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 Sir John Thynne, builder of Longleat, and his first wife Christian (née Gresham), asking them to spare her 'your plasterer' the one who 'flowered your hall' (that is, decorated with ornate plaster-mould cornicing, decked flowers). Bess requests that either he be sent directly to her in London, or that he report to James Crompe at Chatsworth.

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'.

An unidentified author writes to Bess (Lady St. Loe), expressing assurance that the approaching completion of Chatsworth will further her good health; adding some advisement to do with her husband, Sir William St. Loe's finances.

Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) writes to Robert Dudley, earl of Leicester, complaining about the delayed delivery of his latest letters concerning the imminent arrival of Mary Queen of Scots at Tutbury Castle.

George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, writes to his wife, Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), addressing her requests for 'iron [from] my smithies' and 'oats for seed'. Also relates how 'this lady [presumably Mary Queen of Scots] has been sick since you went'. He too has been ill as 'I have been too bold with herring which has made me sick all night'.

George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, writes to his wife, Bess (countess of Shrewsbury), about the offal (edible animal parts) he sends her weekly and conflicts between their building works due to scarcity of workmen, which she tends to keep for herself. He also welcomes her son (which son is not specified) and his wife's upcoming visit, and asks her to take orders for linens which are currently missing in the house.

Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) writes to her husband, George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, thanking him for, and returning letters he has sent to her, saying 'they require no answer'. She asks after timber and iron, as well as money he promised her to buy oxen. The earl's son Gilbert (Talbot) has been troubled with his 'old disease' and the last batch of malt to come was 'very ill and stinking'. The lack of provision and drink makes her think he 'mind not to come'.

Bess's husband, George, sixth earl of Shrewsbury, writes to William Cecil, Lord Burghley, expressing his trust in Burghley's good influence with the queen to show goodwill towards Bess's daughter Elizabeth, countess of Lennox, and grand-daughter, Arbella Stuart. He proposes to send lead for Burghley's building projects by midsummer. Bess (countess of Shrewsbury) adds a postscript, thanking Burghley for another instance where he spoke to the queen on Bess's daughter, Elizabeth's behalf.

Bess (dowager countess of Shrewsbury) writes to Richard Bagot regarding a workman named Tuft who has 'dealt very badly and lewdly with me'.

Sir William Cobham writes Bess (dowager countess of Shrewsbury) to thank her for permitting certain 'black stone' for his building works to be retrieved from her grounds.