after the rabbit warrens and protecting them from local dogs.
James Crompe, a servant, writes to Bess (Lady St. Loe) to confirm receipt of various books sent to him and to inform her of building works at Chatsworth, as well as other domestic matters.
Henry Cavendish writes to his mother, Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), regrettably reporting a squabble between some of his servants which has resulted in a sword duel and the death of one of them. Bess forwards the letter to her husband, George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, expressing her own sentiments in a postscript to him (and asking that he 'return this').
Edward Manners, third earl of Rutland, writes to Bess (countess of Shewsbury), to recommend the bearer, one Mistress Higgens, who was servant to Manner's late aunt (Lady Gertrude, the former countess of Shrewsbury). Manners asks Bess to show Mistress Higgens 'good furtherance' (that is, help or aid) and to consider her claim to 'aparaunt' (that is, her right to remain employed in the family's service).
Richard Cavendish writes to Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), asking her to take his niece into her service.
George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, writes to his wife, Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), that he intends to send her horses to bring her to him, 'for I think it long until you come'. One 'Kyrkle the Receivers man' has come for rents, saying Bess called him 'knave' - George tells her, 'I paid the knave your rent'. There is an outbreak of measles in the house and his 'colic is grievous'.
George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, writes to his wife and 'sweetheart', Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), thanking God for sending her to him in his 'oldest years'. He returns a letter by Elizabeth Wingfield concerning his custodianship of Mary Queen of Scots, which contains rumours 'of this queen's going from me'; and forwards a letter by John Kniveton, so she may hear the rumours 'of the young king'. Thanking her for the 'fat capon', he sends along with the letter 'a pheasant cock'.
Gilbert Talbot writes to his stepmother and mother-in-law, Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), regarding the state of the Goodrich Castle estate and thanks her for the furniture she has given to him and his wife, Mary (Bess's daughter). He also writes at length about various provisions of fabric.
Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) writes to Lord Thomas Paget regarding her servant, Robinson, who has been accused of murder. She requests Paget 'to stand his good lord', for she would 'gladly do the poor man good in this case'.
Bess's husband, George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, writes to Thomas Baldwin, his servant, with instructions for settling financial and business matters, including some with Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), who needs £100 for a new year's gift for the queen. In a postcript, Bess asks Baldwin for speedy payment, and that the money be given to her son, William Cavendish.
John Kniveton, a servant, writes to Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) to confirm that he has 'delivered the venison [pies] according to your ladyship's letter'; however, some of the pies were mouldy and 'not worth the giving'. He has also spoken with Master Sackford who, having heard 'evil speeches' about the earl of Shrewsbury (Bess's husband, George Talbot) in court from tenant 'inhabitants about the forest', plainly told Kniveton how 'hateful a thing it was before God and men to distress the poor'.
Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) writes to Thomas Baldwin, her husband's servant, reprimanding him for not ensuring that her son Henry Cavendish 'subscribe the writing as was my lord's pleasure'. He is to secure the signature by dedimus potestatis, otherwise Henry is to come to London. The letter has three postscripts, two by Bess's husband, George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury (one to do with the dedimus potestatis, the other asking Baldwin to send ginger in syrup), and one by Bess.
Bess's husband, George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, writes to his servant, Thomas Baldwin, with instructions to buy him a Spanish leather jerkin and to have his cloak mended. He will leave other matters to their meeting in Whitsun week. In a postscript, Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) describes how she opened the letter by mistake, thinking it for her. She also asks after her daughter, Frances Pierrepont (née Cavendish).
Bess's husband, George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, writes to his servant, Thomas Baldwin, to do with various matters, including arrearages for greyhounds, a proposed list of commissioners for Wollaton (Nottinghamshire), and instructions for payments to Lady Monteagle. He asks Baldwin to 'commend me to my boys' and give each of them £10 'by my wife's request'. Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) adds, 'I pray God to bless them both'.
Gilbert Talbot writes a long letter to his stepmother and mother-in-law, Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), relating various news, mostly to do with conversations between himself, his father (Bess's husband), George (sixth earl of Shrewsbury), and the earl of Rutland at Worksop. Rutland has invited Gilbert to come to see him in Newark, but Gilbert wonders whether Bess thinks the queen would approve, 'considering what speeches she used to me of him'. The letter is also signed by Gilbert's wife, Mary (née Cavendish; Bess's daughter).